4 THE SINGLE-HANDED ROD. 



from those defects. While, as regards bottom rods, I 

 should think the London makers bear the palm over 

 the world. 



The great fault of most country-made rods is a want 

 of sufficient seasoning of the material, and a weakness 

 in the third piece (next the top) of a four-jointed rod ; 

 or, in other words, the taper is faulty, and the rod is too 

 thin and pliant at about two-thirds of its length from 

 the butt, which renders it whippy or top-heavy, and it 

 will never cast a line with that smoothness and precision 

 which are so indispensable to fine fishing in clear waters. 



THE SINGLE-HANDED EOD. 



The single-handed fly-rod (the most delicate in struc- 

 ture, and most difficult to make) should be from 10 feet 

 to 12^- or 13 feet long, with a stiff and firm butt of well 

 seasoned straight-grained ash, which may be bored nearly 

 its whole length, so as not only to lighten it, but to be 

 a receptacle for a spare top or two, and tapered gradually 

 for about 14 inches from the butt-end, which is to be 

 capped with a massy brass cap, which must unscrew 

 to give access to the interior of the piece. The second 

 piece of the rod may also be of the same material ; the 

 third of hickory or greenheart ; and the fourth or top 

 piece of greenheart for one-half of its length, and the 

 top portion of fine elastic cane or lancewood. The 

 whole rod must be so nicely and truly tapered, and the 

 joints fit the ferrules so intimately, as to enable it to act 

 with as much precision when put together as if it had 



