434 Book of the Black Bass. 



Caee of the Eod. 



The right way to " joint up," or put a rod together, is 

 to take the Joints, or pieces, from the ease, remove the 

 plugs, or stoppers, and put them in the pocket ; then attach 

 the reel to the butt, and see that it fits firmly and securely, 

 and will not be likely to work loose; next wipe the male, 

 or inside ferrules of the joints, to insure their being dry, 

 clean, and bright, and rub them on the hair, or with a rag, 

 with a little vaseline or tallow on it, to prevent the ferrules 

 sticking; then the tip and second piece are to be put to- 

 gether first, and the butt last; Be particular in " jointing 

 up," to place the standing guides, or rings, in a straight 

 line with the reel (there are usually small marks or punc- 

 tures on the male and female ferrules as a guide), and in 

 fitting the joints, do so by inserting the smaller, or male 

 ferrule into the larger,, or female ferrule, and- push home 

 firmly, but gently, and be very careful to avoid a twisting, 

 or screwing motion, especially with split-bamboo rods, for 

 this is not only liable to warp the ferrules, but also to 

 separate the strips of such a rod. After the rod is properly 

 jointed up, place the butt end carefully on the ground, 

 reeve the line through the guides, or rings, and bring it 

 down and tie it to one of the bars of the reel by a single 

 bow-knot, until ready to attach the cast of flies, or the 

 swivel and hook. 



The wrong way to joint up a rod, and I will describe 

 it as I have seen it done, many times, is to put the butt 

 and second piece together first ; then drop the butt end on 

 the ground and shove it to one side, or behind you, and 

 then put the tip on, the rod swaying and bending, in the 

 meantime, rendering this somewhat difiBcult to do, but 

 which is finally accomplished by twisting or screwing it 

 on, the butt boring a hole in the ground, the while; and 



