FISHING-RODS. 215 



I feel justly proud of the merits of this rod, for I made 

 it myself. 



Messrs. Abbey & Imbrie, of 48 Maiden Lane, New 

 York City, made me a rod from designs and specifica- 

 tions furnished by myself, which comes as near the embodi- 

 ment of my ideas of a Black Bass minnow rod as any I 

 have seen. After a season of hard usage and thoroughly 

 practical tests, I am prepared to say that I do not see 

 how it can well be improved. It is fully the equal of 

 my own pet rod (which I made myself), and is of course 

 more highly finished ; indeed, in this latter respect it can 

 not be excelled. 



The materials and mountings of this rod are of the 

 highest quality. The butt is prime white ash, and the 

 second piece and tip are of selected Cuba lancewood. The 

 mountings are German silver, solid and strong. The fer- 

 rules are milled, capped and banded, and the guides solid, 

 light, and of a very graceful and new pattern, and are 

 lashed on. The butt has a wound grip, or hand-piece, 

 and the reel-bands and cap are very finely finished. The 

 metal tip is of the four-ring pattern, light and strong. 



The joints are made solid and flush, without tenons or 

 dowels, or mortising. This I have found to be the best 

 way for fitting the joints, for the boring not only weakens 

 the joint, but the tapering tenon, acting like a wedge, will 

 cause the joint to separate by the continual springing of 

 the rod. Mr. C. F. Orvis, one of the best and most honest 

 tackle makers living, also constructs the joints of his rods 

 in this way. 



The dimensions of the rod made by Abbey & Imbrie 

 are as follows : 



Total length, when put together, 8 feet 3 inches. 



