TACKLE 45 



perfections are often discovered. From what re- 

 mains the skilled rod maker matches up as to tough- 

 ness, resiliency, etc., enough pieces to make a rod. 

 These pieces are carefully cured and then tied to- 

 gether in the form of a rod and again tested. At 

 this critical stage unforeseen imperfections may come 

 to light. If they finally come up to standard 

 the pieces are glued up and the rod making proceeds. 

 This, in a brief and general way, is the method of 

 making a fine hand-made split bamboo rod. The pieces 

 that were rejected in the various tests may go into 

 cheaper rods. From this the prospective rod buyer can 

 get an idea as to why bamboo rods vary so in price 

 and why certain makers, who have reputations to main- 

 tain, charge what appears to be a " stiff " price for 

 their output which, so far as surface appearances go, is 

 nothing extraordinary. A few makers also have secret 

 processes for improving bamboo. 



CHEAP BAMBOO RODS 



Unfortunately all anglers cannot afford to pay 

 twenty or more dollars for a fly rod and he then can 

 buy either a hand-made one of solid wood or a cheaper 

 one of bamboo. - 



As stated before, a fine hand-made bamboo rod is a 

 matter of selection but American factory efficiency has 

 been applied to producing rods as well as other things 

 and everything considered the present day machine- 

 made bamboo rod is surprisingly good for the money. 

 The splitting machines used in modern rod factories 



