RODS. 29 



The butt of the American rods is finished with a metal 

 cap, but the English rods have a large rubber knob or button 

 on the end of the butt and this adds much to the appearance 

 of the rod. 



All wood or split bamboo rods must be varnished to keep 

 the water from penetrating the wood. Steel rods are 

 enameled. 



To catch bottom feeding fish, such as carp, bullheads, 

 suckers, perch, and other fish of that kind, all that is needed 

 is a long cane pole, and it is better for that kind of fishing 

 than any other rod. No reel is needed, for the line is tied 

 directly to the rod. Other rods may be used though for 

 this kind of work, and a jointed rod is always more conve- 

 nient for carrying. A nice four-piece Calcutta bamboo rod, 

 about sixteen feet long, may be purchased for a dollar or a 

 little more perhaps, in our eastern cities, and better ones 

 up to two and a half dollars. These have line guides and 

 reel bands. Jointed cane rods of ten or twelve feet may 

 be purchased for fifty cents. Or you can buy a jointed plain 

 wood rod, and if you like you may buy the trimmings and 

 make the rod yourself, as explained elsewhere in this book. 



For fishing with minnow bait for bass and such fish a 

 three-piece bait rod is used. This has always been a favorite 

 style of fishing for such game fish as take the live minnow or 

 small frog. For this use the Henshall pattern rod has always 

 been a favorite. This may be of steel, of split and glued 

 bamboo, or of solid wood such as lancewood, greenheart or 

 bethabara. 



The Henshall bass rod is eight feet, three inches long, 

 and weighs eight ounces with solid metal reel seat, and seven 

 and one-half ounces when made with reel bands only, which 

 was the way Dr. Henshall preferred it. The standard rod 

 of this style was made of three pieces, the butt of white ash 

 and the other two joints of lancewood. Another rod fav- 

 ored by this great fisherman and originated by him was of 



