CHAPTER XIX. 



Making, Repairing, and Caring For Tackle. 



EPAIRING and caring for fishing tackle is of 

 prime importance and by care the fine goods 

 may be kept up for many years, and thus 

 it becomes cheaper in the end, besides giv- 

 ing better satisfaction while in use. While the 

 initial cost of fine tackle makes it necessary to 

 dig down deep in the pocket-book it is possible 

 for many anglers, those who are skilled in the 

 use of tools and are careful workmen, to make much of their 

 own tackle and thus save some of the expense, have high 

 quality goods, and have the pleasure of making it besides. 

 I have, when speaking of rods, recommended the higher 

 priced article, although I realized that many readers of this 

 work would be unable to indulge in such luxuries. But by 

 making your own rod you can have one equal to the highest 

 priced article, and it will not cost more than half as much. 

 It is possible for an angler to make a fine split bamboo rod, 

 but it is difficult to fit the strips perfectly and at the same 

 time keep the outside of the stick of proper dimensions, so 

 difficult that I would not advise an amateur to try it. until he 

 has had considerable experience in making solid wood rods. 

 But the glued strips all ready for mounting and wrapping may 

 be purchased so that even in this it is possible to save 

 something. 



As stated in the chapter on rods, there are three kinds 

 of woods generally used in making fishing rods, and these 

 are lancewood, greenheart, and bethabara. In England green- 

 heart is the favorite rod wood, but in this country lance- 



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