FISHING-RODS. 235 



minnow rod, gotten up to his order in Boston, which was 

 to eclipse all other rods for style and stunning appearance. 

 Each piece, from butt to tip, was spirally wound with 

 ratan strips and silk, while the ferrules, reel-bands, reel- 

 plate, and guides were marvels of brightness and finish ; 

 but in its action, the rod, of course, was a complete failure. 



My friend always carried with him an extra rod, to be 

 used " in case of an accident " to his nobby rod. This 

 extra rod was a short .and common, jointed, natural cane 

 rod, made after the plan of the " Home-made rod," described 

 on a previous page. And I noticed that the emergency 

 for using the common rod, always arose very soon after 

 making a few casts, with a great display and flourish with 

 the fine rod, or so soon as we were out of sight of other 

 anglers ; for, as my friend often remarked, the flashy rod 

 was all very well for " dress-parade/ 7 but for real work it 

 " wasn't there; " and the homely, but serviceable cane-rod, 

 or, as he termed it, "old business, 7 ' was invariably substi- 

 tuted. 



While asking the reader's pardon for this digression, 

 which, however, was made more to point a moral than to 

 adorn a tale, I will simply add that a fishing-rod should 

 be made for " business," and not for display. 



A Black Bass fly-rod should be made in three pieces; 

 the butt, we will say, of ash, and the second piece and tip 

 of lancewood, or if the reader please, of greenheart, mahoe, 

 or bethabara. The ferrules, reel-bands and butt-cap are 

 of the same pattern as those used in the minnow-rod, and 

 should be either solid brass, or German silver, without 

 plating of any kind ; let us have the real thing at all 

 events, for I despise affectation, or deception, in any matter 

 or thing whatever. Brass is a good, honest, and bright 



