Untitled - RB-Flys

io PIKE AND OTHER COARSE FISH.
pith and converting the skin into water-pipes. It is this skin,
or rind, only, with which we have to deal in rod-making, and
that must be taken from a cane about as thick as a man's
wrist This is split up into narrow slips, and these slips, when
planed and smoothed down, become the solid grained-looking
pieces of wood constantly forming the upper splices of top
joints.
But to my text One of the most charming spinning-rods
I ever possessed or rather possess, for I am happy to say it
still exists came to grief in the butt, and instead of having a
new butt of the same wood, bamboo, made in its place, I
thought I would try an experiment, and had substituted for the
injured member a butt made of ash. The composite weapon
thus produced ash butt, second and third joints bamboo, top
greenheart seems to combine in an exceptional degree the
qualifications to be desired in a spinning-rod. Especially the
play and casting capacity of the rod are remarkable, and I think
of all the spinning-rods I have, or have had pass through my
hands, this is my favourite. The two centre bamboo joints are
all that remain of a mottled East Indian cane which I chose
from amongst the hundreds in Mr. Farlow's warehouse when
a stripling. It has since had tops enough to stock a tackle
shop. Can it be that association has prejudiced me also
in favour of my schoolboy friend ? Many memories may cer-
tainly cling round an old rod, and, perhaps, few veteran anglers
could be found to dissent from the following lines in which
Stoddart has given expression to the sentiment :
THE OLD WAND.
The wand that hath done service fair,
From thy boyhood to thy prime,
Onward to thine after-time
Cherish. It is worth all care.
Many a fair-spoken friend
Hath less friendship in his heart
Than this passive piece of art
And will fail thee at the end.