Untitled - RB-Flys

14
PIKE AND OTHER COARSE FISH.
the sides forming a continuation of the ring itself, and acting
as a guard on either side to throw off the line if it should
attempt to curl over, very much as the sloping sides of a gate
on a barge-walk throw off the towing line. The inclination of
the ring is also towards instead of away from the butt, the
head or loop forming, in other words, an acute instead of an
obtuse angle with the rod.
The woodcut gives the shape recommended for the inter-
mediate rings, of which it is important that there should be
enough on the rod to prevent the weight of the line bagging
between the intervals, and yet not so many as unnecessarily ;o
increase the friction of the line passing through them, or add
to the weight of the rod.
FIG. 3.
' PRONGED'
BOTTOM RING.
For all these rings steel or iron wire is found to answer best ;
brass, from its softness, is easily cut or worn into sharp grooves
by friction, and these grooves very speedily wear out the dress-
ing of the line, and, before long, the line itself.
'
Many dodges '
have been tried to obviate this cutting process, more especially
in the case of the top and bottom rings, where the friction is
naturally greatest. Mother-of-pearl, agate, &c., have been used
as '
linings,' or inner rings, to receive the immediate friction of
the line, but besides being too expensive for ordinary purposes,
these solid additions add, not inappreciably, to the weight of
the rod. I have always been of opinion that some sort of
china or glass enamel or lacquer, such as that used in the lining
of saucepans, might be adapted to rod rings. There is an
American process especially, the depot of which is in New