Fishing Eods. 153 



boo, is used for butt-pieces, the short handle of lighter ma- 

 terial, if artistically fashioned, is perhaps the better way in 

 order to preserve the qualities of pliability and balance. 



The handle comprises the grip, reel-seat, and from two 

 to four inches above the reel-seat, making a handle of from 

 thirteen to fifteen inches long, into which the butt-pieee 

 proper is inserted, the joint being closed by a tapered metal 

 collar or winding check. 



The diameter of the lower end of the butt-piece (where 

 it joins the handle) should not exceed the diameter of the 

 upper, or smaller end of the butt-piece, more than one- 

 eighth of an inch ; that is, the inside diameter of the wind- 

 ing check must not be greater than one-half inch, where a 

 three-eighths ferrule is used on the smaller end. 



There are various ways of finishing the " grip " of the 

 handle, which may be formed of the same wood as the 

 handle, and smoothed and polished, presenting a very 

 beautiful appearance. Where it is desired to obtain a 

 firmer hold of the hand, it may be grooved with fine trans- 

 verse corrugations, or be fiuted longitudinally. Another 

 method is to wrap the grip with cord, or strips of rattan; 

 or the grip may be fashioned of hard rubber, and may be 

 smooth, or corrugated, or fiuted. The best grip, however, 

 is one of cork, which allows a firmer hold of the hand than 

 any other material, and being lighter, can be of larger 

 caliber. 



Some rod manufacturers depart from these specifications 

 by making the grip of the butt several inches longer, but 

 this only adds to the weight and length of the rod without 

 being of any real benefit; on the contrary, it is a positive 

 disadvantage to single-handed rods to have a grip, or hand- 

 piece, extending from nine to twelve inches below the reel- 

 seat. 



