172 Book of the Black Bass. 



The reel-seat in fly rods is often made entirely of metal 

 and which, while much admired by many, only adds to the 

 weight of the rod, without being of material service. For 

 myself, I prefer a plain reel-seat, simply a depression, or 

 groove, cut in the butt of the rod, with reel-bands, as in 

 the minnow rod. This answers every purpose, and to my 

 mind there is nothing that can improve the beauty of a 

 liandsomely finished wooden butt; and on this account, I 

 am also prejudiced against the hand-piece, or grip, being 

 wound with cord or rattan. The self-wood, of which the 

 butt is composed, seems to me to be the best and most ap- 

 propriate finish for the grip, both as regards utility and 

 beauty ; for the cord, or rattan, with which the grip is usu- 

 ally wound, in fine rods, is extremely liable to become 

 loosened and worn off. 



The wound hand-piece and the metal reel-seat look very 

 attractive, but are not proof against wear and tear; and 

 for my own use, and in accordance with my idea of the fit- 

 ness of things, I think the less a rod is encumbered with 

 fanciful and ornamental appendages, the better. We 

 should ever bear in mind the original primitive cane fish- 

 ing pole, upon which model all rods are founded, more or 

 less, and remember that simplicity and utility usually go 

 hand in hand. 



The Henshall Black Bass Ply Rod. 



The specifications for this rod, in lancewood, and weigh- 

 ing seven and one-half ounces, are as follows : 



Total length of rod, 10 feet, 2 inches. 

 Length of each piece, without ferrule, 41 inches. 

 Length of handle, from extreme butt to top of winding check, 

 12 inches. 

 Length of reel-seat, 4 inches. 



