204 BOOK OF THE BLACK BASS. 



and ingenious mechanic, and a thorough and expert angler, 

 produced excellent rods, though for his own use, only. 



The first perfect split bamboo rods for the trade were 

 made by Mr. Charles F. Murphy, of Newark, who, after 

 seeing Mr. Green's rods, saw a chance for still greater im- 

 provement ; and Mr. Green, knowing him to be an artistic 

 and skillful wood-worker, encouraged him to undertake 

 their manufacture, which he did about 1863-'64. 



Mr. Murphy made the first split bamboo Salmon-rod in 

 1865, which Dr. Andrew Clerk took to Scotland, where it 

 proved a success. Subsequently, Genio C. Scott took the 

 same rod to the St. Lawrence, and, on his return, published 

 an interesting account of his trip, and the use of the rod, in 

 Wilkes' " Spirit of the Times/' in the same year. The 

 first split bamboo Black Bass rod was made by Mr. Mur- 

 phy, in 1866. 



Up to this time all split bamboo rods were composed of 

 but four strips or sections. About 1870, Mr. H. L. Leon- 

 ard, of Bangor, Maine, began making the six-strip bamboo 

 rod, and Dr. A. H. Fowler soon followed him. Mr. Leon- 

 ard is one of the most skillful makers of split bamboo rods 

 in the country ; the angler who is the fortunate possessor of 

 one of his best rods ought to be a happy man ; I speak 

 from experience. Although Leonard's rods were the first 

 six-strip rods put in the market, Mr. Murphy had perfected 

 one some time before. 



To Andrew Clerk & Co., and their successors, Abbey & 

 Imbrie, 48 Maiden Lane, New York City, however, be- 

 long the credit and honor of bringing this rod to its present 

 state of perfection and prominence. They were the first 

 patrons of Phillippi, Murphy, and Leonard, and gave them 

 every assistance and encouragement. 



