26 SCIENCE OF FISHING. 



over these cuts. The highest grade have a rib around the 

 edge of the female ferrule, called a welt. 



As mentioned before the rods are wound at intervals 

 with fine silk thread. This is to strengthen and stiffen the 

 rod. The line guides are also fastened on by wrapping. 



Line guides are made in many patterns and the illus- 

 tration given here shows the most common kinds. For fly 

 rods the ring and keeper guides are used much, especially on 

 the cheaper grades, but small, light standing guides, especially 

 the snake guides are better, as the line runs more freely and 

 casts better. Many fishermen have the first guide, the one 

 next the reel, of agate, or to be exact, a metal guide with 

 an agate lining. Agate is very hard and smooth, does r.ot 

 wear the enamel off the line and in turn is not worn by 

 the friction of the line. Offering less resistance to the line 

 it enables the user to cast farther. 



The end guide on the end of the tip joint, which as I 

 explained before is also called a tip, should be a simple ring 

 on a fly rod, but is best if lined with agate as it will cast 

 better and will not harm the line. Those that are bent to 

 one side so that they offer no resistance to the line are 

 best. It is not necessary or advisable to have the other 

 guides of agate on a fly rod, but on a bait-casting rod this is 

 advised if you care to go to the expense. Anyway on a 

 bait-casting rod it is generally conceded best to have large 

 guides and tip, while on a fly rod they should be small and 

 light. 



The part of the butt section that is held in the hand 

 is called the grip, grasp or handle. On a solid wood rod 

 it is usually a part of the butt joint, simply an enlargement, 

 and may be plain wood, cork or celluloid, and many are 

 wound with hard twine or split cane. They are all good 

 and the angler may take his choice though most of them 

 choose cork, especially for a fly rod, as it will not slip 



