36 ANGLER'S EQUIPMENT. 



are by no means partial to hollow butts ; they require 

 to be made so thick that they destroy the symmetry 

 of the rod, and they never bend from the hand as a 

 well-made rod should. It is only in Scotland that 

 hollow butts are much used. English anglers object 

 to them as destroying the bend of a rod, and carry a 

 spare point in the handle of their landing-net, which 

 is made hollow for that purpose ; in our opinion, a 

 great improvement upon the hollow butts. The 

 necessity for spare points would be avoided, if anglers 

 would get their rods made stronger. A moderately 

 stout rod made of good material, with plenty of 

 rings, will stand much more than could be supposed 

 from its appearance, and even if it should break, it 

 can be temporarily repaired in a very short time. 

 If the butt is not made hollow, fir may be substi- 

 tuted for ash with advantage, as it is much lighter, 

 and quite strong enough. 



For the middle pieces of a rod, there is nothing 

 like hickory ; it possesses elasticity and strength in 

 a great degree, and, if properly taken care of, will 

 stand long and frequent use. Good hickory is the 

 most valuable of all woods to the rod-maker. 



The tops of rods are made of a great many differ- 

 ent kinds of wood hickory, bamboo, lance, log- 

 wood, greenheart,and numerous others. The two last 

 mentioned are too brittle and too heavy, pressing 

 severely upon the middle pieces, and causing that 

 excessive pliancy which spoils a rod for all useful 

 purposes. Lance, though not so brittle, is open to 



