BAIT-FrSHISTG. 437 



ordinary bass-rod. Tho butt should be hollow, to contain 

 spare tips. The second, third and fourth joints should be 

 bamboo, so that when the rod is put together, it will be 

 about twelve feet. 



The rod should have two spare tips; one should be 

 stronger and shorter than the other, to vary the fishing 

 according to the state of the weather, and circumstances. 



The fourth, or last joint tip, should be about three feet, 

 thinner, and more pliant than the spare tops which fit in 

 the bored butt. The first spare tip should be two feet 

 long, stiffer and stronger than the original top. The 

 second spare tip should be about fourteen inches long, 

 strong and stiff; and in heavy weather, this strong, stiff 

 tip will be the one to use. 



Rod-making has been brought to such perfection, it 

 would be a waste of time to give further instructions ; 

 but still I only know two men in this city who can make a 

 true trolling-rod, viz. : — Ben. Welch, of Cherry street, 

 and George Karr, of Grand street near Broadway. 



Rings should never be used on rods of this character. 

 The " railroad " through which the line travels, consti- 

 tutes one of the peculiarities of this rod. Rings interfere 

 with, and impede the line, and should not be used. The 

 guides used by Welch are the only true ones — they are 

 neat, light, with a thin flat shank, about one fourth of an 

 inch in length, which is firmly secured on the different 

 joints. There should be very few guides on the rod — five 

 I consider sufficient, exclusive of the metal case at the top 

 of each tip. This metal case should have a rounded sur- 



