128 Book of the Black Bass. 



the primitive model for a fisMng rod, but it is not adapted 

 to all kinds oi^ angling, being too long for one mode, too 

 stifE for another, and not well balanced for a third. 



The nearest approach to a perfect rod, in theory, and 

 composed entirely and alone of any one variety of wood 

 is a red cedar rod, made entirely of one piece from butt to 

 tip. It combines all of the essential qualities of a fishing 

 rod, and can be made suitable for any method of angling — 

 long or short, stiff or pliant, and withal, is extremely light; 

 but in practice it is not tough or strong enough for the 

 ordinary angler. And so each and every kind of wood has 

 some objections when used, alone, in the construction of a 

 rod; most kinds of wood being too heavy, when other 

 qualities are all right. 



The next best thing is to use a combination of woods, 

 and this plan has been found by experience to be the best. 

 Another plan is to alter the natural conditions of a wood 

 by mechanical skill, as in the split-bamboo rod, by which 

 the original natural good qualities are not only preserved, 

 but improved upon by the skill of the workman. 



Material for Eods. 



In order to get proper and desired action of combined 

 woods, and for convenience, portability, and ease of being 

 repaired, rods are very properly made in several pieces, or 

 joints. The fewer pieces used, however, the better will be 

 the action of the rod, and, in fact, two, or at most, three 

 pieces, are sufficient for all kinds of rods except salmon 

 rods, which are of a necessity the longest rods made. 



In the selection of woods for a rod, such kinds must be 

 used as possess the principal attributes of a fishing rod, 

 which are toughness and elasticity ; and when these quali- 

 ties are combined with lightness, there is nothing more to 



