Fishing Rods. 173 



Diameter of reel-seat, % of an inch. 



Length of grip, 7 inches. 



Diameter of greatest bulge of grip, 15/16 of an inch. 



Diameter of butt-piece at handle-joint, 15/32 of an inch. 



Diameter of male ferrule, butt-piece, % of an inch. 



Diameter of male ferrule, second piece, 15/64 of an inch. 



Diameter, extreme tip, 5/64 of an inch. 



It will be observed that wMle the ferrules used in this 

 rod are the same as those in a short-handled Henshall min- 

 now-casting rod of split-bamboo, the greater length of the 

 several pieces in the fly rod gives it greater pliancy. It 

 will be understood also that the joints are iiush, or non- 

 doweled, as in the same rod. 



The ferrules, reel-bands and butt-cap should be either 

 solid brass, or German silver, without plating of any kind ; 

 let us have the real thing at all events, for I despise affecta- 

 tion, or deception, in any matter or thing whatever. Brass 

 is a good, honest, and bright metal, will not rust or tarnish, 

 and if it is used at all let us use it on its merits, and for 

 decency's sake avoid the common practice of plating it 

 with nickel, or, what is worse, silver, for the plating soon 

 wears off and exposes the cheat. 



Eings, instead of standing guides, are used, as they are 

 lighter, and on the fly rod answer just as well; they are 

 lashed on with spool-silk by means of small metal strips, 

 known as " keepers." The rings should graduate in size 

 from the butt to the tip, and should be of the same metal 

 as the ferrules. The metal tip of the fly-rod is a single 

 ring, which is preferable to a solid tip, or the three-ring 

 style, on account of its extreme lightness, for it will be 

 remembered that the tip, or top, of a fly-rod is of very 

 small caliber. 



