RODS. 73 



cai precision from the reel to the point, alleging, amongst 

 other advantages claimed, that with this shaped rod a spare 

 top can always be carried in case of accident without the in- 

 convenience of a separate top case. Of late years, however, 

 many practical fly fishers— indeed, I think I may say the ma- 

 jority — favour some modification or other of the form of the 

 rod which owed its birth, or, at any rate, its christening, to the 

 habitues of Castle Connell — preferring the swishy play obtained 

 by fining or tapermg away the butt rapidly from above the 

 'reel. . . . 



On all these subjects, were I to go into them in detail, I 

 might easily double the length of this chapter, without carrying 

 conviction, or probably amusement, to anybody but myself. I, 

 therefore, refrain from doing more than touching thus lightly 

 on the mere superficial aspect of the question, leaving every 

 man to remain, as, indeed, he ought to be, and would be for 

 anything I could write to the contrary, his own counsel, judge, 

 and jury. 



With regard, however, to the now fashionable split-cane 

 rods, a few words on the method of their construction, and on 

 their two principal varieties, may possibly not be uninteresting 

 to those who are not already initiated into the mysteries of this 

 interesting branch of rod-making. 



In the ' Art of Fly-Making,' published by Mr. Blacker about 

 thirty years ago, second edition, occurs, I believe, the first 

 notice of split cane rods. 'The beautiful rent and glued-up 

 bamboo-cane fly rods,' Mr. Blacker says, * which I turn out 

 to the greatest perfection, are very valuable, as they are both 

 light and powerful, and throw the line with great facility. The 

 cane for these rods must be of the very best description, 

 or they will not last any time. They will last for years, how- 

 ever, if really well made, and,' he very properly adds, * taken 

 '^.are of The wood employed in their manufacture is the 

 *\ale bamboo,' procured from India; great care and experience 

 being required in selecting only such canes as are of the finest 

 >quality and have been cut at the proper season. Fig. i shows 



