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RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
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A BEGINNER.
THE ANGLER’S WORKSHOP
VOLUME I
Rodmaking for Beginners
BY PERRY D. FRAZER
Illustrated
NEW YORK
FOREST AND STREAM PUBLISHING CO.
1908
Copyright, 1908, by the
Forest and Stream Publishing Company
Contents
CHAPTER PAGE
I—A Review oF FISHING Rop History... 1
IJ—FisuHinc Rop MATERIALS............. 19
III—MounTInc AND FINISHING MATERIALS. 4I
IV—Toots NEEDED IN RODMAKING........ 62
V—Typres oF BaiT-CASTING Rops........ 68
VI—One-Piece Bait-CastTinc Rops...... 73
VII—One-Piece Bait-Castinc Rops WitTH
SEPARATE HANDGRASPS............. QI
VIlI—Two-Piece Bait-Castinc Rops...... 97
Ie PH RER-PIECE. RODS. iis ised od ona 104
oe Seri BAMBOO RODS) O20.) eae 109
Polar WATER IRGDSG iv Utes 131
XII—Bass anp Trout Fiy-Rops........... 138
Pent SALMON (Piy-Ronss. (00 li aoe 144
Bey VVENDING RODS: y..)5. 5 204)2 Seaside d oe viet 152
EN VABNISHING RODS. si oicicid sina oie bee 170
Introduction
THERE are so many anglers who take pleasure
in making and repairing their own rods and fish-
ing tackle that I have set down some simple
hints that may be of use to anglers who are not
as yet skilled in work of this character. Like
most of them, I have worked with few and sim-
ple tools. The methods I shall describe may
seem amateurish and crude to the skilled profes-
sional rodmaker, but the novice who is guided
by them will pass many a pleasant hour, and will
turn out rods of which he should be proud.
The work described is that which the novice
can perform with the plainest tools, principally
file, sandpaper, jackknife and plane.
Perry D. FRAZER.
New York City,
January, 1908.
Rodmaking for Beginners
CHAPTER 1
A Review of Fishing Rod History
When we speak of fishing rods to-day, refer-
ence is invariably made to those rods that con-
sist of two or three parts fitted with splices
or ferrules for greater convenience in carrying
to and from the fishing grounds.
Without question the best rod is one made
of a single piece, or of strips rent and glued,
but with no joint or ferrule to interfere with
its resilience and action.
That it is next to impossible to carry a full
length rod on trains and in other conveyances is
obvious; hence the skill of amateur and pro-
fessional rodmakers is constantly directed _to-
ward the task of making the two and three joint
rods as nearly perfect in every way as is possi-
ble under the circumstances. That they succeed
I
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
very well indeed is evident in the beautiful rods
now used in fishing and in tournament casting.
For several centuries all of the best fishing
rods were made in Great Britain. There solid
wood rods were the favorites; in fact—with the
exception of rods made with spliced cane and
whalebone tips—the only rods used until a com-
paratively short time ago, when the rent and
glued cane rods invented and made by Ameri-
cans were adopted abroad. Even to-day solid
wood rods are very extensively used in Great
Britain. Their manufacturers have never been
very successful in competing with the best Ameri-
can hexagonal split bamboo rods, and some of
their fly-rods are made up from split-and-glued
material purchased in the United States and sold
as English rods. High grade American split
bamboo rods, too, are well known and liked over
there.
Hickory has been largely used in England for
parts of medium and heavy fly-rods, the material
being shipped from the United States and Canada
in billet form. Other materials are: Ash, lance-
wood, whalebone and cane combined; ash and
lancewood in combination; willow, blue mahoe,
2
FISHING ROD HISTORY
washaba (our bethabara), whole cane, green-
heart, and greenheart and whole cane combined.
For a number of years greenheart alone, or
greenheart in combination with whole cane, was
a standard rod material there, but this is of com-
paratively recent adoption, as angling writers of
fifty years ago seldom refer to greenheart. Al-
fred Ronalds, writing in 1836, said:
“The best materials are, ash for the stock,
lancewood for the middle, and bamboo for the
top.”
Mr. Ronalds had in mind the whole bamboo
which, according to later writers, was first im-
ported into England by army officers returning
from India. They, however, looked on it with
favor because it was ideal for lances, and per-
haps their preference for the thick-walled canes,
now called “male” bamboos, led to the belief that
was prevalent for many years, that this was bet-
ter for rod making purposes than the thin-
walled ‘female’ canes. Exhaustive tests with
scientific instruments have proved the thin-
walled bamboo better for the purpose.
Theophilus South, in his “Fly-Fisher’s Text
Book” (London, 1845), prefers ash to willow
3
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
for butts, hickory for middle joints, and favors
tips made from lancewood, cane and whalebone,
spliced together—four and even five pieces in
a tip.
The African greenheart, obtainable in the yards
of the importers in Stanley road, Liverpool, is
probably much better material for fishing rods
than the greenheart sold in the United States,
which comes from various places in the tropics.
That which comes through Liverpool is picked
over by the British buyers, and our importers
must take what is left. This probably accounts
for the growing scarcity of first class green-
heart. Not a few of our rodmakers decline to
guarantee this material, which is most excellent
for the purpose when it is good.
Early fishing rod materials in the United
States were: ash and lancewood in combination;
hickory, mahoe, greenheart, washaba (betha-
bara), snakewood, beefwood, cedar, osage orange,
shadblow, ironwood, dagama, peppercane, Cal-
cutta bamboo, our Southern canes, jucara prieto
and many others.
Years ago it became a common practice to
saw or rive strips of wood, plane these square,
4
FISHING ROD HISTORY
glue four pieces together and plane round to
form rod joints. The belief was that joints so
made were much stronger and less likely to break
than would be the case with a joint made from
a single piece of wood. This method was fol-
lowed by splitting strips of bamboo, planing two
sides of each strip and gluing four of them to-
gether to form a joint, then planing the latter
a
ee
round. This was made possible by placing the
enamel side of the bamboo within the strip, as
shown by the shaded lines in Fig. 1.
The enamel surface being slightly convex, it
was difficult to work and glue these strips to
form nice joints, and this method, which seems
to be ideal in other respects, gave way to one
5
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
in which the enamel was placed on the outside,
and the section made almost octagonal in form
by means of planing off the corners, as shown
by the dotted lines in Fig. 2. This method is
still followed to a certain extent by amateurs
in making tips, and for the beginner at split
bamboo rod making, it has many points of ex-
cellence. The principal ones are that it is easier
to make a joint of four than six pieces, and if
these are carefully fitted, glued and varnished
a fairly good rod is the result.
It is possible the manufacture of these four-
strip rods of solid wood or cane, and the diffi-
culty in keeping water out of them with the in-
ferior glue and varnish then available, resulted
in the method often followed of winding joints
solidly with silk thread or natrow silk tape.
This made the rod soft or logy and was dis-
carded finally, to be revived in recent years, and
again discarded.
The four-section cane rods gave way to six-
strip rods, and these have come to stay. They
have been used successfully for the past genera-
tion and have outlived their offshoots, the eight-
strip, the seven-strip and the steel-centered single
6
FISHING ROD HISTORY
oa
and double-built rods, showing that they are
based on very sound principles.
It is the belief among rodmakers that in a
hexagonal rod the upper and the lower strips
are called upon to perform the greater part of
the work of casting and playing a fish, but the
strain on the upper strip is supported, not by
the lower strip alone, but by the three lower
strips, as shown in Fig. 3.
RLG.) 3, FIG:.4.
When the greatest strain falls on the lower
strip, the three upper strips support it, as pic-
tured in Fig. 4. This seems to be borne out
by the fact that in tournament casting—the
hardest work a fly-rod is called upon to per-
form—it frequently occurs that the lower strip
is fractured, but the strength of the rod is but
7
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
little impaired, and turning the rod so that the
break comes on the side leaves it in good shape
for further use, if the point where the strip is
fractured be wound with silk and varnished.
Our English friends, not satisfied with plain
hexagonal split cane rods, have resorted to
double built rods, to steel cores, and to winding
in double spiral form with ribbons of steel, but
FIG. 5.
Hexagonal cane rod, steel wire Hexagonal cane,
center and steel tube center. double built.
while these methods are moderately successful
with them, the result is to overload the rod, mak-
ing it top heavy or logy. Sectional views of
these are shown in Figs. 5 to 9 inclusive.
Frederic M. Halford, in his book, ‘“Dry-fly
Fishing” (London, 1902), says of American fly-
rods that, judging from those he has seen, they
“are too whippy for our insular ideas and seem
8
FISHING ROD HISTORY
generally to lack backbone. They are also rather
light in the point, the effect of which is to ren-
der it difficult if not impossible to recover a long
line with them. The fashion of the present day
is to use a rod that is slightly topheavy, and
although this is more trying on the wrist, yet,
considering all points, is a fault the right way.”
Fic. 6;
Octagonal cane rod. Nonagonal cane rod.
oth steel center and double-built.
His preference then was for a rod 9% to II
feet long, so it must be assumed that he referred
to American rods of light weight. This seems
to be true, for he quotes Francis Francis who,
in his “Book on Angling,” told of making a cast
of twenty-six yards with a 10% foot rod. No
American five-ounce rod of the present time
9
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
would be accepted as a gift if it failed to lay out
seventy-eight feet, and the average six-ounce rod,
in the hands of an angler of ordinary skill, will
send the fly yards further, if the need arises.
Mr. Halford says there are only three materials
worth considering: split cane, greenheart and
whole cane, in the order given. Aside from its
fault of occasionally snapping off short, he likes
greenheart, but gives double enamel split cane
the preference.
Pp i Y\/
Ws IY, LOG): Wy Brahm hw»
LT AAAS BEADOO>
PAS KLE aie
: uM
FIG. 7.
Steel-ribbed split-bamboo rod,
I quote Mr. Halford at some length, for of all
modern English angling literature his books on
“Dry-fly Fishing,’ “Dry-fly Entomology” and
others, and his numerous papers on angling
are, to me at least, the most impressive. Among
other things his clearness of expression and his
habit of giving more than full credit to his
friends for angling hints show his sincerity and
‘fairness.
10)
FISHING ROD HISTORY
But Mr. Halford had no patience with steel-
centered rods; in fact, he says that the contro-
versy in the English press anent the inventor of
the method was a waste of ink and paper, as
steel-centered rods were of no practical use.
“Consider,” says he, “the effect of rigidly fas-
tening the two materials together. The one with
Fic. 8. FIG. 9.
Eighteen-strip rod, and method of forming each of the
three-piece strips.
the quicker action must of necessity tend to hurry
the slower material, and the one with the slower
action must equally of necessity tend to retard
the action of the quicker material. What must
be the effect? A tendency to disintegrate their
union. For me,’ he continues, “they have not
cast better; they have not cast more easily; they
II
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
have not cast more accurately, than the ordinary
split cane by the same maker. They are certainly
more tiring to the wrist, and when killing a fish
I do not think that they give any real accession
of power.”
In 1889 Hardy Brothers employed an engineer
who tested specimens used in rodmaking. All
were 24 inches long, .32 of an inch in diameter
for round rods and .16 of an inch on each side
of the triangular sections of glued-up hexagonal
rods. The tests were for resilience, deflection,
number of vibrations before coming to rest with
various weights, specific gravity and breaking
strain. The best results obtained, in the order
given, follow: double enamel glued cane, steel
centered; double enamel glued cane; hexagonal
glued cane, steel center; hexagonal glued cane;
greenheart, built up; hickory built up; round
greenheart; lancewood.
In theory at least it would seem that in a rod
wound with narrow steel wires, these would
constantly shift with the spring of the rod, re-
laxing in hot weather and contracting on cold
days, the general effect being to shear windings
and varnish, and to rust. Certain it is that one
12
FISHING ROD HISTORY
of the British firms which adopted steel ribbing
some years ago, now advocates a braided silk
sheath to cover the steel.
A Frenchman has made rods in which flat
steel strips have been let into the wood, and my
impression is that a British manufacturer has
adopted the invention.
Some years ago a Scotchman invented a simi-
lar method, but he used fine piano wires instead,
one being let into each of the six strips and
wound with silk. Unfortunately he died before
succeeding in his efforts to interest a manufac-
turer in his work.
In America not much attention has been paid
to steel centers or steel whipping for rods. One
firm makes a steel center rod, and another one
winds both wood and split bamboo rods with
copper or bronze ribbons in much the same man-
ner employed abroad in winding with double
spirals of steel. I have one of these metal-
whipped rods, and must say that it has merit,
for with it a fly can be cast very prettily in
trout fishing, and it is no doubt strong, but to
one accustomed to an ordinary split bamboo it
has an action which, while pleasant, is peculiarly
13
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
its own. Without wishing to disparage these
methods of strengthening rods, for my own use
I prefer plain whipping with narrow bands of
fine silk at intervals of three-fourths to one and
one-half inches, and believe these are sufficient
for any rod of the class generally made in the
United States.
As previously stated, attempts to strengthen
rods by winding them solidly with silk have
been made here during the last half century, but
while it is claimed for these rods that they sel-
dom break and will withstand severe strain, I
would not advise the amateur to attempt solid
winding. Rods wound solidly with silk on a
machine are bound in all places with equal pres-
sure, and if this winding gives strength, as
claimed, the strengthening medium is uniform. In
winding by hand you will at first lay the silk
on with the greatest tension you can exert, but
it is tedious work, and after a few minutes your
fingers will begin to cramp and ache and you will
wind less carefully. When you stop to rest the
tension is relaxed, then you resume with vigor,
and so on until the long contract is finished. The
result must be that the silk is wound so tight
14
FISHING ROD HISTORY
in places that it will cut into the wood when
the preserving medium causes it to shrink; else-
where there will be loose spots, followed by tight
places—anything but uniform winding, giving
you a soft rod.
In this way you may defeat your purpose, yet
never know where the real fault lies. Ten to
one the wood will be given the blame, as being
poor, and you may try the same thing with an-
other rod, to be again disappointed.
It can be said with perfect safety that six-
strip split bamboo is to-day the favorite fishing
rod material in the United States. More rods
of this sort are used in fly- and bait-casting for
fish and in tournaments than all other materials
combined. They are even replacing solid wood
to a certain extent in salt water fishing. Many
great factories have been working steadily to
their full capacity for several years, turning out
split bamboo rods for the markets of the world,
and the best of them have been for a long time
and are now far behind with their orders. It is
a good trade, that of a first class fishing rod
maker; one in which steady employment is certain.
While our British friends are still experiment-
15
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
ing with rod materials, using cane and wood and
steel in combination, our makers are plodding
along with their work, turning out the best hand
made split bamboo rods the world has ever
known, and satisfying their patrons. In years
they have not added to their rods any features
of startling importance, but they have instead
constantly endeavored to produce perfect rods,
until to-day the best hand made rods are indeed
works of art, yet powerful and durable withal.
Only one change from the regulation six and
eight-strip rods is prominent. This is a method
patented several years ago by the late Fred D.
Divine, consisting in twisting the six strips
slightly while the glue is still fresh, so that the
joints are spiral, the theory being that a rod so
treated is stiffened and that the work does not
fall on the upper and lower strips alone, but on
each one of the six. The method is highly spoken
of by anglers, and I myself have used such a
rod with pleasure and satisfaction. Atone time I
tested two fly-rods that were exactly alike in
length, caliber and weight, one spiral, the other
plain six-strip. They were held on a table side
by side while a half-ounce weight was suspended
16
FISHING ROD HISTORY
from each tip. The spiral rod sagged very little,
whereas the other drooped four inches lower.
The steel rod, that has become so popular in
the Middle West and South for hard use, is now
often employed for bait-casting.
On salt water bethabara, ash and lancewood,
dagama, lancewood and greenheart are the
favorite materials, although, as stated above,
split bamboo is coming into more general use.
In fly-casting there has been very little change
in types of rods during the past decade, but in
bait-casting a complete change has taken place,
and to-day the bait-caster’s methods are more
nearly like those of the fly-caster’s than ever
before, in that both use artificial lures in prefer-
ence to live bait wherever success is at all pos-
sible. Both are working toward finer tackle and
are following more sportsmanlike methods in
fishing as a pastime.
Until quite recently angling for game fish in
fresh waters consisted in casting the fly; in cast-
ing with medium weight rods and minnows or
other live bait, sometimes attached to a spoon
or spinner; in still-fishing with minnows, worms,
grubs or other insects; in trolling with live or
17
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
artificial lures. There were other forms, but
these will suffice for the present. Nearly all
rods were long and heavy. In order to make
one of these, skill of no mean order was required,
and amateurs who made attempts were more
often disappointed than satisfied.
Then came the change in the methods of using
the bait-casting rod. Extremists went from rods
of eight and nine feet to those of six, five, four,
even less than four feet in length, but as time
passed and experience has been gained, many of
them have settled on five or six feet as a very
satisfactory length for the superb little rods with
which they cast a long line and some form of
artificial lure, using a free-running multiplying
reel.
It is possible to make these new rods as light
and almost as graceful as the trout fly-rods.
Angle worms and live minnows and doodlebugs
are no longer considered necessary by way of
lure, and the methods of the bait-caster may be
made as cleanly and as skillful as those of his
brother of the fly-rod.
18
CHAPTER? 11
Fishing Rod Materials
THERE are many anglers who are fond of doing
things themselves, and to such of them as fancy
bait-casting, the idea of making their own rods
appeals strongly. And while it is beyond most
of them to make a passable rod nine feet in
length, such as was used years ago, there are
’ very few persons possessed of ordinary skill who
cannot make a short rod of the type that is popu-
lar to-day.
To give assistance to those who would like to
try this fascinating pastime is the purpose of this
book. I disclaim any scientific knowledge in. the
art. Rather, I have simply plugged along at the
work, making mistakes and correcting them,
doing things topside down, perhaps, as a pro-
19
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
fessional rodmaker might say, but attaining the
end sought, after a fashion, in time.
During the past decade I have made almost
every type of rod, and have worked split bam-
boo, dagama, lancewood, hickory, ash, green-
heart, washaba (bethabara), jucara prieto and
other materials, but in no part of my rodmaking
have I had any better facilities for working
rapidly and easily than the average busy man
commands, hence I feel confident in telling the
novice how he can do this and that part of the
work, for I am giving the results of my own
experience, backed by the sage advice of some
of the best known professional and amateur rod-
makers and anglers, to many of whom I am
greatly indebted for friendly criticism in my ef-
forts to assist beginners.
One thing which this slow and methodical
hand work has taught me is this: To take ad-
vantage of everything which will simplify the
work of rodmaking and finishing. I would have
you bear this in mind in reading the chapters
that are to come. Some of my methods may
seem clumsy to those of you who have access
to machine tools, or who have been advised by
20
FISHING ROD HISTORY
professional rodmakers; but the average begin-
ner at rodmaking will work with even poorer
facilities, perhaps, than I have commanded, and
for him the methods described may be of some
value. Above all things I wish to make all steps
plain and simple. They are not scientific, but
are practical.
It is folly for the beginner to attempt to make
his first rod of split bamboo, or even to obtain
glued-up stock and fit it. Instead, he should
obtain that material which is easiest to manipu-
late, and carry the work through to some sort of
conclusion. Then, and only then, will he master
the first step in rodmaking and begin to realize
how easy and yet how difficult it is to make a
good rod.
Without question split bamboo is the best mater-
ial known to-day. If you can obtain the material
in butts, joints and tips, glued-up, so that the
“making” consists merely in finishing it and fitting
handgrasp, ferrules and trimmings, if care is
exercised a very good rod will be the result. But
I would strongly advise the novice not to at-
tempt to make a split bamboo rod complete; at
least not until he has had ample practice in mak-
21
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
ing all-wood rods. Instead, pay a visit to some
professional rodmaker, if this be possible, at a
time when he is making split bamboo rods, and
ask permission to watch him at work for a little
while. If you do, my word for it, you will go
away a wiser if not a sadder man, for you will
be convinced that you lack the skill necessary to
finish the six slender strips and fit them together
perfectly, even if you can secure bamboo that
will prove to be worth cutting up.
This is one of the difficulties encountered in
rodmaking, for not all of the material that looks
good will be worth the labor of cutting. I know
one old rodmaker who, on splitting out his
material, tests each slender strip by bending until
the ends meet, then examining the circlet for
weak spots, and if any appear he smashes the
whole piece and tries again—a severe test, but
one that will show defects before further labor
is wasted. Not that this is the correct test, but
it is one of several, the most important one being
an examination based on long experience.
Some of the best rodmakers will supply you
with glued-up butts and joints, and if you are
determined to make your first rod of this material,
22
FISHING ROD MATERIALS
select these somewhat longer than the joints of
your rod-to-be, so that you can pick out the best
part of each piece when you come to fitting the
ferrules. Take only hand made stock, for.
machine made material is not always worth
using. The hand made stock will cost more than
you anticipate, but it is much cheaper in the
end. If glued-up split bamboo is to be the
material, the method of performing the different
parts of the fitting will be the same as described
further on for all-wood rods.
Next to split bamboo in the woods easily ob-
tainable in the open market comes washaba, or,
as it is known in the trade, bethabara. This is
a heavy wood, but it is nicely adapted to short
bait-casting rods, and one can be made to weigh
five ‘to six and one-half ounces, and very slender,
that will be exceedingly powerful and full of
ginger. Hence the weight of bethabara does not
signify. Bethabara slightly resembles butternut
or a light grade of black walnut in color; with
this exception, that when freshly sawed the sur-
face is covered with greenish yellow dust, very
heavy and a bit sticky to the touch, giving one
the impression that the wood has been sprinkled
23
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
with yellow ochre. The wood being so hard,
the rough saw marks hide the grain, and it is
difficult to tell a good piece from a bad one.
Look closely at all sides, or better, scrape two
sides until the grain will show, and if there are
any knots or if the corners show splinters that
may be broken off short, discard it and look
further. Pound the sticks smartly on the floor
and examine closely for worm holes, which, al-
though very small, are fatal to good material.
I have said that the wood shows dust of a
greenish-yellow color, but this seems partially
absent in some bethabara. I prefer the grade
which shows this characteristic, and which the
English rodmakers call green washaba; but the
brown washaba, the grade that does not, is much
harder and has a closer and longer grain in the
perfect pieces, although it seems more difficult
to get perfect pieces in this grade. Hence it
is well to stick to the green or dusty grades, which
run nice as a rule and can be planed from
both ends and on all sides with impunity. Some
dealers sell other varieties of imported woods
for bethabara, and some try to supply very poor
greenheart instead; but reliable men may be de-
24
FISHING ROD MATERIALS
pended on to give you what you ask for.
The fine shavings from bethabara are so wiry
and tough that a handful of them can be used
for a long time in polishing finished joints. They
cling together totally unlike those from green-
heart, which are short and very brittle.
Bethabara logs are sawed into planks which
go to the rodmakers in thicknesses of seven-
eighths of an inch, sometimes more. Generally
the lumbermen cut logs into pieces seven-eighths
by one inch and three feet long, but you can get
other lengths. These pieces must be ripped. If,
however, they will cut the material to your
order, it will be well to have the butt five-eighths
of an inch and the tips three-eighths for a two-
piece rod. There is a good deal of cutting before
you can be satisfied with the squared stock; and
another thing, you must decide which end of
your stock is to be the butt, or large end, be-
fore you begin to taper it.
There are two or three peculiarities about this
wood that will astonish you at first. Stock that
is cut thin may be very crooked. I have worked
pieces so crooked that it seemed a waste of time
to do anything with them, but after they were
25
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
finished and the rod hung up by the top on a
brad driven into the wall, all the kinks soon dis-
appeared and the rod became as straight as a
perfect arrow.
This method of straightening is advisable with
any rod, and especially tips. Where rods are
put away in tackle cabinets or closets, with all
parts tied up in a cloth partition case, it very
often happens that one of the strings of the case
is tied more securely than the others, thus bend-
ing the tips slightly; and, if left in this shape
for long, with perhaps some heavy object rest-
ing against all, a very crooked rod may be taken
out later on. Even standing joints on the floor
with the tops resting against the wall may warp
them. Better hang tips up, and the whole rod,
too, if practicable. Dealers who handle the
finest wood rods often suspend them all from
the tops in cases made for this purpose.
Bethabara as a rule does not warp or take set
easily, but cut any wood into thin strips and
throw it about and it will warp out of shape.
Varnish puts an end to this, as it prevents rapid
changes of temperature from affecting the wood
easily.
26
‘dou Ald LHDIT V HLIM ONIHSIA LNOAL Mood
fig
ee aii agin
a eee
FISHING ROD MATERIALS
In preparing to work bethabara, put on a pair
of overalls or a long apron. The dust is very
penetrating and somewhat sticky, and there is an
oily substance that adheres to the edge of the
plane, dulling it until removed. Wash your
hands with soap and water, and you will be
surprised to see the water turn a deep salmon
color, and the lather from the soap just like
so much red paint. No stain need be feared,
however, although old rodmakers tell me that
after continued working of this wood, their hair
takes on a slight pinkish shade, due, evidently,
to the action of the alkali in the soap.
Dagama in perfect pieces is even more easily
obtainable that bethabara, and of all the rod
materials known I strongly advise the beginner
to make’ his first rod of dagama. He will have
less difficulty in working it, is more likely to get
first-class stock of nice straight grain, and it will
give him good satisfaction. Having in mind the
disappointing experiences I had in my first at-
tempts to work bethabara, due for the most part
to poor material, I asked several of the _ best
known firms of rodmakers for their opinions, and
these agreed perfectly with my own, which is
27
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
that while first-class bethabara will give better
satisfaction, dagama of good quality is more
easily obtained, can be worked to better advan-
tage by the novice, and will make a good
rod.
Dagama comes from Cuba and is rather com-
mon. The tree grows to a height of forty or
fifty feet and has few branches. As a rule it
comes in billets six or seven feet long, split from
the log, but as these are not expensive, the
novice who expects to make two or three rods
can use the best part of a billet to advantage.
The wood is rather white when first split, but
exposure to the air turns it pale yellow and it
darkens slightly when made up into rods. It
resembles lancewood so closely that unless pieces
of both are placed side by side it is difficult to
tell which is which. Its grain is closer and
straighter than that of lancewood, however, and
it has none of the pins or knots that characterize
lancewood and make that wood so unsatisfac-
tory to work. Dagama is light, stiff and elastic,
breaks with a long, splintering fracture, some-
what like hickory, is easy to work with or across
the grain, and may be highly polished. Ferrules
28
FISHING ROD MATERIALS
slightly larger than those used on bethabara will
answer.
I have heard it said that dagama is at its best
in a moist climate, and is therefore peculiarly
adapted to use on salt water; that it becomes
somewhat “brash” in dry climates, like hickory.
I regret that my personal experience with the
wood is confined to regions near the sea level,
and that I cannot affirm or deny .this statement.
Hickory, I know, although exceedingly tough and
resilient as a rule, failed completely when used
for the long whip stocks of the old-time stage
coach and army ambulance drivers in the dry
regions of the Southwest. Although soaked
with oil, they were totally unreliable after dry-
ing out, ahd would snap short off like reeds.
Bait-casting rods are not used in such dry
regions as a rule, but on the Southern Pacific
coast, it seems, bethabara gives better satisfac-
tion than either greenheart or dagama. The
best fishing is in the dry season there.
The late Henry P. Wells was one of the first
angling writers to mention dagama, and he
praised it very highly, both in the first edition
of his “Fly-Rods and Fly Tackle,” which was
29
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
published in 1885, and in the second edition,
which appeared in 1901. Of dagama he said:
“Compared with a stick of approved green-
heart of equal size the dagama showed no in-
feriority that I could detect, while it was cer-
tainly much lighter. * * * I have made and
used several rods made of dagama, and have
seen many made by others. If well selected and
well seasoned, as a rod wood it is difficult to
equal, much less excel, as far as my experience
goes. It is very strong, very elastic, consider-
ably lighter than any wood I know of which
has equal strength, and works with a keen tool
in a way that is simply a delight.”
The late John Harrington Keene favored four
varieties of wood for rods, after split bamboo.
These were snakewood, lancewood, greenheart
and bethabara. Snakewood, in his opinion, was
the best where weight was not important, as for
bait-casting rods. “It is,’ said he, “one of the
most satisfactory woods to work that I know,
cutting smoothly and without apparent grain,
and coming out from the plane with a surface
like ivory for smoothness. Greenheart is a much
harsher wood to work, but if the tool is keen it
30
FISHING ROD MATERIALS
works fairly well. For fly-rods it is one of the
best woods I know, being of medium weight and
great stiffness.”
Of dagama Mr. Keene said: “While it is
tough, it lacks the rigidity of lancewood and is
inferior to it for rodmaking. Lancewood, which
if well selected, is a most desirable wood for
rods, is one of the easiest woods to work, has
little visible grain and cuts smoothly.”
It seems, however, that Mr. Keene’s opinion
of split bamboo changed after he came to the
United States to live, for when he wrote ‘Fish-
ing Tackle, its Materials and Manufacture,”
(London, 1886), he said: “The jungle canes
are of Asian growth, and are chiefly utilized
for the glued-up cane rods which are so popular
—rather undeservedly, I think.”
At that time Mr. Keene pronounced green-
heart “the very best all round material for all
the joints except the butt of fishing rods of what-
soever description.”
Curiously enough, he says “the beautifully mot-
tled appearance of a well finished cane rod is
produced by staining the wood with aqua fortis
and nut galls. The stain is burned in imme-
. 31
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
diately it is put on.” Evidently, if this was
true, the rodmakers of that time used other
canes and attempted in this way to imitate the
Calcutta canes.
Lancewood is used more than any other
material for all-wood rods in America, although
it does not seem to be very much used abroad
at present. In England greenheart is more of
a favorite, but over there more attention is given
to combinations than here. For example,
hickory is frequently used for butt joints in high
grade rods, whereas on this side of the water
it is put into no rods save the cheapest ones, or
imitations of bethabara or some other wood,
stained. Over there, too, whole cane butts and
even middle joints, with greenheart tips, are
common, while as a rule we stick to one material
throughout the rod.
Lancewood is more easily obtainable than
bethabara. The latter comes from Africa by way
of Liverpool, whereas lancewood in large quan-
tities is brought up to New York by the coast-
wise vessels trading in Southern waters. It
costs less than bethabara, and is much easier to
work. It is not so heavy as bethabara. In the
32
FISHING ROD MATERIALS
rough it is easier to select good stock than is
the case with bethabara. But it is “softer” and
more resilient in equal diameters, and has not
the steely snap and quick recovery that char-
acterize the other variety mentioned. In ad-
dition to this it is prone to take set; in other
words, to warp permanently, and this fault is
more marked on damp than on dry days.
There are so many varieties of wood avail-
able, and all more or less excellent for rods, that
the beginner may be tempted to try others than
those recommended. But my advice is that he
confine his first experiments to either dagama or
bethabara. Then, after he has acquired some
knowledge of squaring, rounding and finishing
solid wood, and fitting hand grasps, ferrules and
tops, he may feel safe in making a split bamboo
rod, since this will be the goal of his ambition.
Good Calcutta bamboo is very difficult to ob-
tain. Japanese bamboo is inferior to it, and I
would not advise its use. Nearly all of the Cal-
cutta bamboos are marked with alternate bands
or patches of natural and scorched enamel. Two
varieties are commonly known. The so-called
“male’ bamboo has thicker walls than the
33
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
“female” and is generally chosen for this rea-
son. Careful experts tell us, however, that in
this thick-walled bamboo the strength diminishes
more rapidly from enamel surface to hollow cen-
ter than in the thin-walled bamboo. The enamel
or rind is tough and hard. Under this the cells
increase rapidly in size and their walls diminish
in strength, the inner part being more pith-like
than in the thin-walled bamboo, whose cells are
smaller and their walls stronger.
Various reasons are given to account for the
burning of the bamboos by the natives of India.
The late Henry P. Wells, who studied the ques-
tion carefully, gives six reasons, as follows: A
religious ceremony; roasted over a gridiron to
kill borers; also to burn off adhering leaves and
vines; for ornamental purposes; accidentally
burned in firing jungles to destroy creeping
vines; seared with hot irons in straightening.
He leaves it to his readers’ fancy to decide.
J. J. Hardy, himself a rodmaker, in his “Sal-
mon Fishing,” says the natives lay the more
crooked canes in fires made of grass and leaves,
to soften before attempting to straighten them.
“While this firing doubtless solidifies the sap and
34
FISHING ROD MATERIALS
hardens the cells greatly,” he writes, “it destroys
fully 50 per cent. of the bamboos for rodmaking
by burning through parts of the outer skin, the
effects of which may be seen in the very dark
blotches. Where this appears the material is
worthless, all the original structure having been
destroyed. It has been very difficult to persuade
the natives to adopt special methods of heating
for the purpose of straightening, in order to
avoid this overburning; but it is satisfactory to
know that better methods, under strict super-
vision, are now being employed.” Mr. Hardy
says it is not unusual to split up thirty to fifty
culms and test the strips before sufficient good
material for an 18 foot salmon fly-rod is obtained.
The bamboos obtainable are generally 114 to
114 inches in diameter at the large end and only
four or five feet of each one can be used t9
advantage.
Tonkin canes come from the province of that
name in French Indo-China, on the Gulf of Ton-
kin, an arm of the China Sea. Probably most
of them are cut in the valleys of the Black and
Red rivers, which lie due east of Mandalay in
Burma, and as Calcutta and Tonkin canes grow
35
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
in the same latitude, this may account for the
belief held by some that Tonkin canes equal
Calcutta bamboo for rodmaking purposes. It is,
however, a fact that very few professional rod-
makers will admit that anything can equal first
class Calcutta canes. A veteran says one reason
why he is inclined to use Tonkin is found in the
fact that good Calcutta canes are very difficult
to obtain, and with them there is so much waste.
Many of the Tonkin canes furnish thicker
material than the other variety, and if properly
seasoned and selected, make excellent fly- and
bait-casting rods. Few of them are burned,
which furnishes another reason for their popu-
larity. Some are stained unevenly before they
are split, and when the strips are matched and
glued these mottled places appear here and there
on the rod, giving the effect that is so pleasing
to anglers of the old school who, through cus-
tom, prefer the mottling to the white enamel of
unburned canes. The staining is a harmless pro-
cess, and may be produced in several ways.
Tonkin differs materially from Calcutta. The
knots are smaller and less troublesome, and in
the rough beveling you can plane through the
36
FISHING ROD MATERIALS
knots with safety. This cane is much harder
than Calcutta, more brittle, and in breaking a
strip the surface gives way in long splinters,
leaving softer pith strata which are tough but
not springy. Because of its greater stiffness it
is used for tournament rods. It resembles some-
what our Southern canes, but its surface is
darker and the fibres reddish. It is harsh and
glassy, soon dulls the edge of the plane, and must
be handled carefully or the hands will be cut and
scratched.
Tonkin canes cost more than Calcutta. Rod-
makers who use them will not say much about
them. I do not pretend to know which is the
better material. I will, however, state that I
made two fly-rods at the same time, one from
the best Calcutta I could obtain; the other from
Tonkin. The Calcutta rod required twice as
much time and showed many imperfections. The
Tonkin rod was satisfactory. Both were exactly
alike. The best French glue was used on both.
It does not follow that, because some rods are
made with double enamel, that it is the better
method. If first class bamboo is used, and the
strips are well made and perfectly fitted, noth-
34
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
ing can surpass the plain hexagonal rod; but
the difficulty of obtaining good bamboo is great
and is increasing, and it is not always possible
to get material thick enough to make perfect
triangular sections without resorting to the
double enamel process in butts and joints. Many
FIG. IO.
rods are now made the centers of which are
hollow because of this difficulty of getting
material thick enough to make all strips per-
fectly triangular in section.
In an attempt to choose between double
enameled hexagonal bamboo and_ octagonal
bamboo, the former may safely be given pref-
erence. In an octagonal rod the butt and mid-
dle joint are stronger, provided the caliber is
large, but eight-strip tips consist of so much glue
and so little cane that they will not withstand so
much hard usage as will the six-strip cane and
38
FISHING ROD MATERIALS
frequently give way at the ferrules, particularly
if the parts are carelessly twisted.
On the other hand, the gluing of double enamel
hexagonal strips is partially protected from
moisture, and if properly made a double enamel
rod is strong and powerful. Besides, this method
Fig. II.
is a simple one, and double enamel strips are
easily made in several ways, the common forms
being to plane two strips of rectangular section, —
glue them together and then file as in a single
strip; the other to make a strip of triangular
section, then plane off the apex of the triangle,
glue another strip to the base and file this down.
In Fig. 10 the dotted lines show the form of
the completed section, and the shaded lines the
enamel. In Fig. 11, a is the outer strip with
apex of triangle planed off; b, second strip glued
to a; dotted lines c indicate section of finished
strip.
39
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
The specific gravities and weight of various
woods mentioned are given by Mr. Wells as
follows, the standard being distilled well water:
Specific Weight.
Gravity. 1 cubic foot.
SmakewOod) . cisscns eeslesisisecins-sisiiesiere 1.3718 85.74
Beth abarayaicte cose cssivere’e o ote oire'de erelore < clerere 1.2140 75.88
Greenheartidarls)) sacccssieciosnerecnacis 1.0908 68.18
JtaCara; PLIELO':o.6 cic:c.cicumce ciate, sioeerm eels 1.08 67.30
Tan Gewood le wets csies cies eo <isteioerieine 1.0335 64.59
Six ‘strip split) bamboot..<.0. seve eco -9915 61.96
Four strip split bamboo, enamel inside .9678 60.49
Greenheart. (ight) ecssccecesceriante 9643 60.26
PAS AITIA, vo:c.cleie.cicis/siereis ores ielere Sele siolelete sissies .90 56.10
RICK ODYs. qeicloweie nin clearance eee eros cia .7963 49.77
40
CHAPTER: Ill
Mounting and Finishing Materials
Wuat shall the handgrasp be—solid cork or a
form wound with cord? Simplicity, effective-
ness and economy point to cork. This statement
may surprise you, but it is true. Cork, seeming-
ly difficult to work, only requires proper treat-
ment, and with,it the weight of the rod can be
kept down.
The cork companies in New York, Pittsburg
and Chicago will furnish handgrasps to order
ready to slip over a solid center. These are
made either of solid cork discs or of suberit, a
composition of ground cork and cement. They
will also furnish corks similar to those used in
vaseline bottles and one-half inch thick, at about
seven cents per dozen for the best quality. I
41
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
generally purchase four dozen at a time, cost-
ing twenty-five cents, and select the best ones
for use. The 1% and 1% inch sizes are best for
rod grasps.
Wood forms for handgrasps can be purchased
from rodmakers in various lengths and _ sizes,
with either single or double grasp, and with a
hole of any size desired bored clear through.
They cost twenty to forty cents. If you can
have access to a lathe, however, it will be a
pleasure to turn your own handgrasps from
sumac, which you can obtain in almost any
thicket during a walk in the country, or white
pine. Bore the hole first, fit a plug in this,
center the ends, and shape the outside to suit,
bearing in mind that the cord to be wound on
will increase the diameter about 1-16 inch.
Cord for this purpose is obtainable from fish-
ing tackle dealers. Light green braided cotton
cord looks nice when varnished, and makes a
good firm grasp, but it is inferior to cork.
All ferrules, reelseats, tapers and buttcaps
should be German silver. These cost a trifle
more than brass nickeled, but they are harder,
stronger and more durable. Besides, nickle
42
MOUNTING AND FINISHING MATERIALS
glitters while German silver tarnishes just enough
to become slightly dull, but is not injuriously
affected by chemicals in the water.
There are only three types of ferrules that
merit the consideration of the beginner. These
are:
1. For split bamboo rods, welted and capped
6
_4 eo
oe
— i : - 4
2 a
FIG. 12.
Serrated Ferrules.
d de
(or shouldered) ferrules, ae the caps serrated,
so that the silk may be wound over the springy
saw-tooth like ends illustrated in Fig. 12. The
reference letter a@ shows the welted end of the
ferrule, which protects and strengthens it. B
is the cap or shoulder, which is turned down
slightly at c to permit winding with silk, which
should extend ¥% inch beyond the flexible ser-
rated ends d and bind the ferrule rigidly on the
wood. E is the center. The caliber of a set
43
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
of ferrules is taken at the point indicated by
this letter. The outside diameter of the center
at e is exactly the same as the inside diameter
of the ferrule.
2. Capped and welted ferrules with the caps
split and also turned down slightly for winding,
as illustrated in Fig. 13. The reference letter f
shows the capped ends turned down so that the
#£
ee . ai iN
Vie Jip ie
FIG. 13.
Split Ferrules.
cap and the silk winding will be of the same
diameter. This end is split in several places
with a very fine saw, so that the silk will bind
the ferrule in the same manner as with serrated
ferrules.
These split ferrules are excellent for split
bamboo rods, or in fact for any rods, and they
are often preferred to serrated ferrules. If any-
thing they are neater. They can be purchased
of the trade, but any amateur who can work
44
MOUNTING AND FINISHING MATERIALS
metal handily can make them from plain capped
ferrules.
3. Capped and welted ferrules are of the same
form as the two mentioned above, but the caps
are plain, as shown in Fig. 14.
In all carefully made German silver ferrules
the outside diameter of the female ferrule at g
(Fig. 14), is identical with the inside diameter
FIG. 14.
Plain Capped and Welted Ferrules.
of the cap at ‘h. This is a help to the novice
in tapering his joints. This also applies to the
center. In purchasing ferrules always specify
“capped and welted ferrules, closed-end centers.”
Some of the centers are left open at the bottom,
which is necessary when dowels are to be put in.
I have given preference to capped ferrules for
the reason that they are better for the novice to
work with than straight ferrules. By straight
ferrules I mean those in which the female is a
45
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
true cylinder inside and out. Many serrated and
split ferrules are made straight, but if they are
not to be fastened with pins, they may be set
too far down on the wood and work loose more
easily if the cementing is imperfectly done. It
is possible to obtain straight ferrules which are
shorter than those that are capped. For three-
joint rods less than six feet in length, by using
short straight ferrules, you can slightly lessen
the total length of metal in the rod, and if it
is to be quite willowy, they are excellent for the
purpose. Specify either “welted straight fer-
rules’ or “ welted short straight ferrules’ in
ordering, but in either case add “capped closed-
end centers.” The use of straight centers will
spoil the taper at the joint.
Dowels should be avoided by beginners. The
plain ferrules have, through long use, been
proved fully equal—and in the opinion of some
anglers, actually superior—to doweled ferrules,
even for heavy salt water and salmon rods. In
this opinion I do not concur with respect to
very heavy rods, in which there is abundant
space for the dowel without weakening the wood
at all. For small caliber rods, however, the
46
MOUNTING AND FINISHING MATERIALS
dowel has no advantage over the plain ferrrule.
Few amateurs can hope to properly fit doweled
ferrules to a rod, the effect being rather to
weaken than to strengthen it. The intricate
parts of the old-fashioned doweled ferrules may
be seen in Fig. 15.
Every ferrule should be fitted with a metal
plug, to keep out the dust while it is in its case.
FIG. 15.
Sectional View of Doweled Ferrule.
Waterproof ¢ferrules are well worth their
slight extra cost. In these a metal disc is brazed
or soldered in the ferrule, to prevent water from
getting into the wood or bamboo.
In purchasing a reelseat it is necessary to de-
cide whether the rod is to consist of one piece;
of a tip and a separate handgrasp; or of two or
three joints of equal length; and in any case
whether the grasp is to be single or double.
If the rod is to be one piece, or if the hand-
47
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
grasp is to be fitted direct to the butt of a two
or a three-piece rod, and is to be single, the reel-
seat should be like that pictured in Fig. 16.
If the handgrasp is to be single and separate,
then the ferrules shown in Fig. 17 will be needed.
Of these, the center goes on the large end of
tip and the ferrule fits into the tapered end of
the reelseat (Fig. 16). The method of fitting
will be described further on.
If the handgrasp is to be double, then the reel-
seat is ordered without the tapered end, and a
separate taper is required. See Fig. 18. The
ferrules shown in Fig. 17 can also be used in
connection with this reelseat (Fig. 18), as will
be explained in the proper place.
For all single-hand fly- and bait-casting rods
reelseats of three-quarter inch diameter are
standard, and seven-eighths or one inch for
medium weight salt water and salmon rods. In
ordering reelseats, the diameter of the small end
of taper must be specified. Generally these are
15-32, % inch, 17-32 and 19-32 of an inch.
Reelseats for fly-rods are like Fig. 18 with
the exception that the bottoms are closed. For
this purpose the taper is generally narrower.
48
Fic. 16.
Reelseat for a Single Hand Grasp.
c= _»
(UMUC TOTTI UUTRUAU Alu
TH EECOTILOUN cal
FIG. T7.
Ferrules for a Separate Hand Grasp.
wan
Fic. 18.
Reelseat and Taper for a Double Hand Grasp.
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
Stock buttcaps are generally of 34 inch diam-
eter at the large end. For bait-casting rods,
which should have rather full grasps, one inch
is a better diameter. I like the small hard rubber
FIG. I9Q. FIG. 20.
Agate Guide. One-ring German Silver Guide.
buttons made for tarpon rods, and hollow these
out so that they fit as a buttcap. They can, how-
ever, be fitted flush against the cork of the hand-
grasp without hollowing, and fastened on end
of grasp with a screw. See Fig. 35a.
For light bait-casting rods it is nice to use
:)
FIG. 21.
Agate Offset Top.
a full set of agate guides and an agate top, but
if this increases the cost too much use an agate
top and an agate guide nearest the reel, with
one-ring German silver guides for the balance
50
MOUNTING AND FINISHING MATERIALS
of the set. There was a time when it was be-
lieved that large guides and tops were best, but
it is now conceded that guides and tops of a
caliber of 5-16 inch are large enough, safer and
neater. There can be no question that large,
heavy guides affect the action of the rod. The
agate guide shown in Fig. 19 and the one-ring
German silver guide pictured:in Fig. 20 have
proved as good as any so far used. They are
BIG. 22:
Hard Steel Snake Guide for Fly-rod.
light, strong ahd efficient. The caliber of both
is 5-16 inch.
By all means employ an agate offset top made
like that shown in Fig. 21. In this there is a
wire extending from the tube to the bottom of
the metal ring holding the agate, while the two
side wires prevent the line from catching around
the top, and strengthen it. The caliber is 5-16
inch. The tube may be tapered or cylindrical.
For fly-rods the best guides are of hard steel,
51
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS.
snake form, as shown in Fig. 22. These can
be had in various sizes in the trade. In Fig.
23 a steel top for fly-rods is shown. In this
the ring is of the same form as the agates used
for the same purpose, but the steel ring is made
loose enough to turn in the wire that holds it,
in order that it will not wear from the constant
friction of the line. The wires are lashed to
the rod tip with silk. The form shown in Fig.
24 differs only in that these wires terminate in
a tube. Wires and tube are German silver.
For guides and tops of fly-rods German silver
is too soft and is soon cut in grooves by the
friction of the line. Any mechanic can make
these loose steel tops, or they can be purchased
from the importers. Agate or steel tops, and
steel guides, are necessary for tournament fly-
rods. The hand guide should also be agate,
as during the constant stripping in and shoot-
ing of the line it is held at an angle to the rod,
causing considerable friction and wear if the
first or hand guide is steel.
Novices who have access to machine tools can
make guides and tops for both fly- and bait-
casting rods of hard steel and of the form shown
52
MOUNTING AND FINISHING MATERIALS
in Figs. 19-24 inclusive. Steel is in every way
adapted to guides and tops, and if neatly made
they are light, strong and durable. Many
novices make all of their rod fittings, and some
of these are the best I have ever seen. Being
unable to purchase steel tops for my single-hand
and salmon fly-rods, I persuaded a fellow angler
to make several steel tops for me, and these have
proved very satisfactory in tournament casting.
e¢_ Q
FIG. 23: FIG. 24.
Steel Fly-rod Top, with Steel Fly-rod Top,
loose Ring and Wires. with Tube.
He has also ade steel guides and tops for all
his fly- and bait-casting rods, and his work shows
what a novice can do if he has access to machine
tools.
Perhaps the best glue for use in the making
of split bamboo rods, and for gluing corks and
forms for handgrasps is French glue, ob-
tainable in paint shops. Place the glue pot in
a kettle of water over a slow fire. The glue pot
53
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
should have wire legs or be elevated slightly,
else it will rest on the bottom of the kettle and,
the water being excluded from under the glue
pot, the glue will burn. °
Russian isinglass is also very good, but it
should not be used a second time. Instead, clean
the pot and prepare fresh glue each time it is
to be used. Russian isinglass is colorless and
for this reason is used in glass signs and metal
work where other substances would show. Order
an ounce of it and try it before deciding to adopt
it. It costs about forty cents an ounce, but this
quantity will be sufficient for several rods.
Much depends on how glue is prepared and
used. I prefer the best French glue, soaking it
over night and using it very hot, but thin. It
sets very quickly but is not brittle. Like all
amateur rodmakers, I have made mistakes in
handgrasps, etc., and have tried to rectify them
by heating, steaming or soaking them, to separate
the parts so that the changes might be made.
It is at such times that one learns with what
obstinacy glue will resist attempts to separate
parts joined with it. I have soaked a cork hand-
grasp for three hours in steaming hot water
54
MOUNTING AND FINISHING MATERIALS
without making the slightest impression on the
glue, and have experimented with ordinary glue
and prepared cements, all of which resisted se-
vere treatment in a manner that surprised me.
There are several prepared cements that are
excellent and cheap. All should be warmed, say
in a cup of hot water. Most of them can be
thinned with vinegar. They are perhaps inferior
to the commercial glues that are soaked and pre-
pared fresh each time they are to be used, but
their handiness appeals to the novice.
Much depends on how the glue dries in split
bamboo. It should not become brittle and break
when the rod springs, nor be too sensitive to
moisture.
Ferrules can be seated with shellac, glue or
various cements. I have found the cement known
as Hercules very satisfactory. It is obtainable
in the trade in twenty-five cent sticks. A very
good article, known as the Fishing Gazette fer-
rule cement, can be made as follows:
Clear rosin, 1 ounce; boiled linseed oil, 1
teaspoonful; gutta percha, 1 drachm. Melt to-
gether, pour into water, and pull.
I have used silk wax with satisfaction made
55
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
after a formula given by the late John Harring-
ton Keene. It is as follows:
Best yellow rosin, 2 ounces; white beeswax,
sliced, 1 drachm.
Dissolve by slow heat and add 2% drachms
fresh unsalted lard. Stir for ten minutes, pour
into water, and pull. It is to be wrapped in a bit
of chamois skin and kept out of the dust.
In this, as in the ferrule cement, it is well to
rub your hands slightly with vaseline before tak-
ing the wax out of the cold water, as. otherwise
it will adhere to the fingers at first.
Another formula, which is recommended by
Colonel R. F. Meysey-Thompson, in his “Ang-
ling Catechism,” follows:
Powdered white rosin, gum arabic and lano-
line, one part each; or two parts rosin and no
gum arabic. Simmer together until melted, add
a few drops of essence of lemon, pour into cold
water, pull and roll until of the proper con-
sistency, when it can be cut into cakes and wrap-
ped in chamois skin. If too soft, add rosin;
if too hard, add lanoline. Obviously it must be
kept free from dust.
The best colorless substance obtainable for use
56
MOUNTING AND FINISHING MATERIALS
in waxing silk thread for winding rods or mak-
ing artificial flies is mentioned by the late Harry
G. McClelland in his excellent little book “The
Fly-dresser’s Cabinet of Devices.” It is made by
melting together equal parts (bulk) of amber
rosin and turpentine and pouring into collapsible
metal tubes such as artists use. When a thread
is to be waxed, a little of the liquid is squeezed
out of the tube on the finger and thumb, between
which the thread is passed several times. The
surplus wax is then removed from the fingers
with a drop of turpentine. Fly-tyers use this
liquid in preference to the silk wax mentioned
above, as the latter is more likely to get hard
and brittle in time through exposure to the air,
and it is difficult to keep it clean and colorless.
You will need a small bottle of the best grain
alcohol shellac for coating all silk windings to
preserve their original color. This is not to be
used on the rod proper, however.
The best varnish I have ever used on rods
of all kinds is known as extra light coach.
It comes in cans of all sizes fitted with air tight
tin caps. It is better to get the smallest size,
one-half pint, as when repeatedly exposed to the
57
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
air it dries slowly unless thinned with turpentine,
and this color makers invariably advise you not
to do, as the thinning agency detracts from its
good qualities. Instead it should be heated in a
vessel of hot water. This varnish is elastic, does
not crack, and dries quickly with a beautiful gloss
if used while quite warm.
Spar varnish is also good, but several coats
of it are required, it lacks lustre, and dries slowly
unless exposed to sun and wind.
Purchase a three-quarter inch oval or flat brush
of good quality for the varnish, and a thin round
artist’s brush for the shellac. Both should be
washed carefully immediately after being used in
hot water and soap, then dried and laid away
out of the dust.
Amateur fishing rod makers experience diffi-
culty in obtaining silk of suitable sizes for wind-
ing their rods. Those who live in small towns
can only obtain size A or larger, which is too
coarse for fly-rods and for the slender bait-cast-
ing rods used so much in bass fishing and in
tournament casting. No silk finer than A is car-
ried by dry goods firms, but in this size every
imaginable color and shade may be had.
58
MOUNTING AND FINISHING MATERIALS
To be sure some of the fishing tackle dealers
carry O and OO in red, green, yellow and black;
but if one is particular and asks for a certain
shade, the dealer does not always have it, and
the next shade may prove disappointing if you
happen to have part of your winding finished and
desire a shade that will match nicely. The whole-
sale silk houses will not sell to an individual in
small lots as a rule, although they may some-
times condescend to let him have a given num-
ber of spools. No amateur could possibly use
a quantity of silk, even if he were to wind every
one of his rods solidly with it, and after several
disappointments he is likely to fall back on A,
even if it does finish up in lumps and welts that
are not in keeping with the careful work he has
put on the other details of his rod.
There is one advantage in size A, however:
every little store handling dry goods carries all
colors and every shade that will match dress
goods of silk, cotton or wool. If you have never
noticed this, ask a saleswoman for a spoo! of
green silk, and she will show you a score or
more, and every one a different shade of green.
No wonder you cannot buy silk by mail that will
59
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
suit you, merely by naming a color. How this
size can be split and used for all windings is
described further on.
In selecting silk there is always the tempta-
tion to purchase more than you can ever use
or give away, particularly shades that will dis-
appoint you if wound on the rod and varnished.
There are certain combinations that do not give
the barber-pole effect so many anglers object to,
yet are durable as to color. Black is a hideous
color for a nice rod, but it looks well as borders
for yellow or orange. Some shades of yellow
lose all color under the varnish, and cream color
becomes semi-transparent, and is often employed
for that very reason. Blue, lilac and pale red
fade rapidly when exposed to the sun, and pur-
ple, often seen on some rods, is not always last-
ing. Bright or flame red and medium apple green
are generally satisfactory, but their brilliancy de-
pends a great deal on what sort of varnish pro-
tects them from the wearing of the line in casting
—particularly on a fly-rod.
In addition to the winding silk, purchase a tiny
spool of buttonhole silk of any color, to be used
in pulling the ends of the winding silk through
60
MOUNTING AND FINISHING MATERIALS
and forming “endless” windings. Its use is ex-
plained in the proper place.
A spool of cotton or linen thread is also handy
for use in tying guides on temporarily while test-
ing your rods. If it is waxed it will be much
more effective. I use linen for this purpose,
fastening the guides in place with it while align-
ing them, then cutting the thread when the guide
is partly fastened with silk.
61
CHAPTER: 1V
Tools Needed in Rodmaking
IN preparing to make a fishing rod, after the
wood and metal parts have been obtained, the
next thing to consider is a workbench. If one
is not at hand, and you do not know any car-
penter or mechanic who will let you use his
bench at odd times, a makeshift will answer. If
a bit of plank can be laid across a table and
secured against wobbling, it will serve.
Of course a large iron vise will be very use-
ful, but if this is not available, one of the little
iron vises to be had in hardware stores for a
dollar or less will answer very well; in fact,
you cannot afford to be without one if you are
fond of making and repairing small articles.
The tools you will require are few and simple.
62
TOOLS NEEDED
At least two iron planes will be needed, one of
medium size and the other very small, say four
inches long, for finishing. Get a small oilstone
in a wooden case, and never neglect to clean it
carefully and wrap it in a cloth after using it,
as otherwise its pores will become clogged with
FIG. 25.
Micrometer Caliper.
gummed oil and dust, rendering it worse than
useless.
You will need one rather coarse flat file, say
fourteen inches long, and a fine flat or three-
cornered file, the latter preferred for split bam-
boo work. Also get a sheet of fine emery cloth;
coarse, medium and fine sandpaper; a_ small,
thin saw; a flat steel scraper. A drill stock and
several small drills are always useful.
Calipers of some sort are necessary. The best
obtainable is the micrometer caliper registering
thousandths of an inch, with scales showing
63
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
equivalents in 8ths, 16ths, 32ds and 64ths. One
of these costs about $4, but its graduations are
so fine that it is useful in other work as well
as in rodmaking, and is almost indispensable for
the angler who wishes to obtain exact calibers
of rods, lines, silkworm gut, etc. These calipers
are made by several firms, and all are of the
form illustrated in Fig. 25. The size which is
graduated in thousandths, and will take work
up to an inch in diameter, is best for your pur-
pose.
The next best caliper is the one shown in Fig.
26, or a similar device with sliding arm and
scale graduated to 64ths and opening two inches.
This is the most practical caliper for the begin-
ner, as it is simple and small. Its cost is about
$1.50. It has a lock nut and the reverse side
gives 1ooths of an inch.
A much cheaper gauge is made of brass and
boxwood, similar in form to Fig. 26. One of
these will answer very well, although the gradua-
tions are coarser than those of the other calipers
mentioned.
There are several devices that are used by
some amateur rod builders which are not abso-
64
TOOLS NEEDED
lutely necessary, but they are handy and can be
made to take the place of calipers at times.
You will not make your rod a true taper from
handgrasp to top, but it will help you to know
how to do this, for the tapering of the square
stock can be made nearly uniform at first, in
the rough.
Fic. 26.
Take a piece of cardboard and draw two
straight lines Als inches long, 15-32 of an inch
apart at one end and 7-64 of an inch at the other.
This represents a uniform taper from the hand-
grasp to the top of a 5% foot rod. Mark off
spaces every half inch to represent every six
inch station from handgrasp to top, and number
them 6, 12, etc., up to 54. The distance between
the horizontal lines at every mark will give the
caliber of the rod at that point; that is, the
65
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
length of the mark numbered 24 will be equal to
the diameter of the rod 24 inches trom the hand-
grasp, if the taper is uniform. Fig. 27 ex-
plains the method. To make the diagram handier
let the horizontal lines be 9, 18 or 36 inches
long, dividing the total into nine spaces of equal
length, the result being alike in every case if
the distances at the ends are exactly what the
rod is to be at taper and top.
Now, take a piece of brass and by sawing first
and trimming with a file afterward, form a slot
4\%4 inches deep, 15-32 inch wide at the top and
7-64 inch wide at the bottom. Every half inch
scratch a line across and mark these 6) 12,/ete,
with a sharp-pointed instrument. This will serve
as a gauge for uniform tapering.
If, however, you have decided what the cali-
ber of your rod is to be at every six inch station,
you can utilize a piece of brass with ten square
notches filed in its edges, the largest being 15-32
inch and the smallest 7-64, every notch to be
equal in width to the caliber of the rod at the
corresponding station. These can be numbered
from 6 to 54 respectively in half feet.
For smoothing off rough places on metal fit-
66
TOOLS NEEDED
tings, taking the sharp corners off guides and
many other little details, a fine three-cornered
file will be very useful. I prefer the needle file
‘because it will fit into a loop in the cover of
my fly-book, and it can be used in lieu of a
saw on occasion. A file of this sort is about
FIG, 27.
six inches long, flat on one side and slightly con-
vex on the other. Its width is about one-eighth
inch in the center, tapering to a fine point. Al-
though somewhat, delicate, its high tempering
prevents frequent breakage, and it can be used
on rod fittings without scratching more than with
emery cloth.
CHAPTER WV,
Types of Bait-Casting Rods
To some persons it may seem that while an
eleven-foot rod must be nicely tapered and bal-
anced, a rod only half as long, being more or
less stick-like, if made a given caliber, will
answer. Nothing could be further from the
truth. While it is a fact that a rod 5% feet
in length requires less time and material than
one of the old-fashioned long bait-fishing rods,
it must be even more carefully made, for an
error of one-sixty-fourth of an inch in the
caliber of butt or tip may render it compara-
tively worthless. A mistake in the long rod may
be hidden in its greater resilience, and this may
Save it, but reduce the length by one-half and
you more than double the work required of each
foot.
68
TYPES OF BAIT-CASTING RODS
For a long time after I first began to experi-
ment with the modern bait-casting rods I felt
sure that, for an all-round rod one of six feet
or slightly longer seemed preferable to those of
lesser lengths. Exhaustive experiments with
rods of various lengths and with reels and lines,
in fishing and in tournament casting have con-
vinced me that if we make our bait-casting rods
as delicate, relatively, as our fly-rods, and still
retain ample resilience, strength and backbone,
5% feet seems a very good average length.
Numerous well-known advocates of short rods
have arrived at the same conclusion. So well
known are they that their advice seems worthy,
especially as their conclusions have been proved
sound by the vast number of 5% foot rods used
in the national casting tournaments and in bass
fishing.
Sometimes it is said that the modern bait-
casting rod, like the long bow of merry England,
should be proportioned to the owner’s height
and strength. There may be something in this,
but I would hesitate to assert that a six-footer
should select a rod of his height, and a man of
medium stature one of five feet.
60
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
Who was first to advance this theory I do
not know, but Alfred Ronalds, in his “Fly-
Fisher’s Entomology” (London, 1836), said of
salmon and trout fly-rods:
“Like the bow of the archer, the rod of the
angler should be duly proportioned in dimen-
sions and weight to the strength and stature
of him who wields it.”
Possibly a short man may get better result
with a five-foot rod than with one of six feet,
but there is little to recommend any rod shorter
than five feet, since it must be stubby if badly
proportioned, or weak if of too small diameter.
If the handgrasp is less than twelve inches in
length, and the taper begins at 15-32 of an inch
and is hollow for a short distance, then gradual
to the top, with a diameter there of 7-64 inch,
the 66-inch rod will be equally serviceable for
fishing and for practice in tournament casting.
It may well be termed an all-round rod.
In view of these facts, as well as for the sake
of brevity and simplicity, I will try to instruct
beginners in making bait rods 5% feet in length.
The application of the same principles to the
making of rods of other lengths will follow
70
TYPES OF BAIT-CASTING RODS
naturally and fly-rods will be treated separately.
Several things must be considered by the be-
ginner before he obtains his rod materials:
First. It is evident that the ideal rod is one
made of a single length of wood or split bam-
boo, with a handgrasp permanently glued on its
large end. But while this is particularly true
of split bamboo, it does not apply with equal
force to wood, as it is more difficult to obtain
a slender straight-grained piece of wood sixty-
six inches in length and free from knots and
other imperfections. Still, this is not impossible.
Second. A rod with only one joint. Such
rods are frequently made with a long tip and a
separate handgrasp. This is a most excellent
type, and rods of this form are very popular.
They are more compact than the one-piece rods,
and almost if not quite equal to them.
Third. A rod consisting of a butt and a tip
of the same length. This is not quite the equal
of rods of the second class, but much more
handy to make and to carry about. Theoreti-
cally the ferrule should not be placed in the
middle of the rod; practically a very good rod
can be so made. Its simplicity is marked. It
71
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
is a very common type, particularly in salt water
fishing. JI have made several rods, each con-
sisting of one length, and have invariably cut
them in two later on, placing the ferrule in the
middle, or in the thick part near the handgrasp.
Very little difference in the action of these rods,
before and after altering, was noticeable.
Fourth. A rod consisting of a butt, a joint
and a tip, all of equal length. This is the most
common type known to-day, the handiest for
carrying, but with its faults. Its ferrules are,
in theory, placed to better advantage than are
those of the rod of the second class. Practice
undoubtedly proves this theory correct. In a
rod of 5% feet, however, the ferrules materially
stiffen it at these two points, and it must be
very carefully proportioned.
72
CHAPTER VI
One-Piece Bait-Casting Rods
ASSUMING that you have obtained all the ma-
terials needed, we will begin our actual rodmak-
ing, taking the rods as they are given and com-
mencing with one of the first class, as it is the
easiest type to make.
As your rod, when finished, is to be 5% feet
long, the agate top adding about 5g of an inch,
the wood should be slightly more than 5% feet
long, to allow for cutting down finally to 653%
inches.
Assuming that your wood is %-inch square
and free from knots, plane it a trifle on all sur-
faces and from both ends, to determine which
way the grain runs; and having decided which
shall be the butt end, drill two holes through the
73
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
wood very close to that end, as shown in Fig. 28,
and drive a brad in the right-hand end of your
workbench, so that you can hook the big end of
the wood over the brad and plane away from
it, which is much more satisfactory than butting
FIG. 28.
the small end of the wood against a cleat at the
far end of the bench.
Plane the wood until it is straight and true,
the gauge showing that it is % inch thick on
each side throughout its length. If it is crooked,
do not worry, and do not attempt to correct this
by planing more off one side than the other. It
can be straightened perfectly later on. Mark the
exact center at each end with two lines crossing
in the center.
If your hand-grasp is to be single, mark a
point ten inches from the butt end and continue
74
ONE-PIECE BAIT-CASTING RODS
the line entirely around the wood. This will
allow you to saw off an inch where the holes are,
and give you space for a nine-inch hand-grasp.
If the grasp is to be double, allow twelve inches,
for an eleven-inch grasp.
Begin at your pencil mark and plane carefully
and evenly to the tip end on all sides. Use the
caliper frequently, noting the diameter every six
inches. If there is a thick place, mark it heavily
with the pencil and plane that part lightly, then
continue to reduce all sides until you have a
nice even taper and the small end is 5-32 of an
inch thick. Holding the tip end on the floor,
exert a slight pressure and note the curve of the
whole piece, which should arch nicely, the curve
diminishing gradually toward the butt. Turn it,
and see if the spring is fairly uniform on all
sides.
Now caliper carefully and trim off uneven
places until the diameter of both sides is exactly
alike at each six-inch station. Use the small
plane for this work, setting it very fine.
A piece of board with a groove in one edge,
preferably four feet long, is now in order. Pine
tongue-and-groove stuff, used for partitions, is
75
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
ideal. Its value for other branches of rodmak-
ing will be explained further on. Plane the edge,
so that the groove will be shallow at the tip-end.
and fasten it in the vise or nail it lightly to the
side of the bench. Lay the rod in the groove,
with one of the four corners uppermost, and
setting your small plane a trifle coarse, take off
the corner evenly from butt to tip, ignoring your
pencil mark.
Turn to the next corner and plane it, then the
other two. Use the utmost care in transforming
the strip from square to octagon form, and
caliper frequently until it is of exactly the same
diameter on every side at each six-inch station.
You are now shaping the strip, so that the next
step will make it round, and in this stage haste
will work sad havoc with later plans. The eye,
the caliper and testing the arch must all be de-
pended on at this stage. Every one of the eight
sides must be uniform. A perfect strip is illus-
trated in Fig. 36.
Setting your small plane very fine again, lay
the strip in the groove and take off one of the
corners the full length. Turn to the next one
and remove it, and so on. The rod is now ap-
76
ONE-PIECE BAIT-CASTING RODS
proximately round, cylindrical in its first foot,
then tapering gradually to the small end.
There are various ways to make it perfectly
round. One is to lay it flat on the bench, and
holding it under the palm of the left hand, roll it
backward and forward while sandpapering it
with a sheet of that abrasive folded over a block
of wood, held in the right hand and moved
rapidly up and down the rod. I prefer the flat
steel scraper, and turn the rod rapidly while
working from end to end, using the grooved
board to hold it steady.
Stop frequently and draw the rod through the
fingers to locate uneven places. If none are
found, go over the rod thoroughly with sand-
paper folded and held in the hand without the
block, You are now ready for final tapering.
At this stage I take a strip of paper the full
length of the rod and draw two parallel lines on
it, each 6534 inches in length. The upper line I
mark “rough calibers,’ and the lower line “final
calibers.” Marks are placed on each line to in-
dicate the place where the taper of the hand
grasp is to be, then every six inches to the tip
end. Lay the rod beside the upper line on your
77
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
paper, caliper it at every station, and set these
figures down on the corresponding mark. Note
then carefully, for if the wood has been planed
properly in the square, the tapers will be nearly
uniform from hand-grasp to tip-end, but the
wood will not, in this form, be properly pro-
portioned for use.
If you were working by rule-of-thumb, without
a rod to copy, the only thing would be to put a
top and guides on the rod temporarily, fasten a
reel on the butt with cord, run the line through,
attach a quarter- or half-ounce weight, and try a
few casts; but the formula in Fig. 29 will save
time. These calibers were taken from several
bethabara rods that have seen long use in fishing
and practice casting.
If the wood is dagama or greenheart, add 1-64
of an inch or a trifle less to each diameter
given. Try the rod before deciding, for the action
varies with different pieces of wood, and none
can be exactly alike. In Fig. 29 the lower line
of figures mark the six-inch stations; the upper
figures the final calibers of a bethabara rod. It
will be noted that, commencing at the cylindrical
butt end, the calibers decrease rapidly to the
78
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Hen
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
thirty-inch station, then are nearly uniform to
a point close to the top.
Mark these calibers on the lower line of your
paper, and note the variations between them and
the calibers of your rod. Then scrape or sand-
paper from your pencil mark toward the tip,
gauging often until your rod is very nearly as
small as it is to be finally. Now tie on a reel,
guides and top and try the rod in casting. If it
pleases you, go over it lightly with fine sand-
paper and fit the agate top permanently. Use
a flat file in tapering the wood to fit the tube
snugly. Heat your ferrule cement and coat the
wood lightly with it, then heat the tube of the
top, push it home and turn it around until the
inside is evenly coated with cement.
Measure from agate top to butt and saw the
latter at the 66-inch mark. Warm the agate top
over the flame of a match and remove it for the
present.
Select a number of corks and warm your glue.
A piece of thin 15-32-inch tubing is now needed.
An old ferrule will answer. File the outside of
one end until the edge is sharp. Holding the
tube in the center of a cork, with a pad in the
80
ONE-PIECE BAIT-CASTING RODS
palm of the hand to prevent that end from cut-
ting you, turn the tube evenly until it cuts through
the cork like a wad-cutter. The result will sur-
prise you—a nice smooth hole through this seem-
ingly difficult substance to work. Do not, how-
ever, try to hammer the tube through the cork.
Drop this cork circlet over the tip of your rod
and push it slowly down to the butt, the last
inch of which has previously been coated with
hot glue. Punch out another cork, slide it down,
coat the first one with glue, press them into close
contact. Proceed in this manner until you have
ten corks on the rod, giving you a handgrasp
approximately five inches long.
Now procure a piece of white pine five inches
long and 34-inch in diameter. Bore a 15-32-incih
hole through it and round off the outside until
it will go inside the reelseat easily. This should
be perfectly made, and it may be best to have
it turned in a lathe. Taper one end until it will
fit the taper of the reelseat nicely, while the other
end should lack a quarter-inch of being as long
as the reelseat. Slide this pine sleeve down over
the rod (see Fig. 30), coat the rod and the upper-
most cork with glue, press the pine sleeve home
81
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
and put the rod aside for a couple of days until
the glue dries..
If you want the handgrasp to be shaped in a
certain way and be nicely finished, have it turned
in a lathe. I prefer to have mine perfectly cylin-
drical throughout, and press the reelseat into the
top cork, leaving a right-angled shoulder to serve
in lieu of a finger hook. I take a piece of sand-
paper, folded round a block of wood, and turn-
ing the rod rapidly, work back and forth length-
wise of the grasp, gauging frequently, then using
fine sandpaper until the grasp is cut down to
I I-16 inch in diameter.
Taper the lower corks until the buttcap will
fit snugly. Warm the buttcap, rub a little cement
inside, push it home, and when it is cold drill
a hole in it and into the butt of the rod, drive a
brass pin home and file it off flush with the sur-
face of the cap. Wipe off surplus cement.
In fitting the reelseat over the pine sleeve, place
the hooded end down, so that in fitting the reel
to the seat the band will pull down and in this
way bring the reel near the hand, so that the
index finger will grip the cork shoulder and
render your control of the reel and rod firm.
82
ONE-PIECE BAIT-CASTING RODS
If the yoke of the reel fits the seat as it should,
and the band is tight, the reel will never work
loose, even in a long fight with a big fish.
The three-quarter inch commercial reelseat is
about 4% inches long, and for bait-rods the cor-
rect way—in theory, at least—is to fit it with
the sliding band at the bottom, so that the band
will push forward over the reel-yoke and counter-
act the tendency of the reel to work loose in
playing a fish. Fitted with the hood on the
upper end of the reelseat, the reel goes so far
forward that more than an inch of the seat is
exposed, and the right hand must grip this metal
instead of the firmer and less slippery cork or
cord wound grasp; hence, the shape of a well-
formed grasp counts for less than it should.
If the handgrasp is single, the length of the
reelseat does not so much matter, but when the
grasp is double I prefer to cut the reelseat down
to a length of 334 inches, and also file the after
end of the reel-yoke until its length is only 2%
inches. This brings the reel nearer the hand,
and also places the upper grasp where the left
hand can rest on it in spooling the line.
Formerly I made all my bait-casting rods with
83
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
double handgrasps, but have finally arrived at the
conclusion that for tournament casting the upper
grasp is a useless thing that serves only to stiffen
the rod at that point. I always grasp the reel
in spooling line and in playing a fish, holding the
reel with three fingers of the left hand, while
the index finger and the thumb spool the line.
Making the grasp single and short adds to the
resilience of the rod and makes it neater, and
easier to build. I always place the hooded end
of the seat down, and if the band is wedged
tightly over the yoke, as it should be, there is no
play. A great many sea and other rods are made
with the hooded end down.
See that the yoke of your reel is standard.
Formerly every manufacturer made yokes as best
suited his fancy, but some twenty years ago the
National Rod and Reel Association adopted three
standards for reel-yokes. The smallest, 34-inch,
was cut on the arc of a ten cent piece; for 7%.
inch reelseats, a nickel; and for 1-inch reelseats,
a silver quarter. Nearly all manufacturers fol-
low these gauges.
Assemble all the parts of the reelseat and push
it down over the pine sleeve, working it well
84
ONE-PIECE BAIT-CASTING RODS
into the topmost cork, to form a waterproof
joint. If the taper fits the tapered end of the
pine sleeve, remove the seat, coat the sleeve with
cement or glue and push the reelseat home. <A
brass pin through the hooded end and reelseat
will fix the metal parts of your handgrasp rigidly.
This pin should merely enter the wood of the
rod, but not penetrate far, or it may weaken it.
I prefer to use two very small brass camera
screws, one on each side of the hood, and two
of these instead of one pin in the buttcap. They
are not so likely to work loose as is the case
with pins. They should be 3-inch long.
Now, go over the rod with the finest sand-
paper, wet the wood to raise the grain, let it
dry, then cut it down with a bit of well-worn
fine sandpaper, polish diligently with shavings
from the rod, and finally rub with silk paper
until you secure a high gloss. Replace the agate
top, rub the rod with coach varnish on a rag,
and suspend it on a brad in an airy or sunny
place free from dust until it is dry. Tut. is
crooked, let it hang with a heavy reel in place.
Tie the guides on with cord, attach a reel, and
practice with the rod until you are satisfied—
85
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
either that it suits you or that it needs reduc-
ing a trifle in places where it seems too stiff. If
the latter use fine sandpaper, sparingly.
Just here it is well to quote the late Major
Traherne who, in “The Badminton Library on
Salmon and Trout,” said of the greenheart sal-
mon rod:
“I am at a loss how to describe it, but its
virtue lies in an equal distribution of strength,
in proportion, from the butt to the point. A
heavy butt, with no spring to it, and with a
weak top, is of little use for casting purposes
peyond a certain distance. The spring should
be felt, to a certain extent, to the bottom of the
butt when casting; and I consider a rod which
does not possess this quality of little or no
value.”
This applies to all rods, whether for lure or
fly-casting; but in finishing the bait-rod it is
well to remember that for quick, snappy casting
the taper from the middle to the tip-end should
be more rapid than in a rod intended for slow,
even casting with light lures, and for accuracy
casting. In this the taper may be rapid for a
short distance, then slow to the tip, giving greater
86
ONE-PIECE BAIT-CASTING RODS
resilience to the whole rod, but retaining strength
near the handgrasp.
Several trials should satisfy you with the rod.
If it is reduced in places, finish as before, with
the final coat of varnish rubbed in. This thin
coat serves as a protection under the silk wind-
ings, which, as will be explained in the proper
place, are put on without wax. You are now
ready to wind and varnish the rod.
If you decide to wind the grasp with cord,
procure one of the pine single grasps which cost
about twenty cents, and trim it to fit the reel-
seat snugly, tapering at the forward end to fit
the metal taper. Slide it down over the rod and
glue it in place. When dry form a shoulder
at the bottom so the cord will end there, as
shown in Fig. 31, and wind with cord. The
cord should be covered for a quarter-inch at the
butt by the cap, and for an equal distance at
the other end by the reelseat. The latter is put
on in the same fashion as with a cork grasp.
If you wish to make a double cork grasp, the
reelseat and taper shown in Fig. 18 are neces-
sary. In this case the corks for the lower grasp
are followed with a pine sleeve a quarter-inch
87
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
shorter at each end than the reelseat. This is
cemented on and another cork pressed down until
it butts against the sleeve and is pierced slightly
by the upper end of the reelseat. More corks
are glued on until the desired length of the small
upper grasp is attained, then the glue given time
to dry. The cork is then worked down, taper-
ing forward until the small metal taper finishes
it off. This is cemented lightly in place.
A double grasp, cord wound, requires more
care. It is first necessary to obtain a pine grasp,
bored through. These come in the shape shown
in Fig. 32, and much longer than necessary. Saw
in the middle, fit, and wind the lower grasp,
try the reelseat and cut off the cylindrical part
of the grasp so that the joint will come under
the reel, rather below the center. Attach the
reelseat permanently and fit the upper grasp, mak-
ing it fit snugly, but allowing for the thickness
of the cord to be wound over it. Now wind a
dozen turns of cord over the upper grasp (see
Fig. 33) and try it, removing the cord and tak-
ing off a little wood until it will butt against the
other end under the reelseat. Replace the cord,
coat the rod and inside of grasp with glue and
88
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RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
push it home. Continue the winding until the
upper grasp is covered, then tie off and fit the
taper (Fig. 18) snugly in place.
These cord-wound grasps should be given two
coats of shellac and one of coach varnish as soon
as they are dry. It must be remembered that
small cord, when varnished, is somewhat slip-
pery when wet, and large cord harsh to the hand.
If the size is equal to that of D or E silk line
it will make a good grasp.
I prefer the cork grasps for many reasons,
among them being the ease with which they can
be made after one has had a little practice. Cork
must be humored, as it were. If you find that
sandpapering the grasp lengthwise does not re-
sult in a velvety finish, secure the rod in a vise
after wrapping it with several thicknesses of
cloth, and with a long strip of the finest sand-
paper, go over the grasp just as a bootblack does
with his polishing cloth, turning the rod occas-
ionally. You will soon learn to impart a nice
finish, and this will prove that you can, on a
pinch, get along without the use of a lathe.
CHAPTER VII
One-Piece Bait-Casting Rods with
Separate Handgrasps
To make a rod of the second class, in
which the handgrasp is to be single and nine
inches in length, the wood for the tip, in-
clusive of the agate top, will be approximately
581%4 inches long, as the ferrule center on the
large end of the tip will enter the handgrasp fer-
rule about 1%4 inches. These ferrules should be
15-32 of an inch in diameter and of the type shown
in Fig. 17. The large end of tip is marked for a
distance equal to the small end of the center,
and the wood carefully reduced with a file until
-it will enter the center snugly to its very end.
as illustrated in Fig. 34. The center is then
cemented on, and the tip is ready for its rubbed
coat of varnish and the winding. Obviously
this tip is to be made of the same diameter as
OI
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
rods of the first class—described in a preceding
chapter—save that it begins to taper at the
ferrule.
Rods of this class are not always made with
two tips, but this can be done by purchasing
two centers to fit the ferrule in the hand-grasp.
By making one tip as described above, and the
Li awndyy ny yyy yoni
FIG. 34.
Large end of tip, shouldered to fit a capped ferrule center.
other one with a rapid or hollow taper for six
inches above the ferrule, then gradual to the
small end, practically two rods will be the re-
sult. One tip can be stiff, for distance casting,
and the other one more willowy, for accuracy
or light lure casting—a very useful combina-
tion. 21 have-made a tip of this sort, from
bethabara which will cast a quarter-ounce lure
nicely, and is so well proportioned that it is
a pleasant rod to fish with. The dimensions
92
ONE-PIECE RODS WITH SEPARATE HANDGRASPS
follow, and may be compared for reference with
those given in Fig. 29. The center is 15-32 of
an inch, and the wood tapers quickly at first, to
23-64 at the six-inch mark; at 12 inches, 21-64;
18 inches, 19-64; two feet, 17-64; 2% feet, 15-64;
f Se
jf)» ae fe aunieuanamorasasan
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Ferrule riveted on wood core of hand-grasp, pine sleeve
ready to be glued on, and reel-seat and corks for grasp.
three feet, 13-64; 3% feet, 11-64; four feet, 5-32;
4% feet, 14; 58% inches, at the top, 7-64 of an
inch.
A separate single hand-grasp can be made as
follows: Fit the ferrule (Fig. 17) on a piece of
light but springy wood like spruce, dagama or
ereenheart. This must be rounded nicely and
the ferrule seated on it just so that the center
93
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
will not touch the wood. Cement and rivet the
ferrule on to the core, fit a pine sleeve over the
wood and the ferrule, with forward end of sleeve
tapered to fit a reel-seat like that shown in Fig.
16. Nowtry the reel-seat, and when it fits snugly,
with its lower end extending a quarter-inch be-
low the pine sleeve, glue the sleeve on the wood
and the reel-seat on it, and rivet or screw the
reel-seat in place.
Slide a perforated cork forward over the
wood and work the end of the reel-seat into it
until it butts against the end of the sleeve. Glue
this cork in place, following with others until
the total length of grasp, inclusive of reel-seat,
is nine inches, when the wood core is cut oft
and the cork finished and fitted with a butt-
cap. A hand-grasp of this form will never come
apart if properly made. Its parts are anchored
at both ends.
If to be cord-wound, the pine grasp is fitted
over the wood core and ferrule, the taper placed -
over the ferrule and the grasp fitted to it, as in
Fig. 35. Beginning at a point that will be
covered by the after end of the reel-seat, the
grasp is wound a few times with cord and the
94
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RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
reel-seat fitted over it. The core is then coated
with glue and the grasp pushed forward until
the reel-seat and the tapered end of the grasp fit
closely, when the winding is resumed and tied
off at the shouldered butt end. The butt cap
and reel-seat being riveted in place, this sepa-
rate grasp is ready for shellac and varnish.
If to be double, and cord-wound, the forward
grasp is first fitted over the wood core, the
taper (Fig. 18) pushed up against the welt on
the ferrule, and a few turns of cord wound on
the tapered end of the upper grasp, then this
grasp glued in place on the wood core, with
the winding covered by the taper. Continue to
wind down to the cylindrical part, fit the reel-
seat and glue it on, wind a few turns over the
lower grasp, try it and finally glue it in place,
then wind to the shouldered butt end and fit
the butt cap. The two parts of the pine grasp
abut inside the reel-seat, as illustrated in Fig. 33.
96
CHAPTER VIII
Two-Piece Bait-Casting Rods
For a rod consisting of two pieces of equal
length, it is well to begin with a butt three feet
long and 54-inch square, and two tips, each
three feet by 34-inch. If the taper is to be the
same as in the rod of the first class, the only
extras will be a 17-64 inch ferrule with two
closed-end centers, one for each tip. The tips
will taper from 17-64 to 7-64 inch.
Naturally the beginner would make the butt
first, whereas I advise him to make the tips
first, for this reason: The offset and tube tops
are not all of the same length, and if it is de-
sired to make all pieces exactly the same length,
the tips should be finished first. This applies
especially to three-piece rods, in making which
it is difficult for the beginner to figure correctly
on the separate parts; for the length of the tip
97
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
is added to when the top is put on, and each of
the ferrules adds something, so that it is hard
to get all pieces of the same length without
wasting time trying and cutting until all are
correct. I give exact lengths for each piece,
but if it is desired to make the rod longer or
shorter than five and one-half feet, it must be
remembered that the trimmed tip shown in Fig.
38 is slightly more than one-half the total length
of the rod, for the reason that the ferrule on the
butt adds 1% inches to the actual length of the
wood; hence the wood in the butt must be
slightly shorter than the wood in the tips, in
order that all parts will be the same length
when completed.
Extreme care must be exercised in fitting the
centers on the tips, as the least uneven place
will force the center out of true alignment, and
this applies to the ferrule, too. It is also easy
to break a tip in sandpapering. When the tips
are finished (see Fig. 37) they will be 33 inches
in length and 3334 when fitted with centers and
tops, as shown in Fig. 38. When polished for
the last time, they should be rubbed with
varnish and suspended.
98
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RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
One of the common bevel-gear drill stocks,
with a chuck large enough to take a %4-inch
drill can be made to serve you in a way its
manufacturers probably never thought of. This
tool is made with a revolving wheel and handle
on one side, for the right hand, and a stationary
knob on the other, for steadying with the left
hand. Remove this knob and fasten its spindle
in the vise, wheel and handle on top. The
chuck will take one of your tips, but do not
close it too tightly. Turn the wheel with your
left hand and polish your tips with a bit of sand-
paper held in the right hand, moving forward
and back very rapidly, to prevent circular
scratches. If the tip is springy, be very careful
as you approach its small end, for with this
makeshift lathe you may snap off the end if
you happen to let the sandpaper slip and catch it.
By fitting a wood plug into the ferrule and
securing the other end of the plug in the chuck,
you can polish the butt or joint of your rod,
but it is advisable to have some one else turn
the wheel while you support the rod with one
hand and polish with the other. This of course
applies to tips, too.
100
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RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
The butt of your rod will be 32% inches long
when ready for ferrule and hand-grasps (see
Fig. 39). It will taper from 15-32 at the for-
ward end of grasp to 19-64 at the ferrule, the
cap on this ferrule being 1-32 of an inch larger
than the cap on its center.
At first the tip may seem too heavy, but it
must be remembered that it should be heavier
in a wood rod than in one of split bamboo, and
that whereas many split bamboo tournament
rods are made with very little resiliency in the
butt, the wood rod, when the tip is placed on
the floor and pressure applied, should show a
nice arch for more than half its length from
the tip, while there should be quite a bit of
spring below the ferrule. There is no fixed rule
for determining how much to take off the butt.
Testing it repeatedly will be the best plan, but
if it still seems too stiff, the diameter of the butt
must be reduced with the greatest care, else you
may go too far. Placing the ferrule in the
center of the rod requires more care in trying it
out than if there are two ferrules—as in a three-
piece rod—but practice with reel and weight will
satisfy you.
102
TWO-PIECE BAIT-CASTING RODS
When the taper of the butt joint suits you, the
grasp is put on as described in Chapter VI., the
wood is finished as described for the tips, rubbed
with varnish, and it is then ready for winding.
It is made without pins through ferrule and
centers, as will be noted. Pins keep the ferrules
in place, but unless put in by an expert, they
may weaken the wood where it needs strength,
and good cement may be depended on. At
most a ferrule may work loose, but it is merely
necessary to warm it temporarily to secure it
until it can be removed and put back with new
winding or a little more cement.
All of the best rods are equipped with pinned
ferrules, and they seldom work loose. But these
are fitted by expert workmen, aided by the
finest machine tools. As I am writing from
the beginner’s point of view, I advise cement
only. Should a joint be broken while you are
far from home, there is no troublesome pin to
pick out. Instead, you warm the ferrule, push
out the broken wood and set the ferrule on a
freshly fitted part.
103
CHAPTER VIX
Three-Piece Rods
THE most common type known is_ the
three-piece rod, the separate parts of which
are of equal length. The angler who must
go far afield for his fishing demands a rod
that is compact, just as he wants a take-down
gun in the autumn. The difficulty experienced
in traveling in trains and street cars, as well
as in walking through crowded streets argues
against unwieldy parcels, and the fly or bait rod
must be made in lengths convenient to carry.
The rodmaker might argue until doomsday in
favor of long-joint rods, claiming better action,
greater strength, etc., but he could never per-
suade his patrons that these qualities outweigh
the greater handiness of short joints.
This being true, the rodmakers place the
joints where they will affect the action of the
104
THREE-PIECE RODS
rods the least; namely, in two places, making
even an II-foot fly-rod conveniently portable
when taken down. They carry this practice to
the longest salmon rods, which are nearly al-
ways made in three joints, proving that no
maker likes to place ferrules in the middle of
the rod—which is necessary in making a four-
joint rod. The principal exceptions are the short
two-piece salt-water rods, which are more or
less stiff throughout their length; and the short
bait-casting rods.
In a 5%4-foot bait-casting rod of the necessary
caliber, two ferrules make the joints very short,
and the stiff metal is actually about one-eighth
the total length of the rod. Aside from the fact
that the ferrules in short three-piece rods are
placed to better advantage, the rod made in two
pieces of equal Jength is to be recommended.
Certainly it is almost as easy to make two of
this type as one with three joints and an extra
tip. When the three-joint rod is to be made
6 or 6% feet long, however, its advantages in-
crease with its length.
In a 5'%4-foot rod made in three pieces of
equal length, and of the caliber given in Fig.
105
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
29, the ferrules will be 21-64 inch, with one
center; and 13-64 inch, with two centers, for the
tips. The tips when completed and fitted with
tops, will be 2234 inches long and will be tapered
from 13-64 to 7-64. Finish these first. It is
well to bear in mind that you cannot make each
of the other two joints one-third of the total
length of the finished rod, for the reason that
the tip is to be pushed one inch into the ferrule
of the middle joint, and this in turn 1% inches
into the ferrule on the butt joint, while these two
ferrules add to the actual length of the two
lower parts.
A more difficult problem in division and ad-
dition it would be hard to find. The first time
I tried to make a rod of three pieces of equal
length I almost gave it up in despair, for despite
what I thought was exact calculation, the sepa-
rate parts would vary or the total would be too
great. Finally I drew a pencil mark on the
floor just 5% feet long, and sitting down,
puzzled the problem out by placing the three
parts of the rod, with the ferrules beside them,
on the line, and measuring until the adjustments
were correct.
106
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THREE-PIECE RODS
The actual length of the middle joint will be
21% inches, for the top or female ferrule will
extend 1 inch beyond the wood, making this
joint 2234 inches when it is finished. Taper the
wood from 21-64 to 15-64, it being remembered
that the cap of the ferrule is slightly larger in-
side than the caps of its centers. Cement the
ferrule on the small end of the middle joint
and the center of the butt ferrule on the other
end.
The wood of the butt joint will be 21% inches
long, as the ferrule adds 1%4, making its total
length 2234 inches. Taper it from 15-32 at the
pencil mark, indicating the upper end of the
handgrasp, to 11-32, to fit the cap of the ferrule,
which is 21-64 at the small end.
You are now ready for the handgrasp, the
various forms of which are described in pre-
ceding chapters. Careful testing is necessary
before this rod can be finished, for different
pieces of wood vary considerably, and it is
seldom one can make all the tapers just what
he expects to. The two lower joints may need
fining down until the action suits you, and in
some rods I have substituted 19-64 for the 21-64
107
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
inch lower ferrule, making a hollow taper from
handgrasp forward a few inches, then uniform
taper to the first ferrule.
If the rod is to be six feet long, which will
make it much sweeter for fishing and accuracy
casting—its three joints considered—the ferrules
should be 15-64 and 21-64. One of my favorite
bethabara rods is 5 feet 103g inches long and
it is a very pleasant) rod:.to” fish with; ai
ferrules and calibers are the same as those given
above.
108
CHAPTER X
Split Bamboo Rods
Few amateurs attempt to make split bamboo
rods because they believe the work is too com-
plicated. It is at once a difficult and yet a
very simple proposition, as will appear later on.
Good material properly worked up will give
you a first-class rod. Patience and perseverance
are necessary, for the preparatory work requires
great care, and the least slip of plane or file
may ruin an otherwise perfect strip.
You cannot copy a wood rod in bamboo, for
aside from the fact that they are essentially
different in every way, you can always measure
the exact diameter of your wood rods,- but
must measure the “flat” surfaces of the hex-
agonal bamboo, and these do not give true
calibers. Neither can you hope to determ'ne
109
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
its calibers in the professional way. Long ex-
perience tells them where a rod needs strength,
and where it should be tapered rapidly. Even
in examining one of their rods you will not
notice the slight variations at certain places,
which seem trivial to you, but are the result of
burning much midnight oil and trying, altering,
testing to attain perfection.
In making each of the strips you halve the
actual caliber, but only approximately. Finally,
you must work very slowly. If you finish six
perfect strips of whatever length in a day you
will work faster than you should. Remember
that you cannot use your split bamboo rod as
soon as finished, as you can a wood rod. There-
fore, go slow.
These remarks are not intended to discourage
you, but rather to make you cautious. The first
time I actually finished six strips of bamboo and
began to glue them, my hands trembled so that
the work was very poorly done; for I had been
told that I could not do it, and I half expected
them to fly apart despite the excess of glue on
the strips, on my hands and on the floor. Asa
matter of fact you will be delighted—just as I
IIo
SPLIT BAMBOO RODS.
was—and the result will be much more satis-
factory than you anticipate.
If you decide to use Calcutta, select several
canes 144 inches or more in diameter at the
large end, having in mind the fact that the
burns must not penetrate the enamel. Pound
each piece smartly on the floor and examine
closely for worm holes, and the dust from them.
Cut the pieces at least a foot longer than the
finished joint is to be. Split them through the
eyes where the leaves grew, for this part is
worthless. An old table knife will serve the
purpose. This will leave about two-thirds of
each cane from which to make selections.
Split up enough to give you six good pieces,
and plane two sides of each strip, leaving it
nearly equare in section. Keep in mind the
fact that the rind or enamel is not to be touched
with any tool. In squaring up the strips ap-
proximate the taper of each one, but otherwise
do not disturb the pith side.
Examine each strip carefully for worm holes,
and if there is the slightest indication of these
in it, break it up. Worm-eaten bamboo is the
bane of the rodmaker.
III
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
File the knots slightly and lay the strips side
by side, rind up. Now note the burns again,
and if any of them char the enamel, reject that
strip and try another one. Next try the strips
which contain the leaf eyes, bending them in
every direction and noting the arch as well as
their inclination to set. If they will not spring
back straight, particularly when the rind is on
the convex side of the curve, they may not be
properly seasoned. If faults appear in these
rejected strips, examine their mates, which you
propose to use, but do not subject them to
severe strains. The weeding out of poor ma-
terial, if it is done at this stage, may save time
and labor later on. See that the bamboo has
no greenish hue, indicating that it is not sea-
soned. It should be yellow and split far ahead
of the knife blade.
If six strips pass inspection, place them so
that no two knots will be opposite or even near
each other, saw off the ends and mark all of
the strips, so that they cannot be reversed by
accident. Dipping the butt ends in red ink isa
good plan. Number them from I to 6 on the
rind side. They should be some three inches
112
SPLIT BAMBOO RODS
longer than the finished joint is to be, so that
you will have leeway in trimming the ends.
Sharpen your plane on an oilstone until its
edge is very keen. Bamboo requires the utmost
care in planing, and a dull tool must not be
used on it. Set the plane very fine and test it
on a rejected strip of cane. It is well, too, to
put an old glove on your left hand while you
hold the cane in place in planing and filing it.
A slip may result disastrously, for the rough
edge of a triangular strip of cane will make a
jagged wound.
If your material is Tonkin cane, the same
rules laid down for Calcutta may be applied
to it.
You will now prepare to bevel two sides of
each one of your strips, to make its section
triangular, with the apex exactly opposite the
center of the enamel base, and the angle formed
by the two sides to be 60 degrees, as illustrated
in Fig. 44.
There are “forty-’leven’”’ ways to do the rough
beveling, and as many more methods employed
in finishing the strips. You can begin to bevel
the strips in the grooved edge of a tongued-
113
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
and-grooved board. Another way is to nail a
strip of wood near the edge of your work bench,
forming a right-angled rabbet. Some rodmakers
use a hardwood block with rabbets cut in two
corners. Still another plan is to prepare two
blocks like those illustrated in Fig. 41, with the
angle of the groove 60 degrees.
I like the grooved board referred to in the
chapter on “One-Piece Bait-Casting Rods.” You
can procure a piece about four feet long and
keep it handy. It is serviceable for rounding
wood rods, for squaring bamboo strips, which
lie well in the groove; and for the preliminary
beveling of these strips. This piece of board,
and the hardwood block illustrated in Fig. 42,
will answer all your requirements in split cane
work.
Some amateurs, however, like to use blocks
similar to those illustrated in Fig. 41. To make
these, procure two pieces of seasoned hard-
wood. Cherry, birch or maple will be better
than oak; beech will answer. Make the blocks
four feet long, 2 inches wide and 1% inches
thick. Plane off the corners as indicated by
the dotted lines in Fig. 41. Plane very carefully,
114
SPLIT BAMBOO RODS
a little at a time, then fasten the two blocks
temporarily in the vise while you test the
groove with the handy little gauge illustrated
in Fig. 43. This is a center gauge costing
twenty cents at hardware shops, and it not only
has three 60-degree notches, but scales gradu-
ated in 14ths, 20ths, 24ths and 32ds of an inch.
As it is tempered steel, you can true up the
OSTEO
FIG. 4I.
groove with it and with a three-cornered file
from which the handle has been removed. Both
the gauge and the file have angles of 60 degrees.
The depth of the groove does not so much mat-
ter as its shape, for on this depends the char-
acter of your finished strips.
When satisfied that one of the grooves is
correct, fasten the two blocks securely with at
least four screws, reverse and true up the other
groove.
115
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
We will assume, for the sake of brevity and
simplicity, that your first groove is to be for
the rough beveling of the strips of the butt joint
of a two-piece rod, whose diameter at the large
end is to be 15-32 of an inch, and at the small
end 9-32. We will also assume that the depth
of the groove is uniformly %4-inch from end to
end. Secure the block against shifting and
plane its face until the depth of the groove at
one end is 15-64 and at the other 9-64 inch. To
be certain there are no uneven places, test with
a straight edge, both lengthwise and across the
block, then mark its entire face with a pencil.
The depth of the second groove will range
from 9-64 to 3-64, assuming that the tip end
of your rod is to be 3-32 inch when finished.
Now place a squared strip of cane in the
large groove of your block, with the rind at one
side, and take off a very fine shaving with your
plane. Turn the strip and plane the other side,
being careful to go over the knots with a shear-
ing motion, else the plane will “bite” into the
knots. See that you do not take off any of the
face of the block, which you marked with
pencil for this purpose.
: 116
SPLIT BAMBOO RODS
By this time your strip will be roughly tri-
angular, but the edges should not be sharp.
Take up another strip and bevel it in the same
fashion and so on until the six strips are ready
for the finer work.
Turn the block over and bevel the strips for the
FIG. 42.
tips in the shallow groove, then lay the block
aside. Some amateurs finish their strips in
grooves of this sort, but it is so difficult to make
a perfect groove of this length, and to prevent
the strip from rolling, that the following method
is the better one:
For this purpose procure a block of hard
117
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
maple, birch or beech, two inches thick, 2%
inches wide and six inches long. Make it fast
in the vise and with a pencil draw four parallel
lines from end to end. With a saw cut shallow
grooves on these marks. Take up your three-
cornered file and cut the first groove. Its bot-
tom will be slightly round, as the edge of the
file is rather blunt, but you can true up the
groove with the point of your steel gauge (Fig.
43). Cut the first groove 15-64, the second
13-64, the third 11-64, and the fourth 9-64 inch
deep. In this work the utmost care must be
exercised to keep the top side of the file level
with the surface of the block, to keep the angles
of the groove perfect.
Turn the block over, draw four or five lines
as before, groove them with the saw, and file
the grooves. (See Fig. 42.) Make the first
one \%-inch deep, the second 7-64, the third 3-32,
the fourth 5-64 and the last one 1-16 inch deep.
These are for your tips, which require the
greatest care; therefore the grooves may be
safely made uniform in depth and you can shift
steadily to a smaller groove as you file from the
large to the small end. Cover both faces of the
118
SPLIT BAMBOO RODS
block with pencil marks, to assist you in keep-
ing the file out of contact with the block.
Fastening this block in the vise with the larger
set of grooves up, begin with one of the strips
for the butt of your rod. Lay it in the largest
groove with the enamel at one side, and com-
mencing at the butt end, work your flat file for-
ward and back, being careful to hold it parallel
with the face of the block. Turn the strip often.
in order that you may be sure to keep the angles
true, and go from groove to groove until the
strip is reduced evenly throughout its length,
beginning again in the largest groove and con-
tinuing as before, until the strip will lie in the
groove flush with the surface of the block, no
matter which side is uppermost. Do not attempt
to file across the grain of your strip, as it will
119
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
sliver if you do. The plane cannot with safety
be used in finishing strips. The proper tool for
this is the flat file.
Test all angles of the strip frequently with
the little steel gauge, going from end to end,
filing, testing, sighting along the strip, blowing
the dust out of each groove before laying the
strip in it.
Proceed in like fashion with the other strips,
each one of which must be an equilateral tri-
angle in section; that is, excepting the convexity
of the rind side. In other words, the apex of
the triangle must be exactly opposite the center
of the enamel base, as in Fig. 44, and the angle
formed by the two pith sides 60 degrees. Each
of the edges must be sharp, and in order to
make them so, be careful that you do not raise
a sliver at the enamel edges, and in removing
it destroy the perfection of the glue joint.
Turning the grooved block over, take up your
strips for the tips. Even greater care is neces-
sary with them, for they run so small at the tip
end that the least error will ruin one. Use the
gauge frequently. Do not be satisfied with a
fair strip; make it perfect. Keep in mind the
120
SPLIT BAMBOO RODS
fact that you cannot use the rod for several
months, anyway, and that a day more or less in
finishing strips will not matter.
I have said split cane rodmaking is both diffi-
cult and simple. If you will be careful and
patient, the difficulties will be overcome. Could
anything be more simple than this little block
of hardwood, which you can carry in your
FIG. 46.
pocket, and which is easily made, yet is in fact
a mold for all the strips of your rod? Despite
all the advances in toolmaking and in labor sav-
ing devices, some of the most expert rodmakers
use this little hand-made block of wood.
By the time you have finished the six strips
for the tip of your rod, you will have acquired
great respect for the six-inch block. In a block
the full length of a strip the tendency of the
latter to roll is very aggravating, but in the
121
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
short block this is greatly reduced, although
not entirely overcome, it being difficult to hold
even this short length against rolling when the
enamel side is convex.
It must be understood that one set of grooves
will serve for a long one-piece rod, for one part
of a two-piece rod, or for one part of a three-
piece rod, provided their number and depth are
properly regulated. The angle for all is the
same, and the notches in your steel angle gauge
will be correct for testing all strips.
There are many other methods employed in
beveling and tapering strips, as I said before,
but the simplest one is given here, for if the
beginner is confronted with a complicated sys-
tem involving planes fitted with bevel blocks, ad-
justable “shooting boards,’ taper gauges and
protractors, he cannot be blamed for shying
from this interesting branch of rodmaking.
When your strips are finished, their glassy
surfaces may seem to be poor holding ground
for glue, and you may be tempted to roughen
them. This is a mistake. To satisfy yourself,
wet one of the surfaces slightly and after it has
dried, pass your finger over it. You will find the
122
SPLIT BAMBOO RODS
grain raised enough to prove that this will be
taken care of by the hot glue.
Fit a set of six strips together and wind them
spirally with thread, so that they will all be in
perfect contact. Examine all parts carefully and
see that the pith sides come together through-
out, and that no strip sinks below its proper
plane, as it will do if its taper is not the same
as that of the other strips. In this case a new
strip must be made to replace it. Cheap rods
are often corrected for this fault by winding
a narrow piece of paper spirally around the
imperfect place in the strip, then removing the
paper from the surface after gluing, but this is
not to be recommended, as you would regret it
later on, perhaps by the seam opening. Gauge
carefully the taper of the assembled strips and
mark all places that need further reducing.
In a preceding chapter I said that double
enamel rods are excellent if carefully made. In
working thin-walled cane this system has some
points of excellence, and the amateur who is
skilled with the plane and the file can work
it nicely, especially for butts and middle joints.
Square up the rough stock and match two
123
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
strips with reference to the knots. Decide
which is to be the surface strip and plane it to
rectangular section, with the rind on the bot-
tom. Do not touch the rind. Now plane the
second or inner strip to match, but file off just
enough of the center of the rind to make a glue
joint, it being remembered that the convex rind
of the inner strip cannot otherwise be glued
to the pith side of the outer strip. Glue the
strips together, wind with cord, place under a
weight or clamp together until dry. In section
your double enamel strip will be like Fig. 45,
while Fig. 46 shows the sectional view of a
finished strip. It is best to make the outer strip
thinner than the inner one, as in this way the
maximum of rind is obtained.
It must be understood that in filing the rind
of the inner strip, only a very small portion of
its center is to be removed. This will affect
the strip very little when the two are glued
together.
It is not advisable for the beginner to try this
method on tips until he has mastered the less
complicated hexagonal work, if at all.
When your assembled strips are ready for
124
SPLIT BAMBOO RODS
gluing, warm them while heating the glue, and
for each set of strips have ready a piece of
strong thread. You can glue the strips with
another person’s assistance. To do this glue a
few inches at a time, your assistant keeping them
separated for the purpose. Wind them spirally,
glue a few more inches, wind again, and so on
until finished, then wind back to the place of
beginning. Whatever the method, pass_ the
strips over a flame before pressing them into
contact, in order to be sure the glue is hot, and
after the strips have been wound in one direc-
tion they can be again passed over a flame, then
the reverse winding completed. I prefer to use
the best French glue, applying it with a flat
brush while very hot. Before using fresh glue
I soak it over night in cold water. It should
be quite thin.
Now sight along each strip alternately and
correct the natural tendency to twist spirally.
Rolling in the hands while gluing will partially
correct this. Fasten the glued stock on a board
or a rod by winding loosely around both, to
prevent warping.
Glued joints should be left in a warm room
125
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
until thoroughly dry. A month is not too long,
and the best rodmakers dislike to let rods go
out of their shops if the stock has had less than
four months to dry and harden. As a rule they
glue their stock in the autumn and make up
rods from it the following spring, these rods
being kept out of the anglers’ hands for six
months at least. Tournament rods should sea-
son even longer, for they are put to the severest
tests.
Since the above was written I have received
from P. S. Redfield, of Providence, R. I., a
veteran angler, some suggestions that are prac-
tical. He says:
“Tf you will pardon me, I would like to make
a simple suggestion as regards gluing split bam-
boo for rods. As you know, all labor is lost and
bitter disappointment follows if the gluing prove
defective. After various failures in gluing bam-
boo strips together, it occurred to me to devise
some simple but sure method of gluing and the
following glue-pot was invented. Get a piece of
common speaking tube—such as were formerly
used in houses to call the kitchen girl to the
chambers or dining room. One inch in diameter
126
SPLIT BAMBOO RODS
is sufficient and 2% feet long. On one end
solder a piece of brass or copper three inches
square for a base, and it is ready for the thin,
hot glue that has been freshly prepared in a
sauce-pan set in another dish of boiling water.
The glue should thus be well cooked—say an
hour—stirring frequently with a thin wood
paddle.
“Enough glue should be thus prepared to about
fill the tube. Now set the thing in a teakettle of
boiling water and the glue will keep hot—a very
important thing for success—till you glue all
your pieces. When through using, and while the
glue is hot, empty the tube and rinse well in hot
water till perfectly clean of glue, dry and hang
bottom up for further use.
“Too much care cannot be taken to prevent
rusting this tube—as rust and dirt will spoil glue
—and so much depends on the gluing.
“T need not tell how to use this glue-pot, as
you have already given directions to have the
pieces for each joint wound spirally with coarse
thread. It will be well to unwind a few inches
at a time, commencing at the small end. As the
piece is unwound, and pushed down in the glue,
127
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
it will act like an egg-beater and consequently
glue all surfaces. When half of a piece has been
thus unwound and whipped in the glue, wind the
thread back, pressing the strips together and the
glue out; then unwind the other end to a little
beyond where the glue reached before, thus
surely gluing every part; then rewind and have
a rag handy in a dish of hot water to gently
wipe most of the glue from the outside of the
joint. Do not wipe too clean, for if a little glue
is left on the thread all the better, and no trouble
will be found in taking off the winding.”
Remember that no matter how perfect your
glue joints are, if your gluing is badly performed
your work will be wasted. It is folly to attempt
to glue strips in pairs, then glue and assemble
the three pairs. As your object is to get all the
glue possible into your joint, then get all of this
out that can be excluded by winding tightly with
cord, the best way is to glue and wind, glue and
wind until you finish the joint, always heating
the applied glue before winding. Thick glue sim-
ply cannot be used. I found this the most diff-
cult part of split cane rodmaking—at first, but I
practiced on short strips until I mastered the
128
SPLIT BAMBOO RODS
work, and in this way learned how to properly
glue the longest strips. Tips are the most difh-
cult to glue, as they are so small it is at first hard
to prevent twisting them in gluing. If this oc-
curs, however, or 1f the joint is crooked, correct
it, after the windings have been removed, by
heating and twisting or bending until the joint is
straight.
When the stock is dry the double spiral wind-
ings are taken off and the surplus glue removed,
then the bamboo is rubbed very lightly with the
finest sandpaper and the corners rounded
slightly. It is then ready for handgrasp and
ferrules. I prefer to rub lightly with varnish
and let this dry before winding. Split or ser-
rated ferrules should be used on bamboo rods
in preference to the ordinary capped ferrules,
and in fitting these only the corners of the bam-
boo should be removed.
To recapitulate: In order to lead from step
to step without a break I have tried to describe
how the butt and tips of a two-piece rod may
be made. It naturally follows that a three-piece
or a one-piece rod is made in the same fashion,
the depth of the grooves in your little block
129
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
varying to accord with the caliber of the rod-
to-be.
I would, however, advise you to make several
experimental sections of cane before attempting
full length strips; in other words, to practice
with short pieces until you master first princi-
ples.
In order to do this, make your six inch block
(Fig. 42) first of all. Take some rejected strips
a foot or two in length and bevel and finish
them with great care, having in mind a certain
taper and following this religiously. It is sur-
prising how quickly this will teach you the nice-
ties of the system. The short pieces will be
handy to fit and glue together, and later on you
can saw them in two and inspect their ends to
see just how your work turns out. You can also
determine which glue seems best. Go even
further and keep these sample pieces to see how
much you have improved in your work from
time to time.
130
CHAPTER XI
Salt Water Rods
THE best type of rod for salt water fishing is
the long tip and separate handgrasp. This ap-
plies to all rods used in sea fishing, whether for
tarpon, tuna, striped bass, weakfish or small fry,
the length and weight depending on the kind of
fish angled for.
By using the separate handgrasp, the joint
can be made very strong, and tips of different
caliber or length are available, one handgrasp
serving for a part of two or more rods.
Two-piece rods, with the parts equal in length,
come next. Other styles are used occasionally.
Bethabara is the favorite wood and split bam-
boo is coming into more general use for weak-
fish rods and even for larger fish, including tuna
and tarpon.
131
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
It has long been the practice to equip heavy
salt water rods with two sets of guides, so that
any inclination of the tip toward set can be cor-
rected by turning it half way round and using
the other guides, etc. There are objections to
this, due to the possibility of the line catching
on the lower guides, and among anglers for big
sea fish there are many who favor one set of
guides only. The strain of trolling, and of
fighting and landing heavy fish on a long line
will permanently set any tip, but this can be
corrected now and then so that the fault is not
important.
I will give the specifications of three salt water
rods I have made at various times, the material
of all being bethabara, and each being a useful
type. They are illustrated in Fig. 47.
TARPON Rop.—Length, 6 feet 10% inches; tip,
5 feet 514 inches. Handgrasp, 21 inches, wound
with celluloid and fitted with a rubber button.
Swell of handgrasp, 111-32 inches. Reelseat,
I I-16 inches in diameter. Taper of tip, 29-32
to 5-16 inch, uniform throughout. Caliber of
agate stirrup-tube top, 3¢ inch. First set of
132
SALT WATER RODS
trumpet guides, 9 inches from top; second set,
spaced 14 inches; third set, spaced 17 inches;
set of agate hand guides, 25 inches from reel.
The weight is about 24 ounces.
SurF-Castinc Rop.—Length, 6 feet 1114 inches;
tip, 4 feet 1134 inches; handgrasp, 2514 inches
long, or 22%4 inches to center of reel. Swell
of grasp, 13-16 inches; material, a greenheart
17-32 inch core, covered with solid cork, making
a very light as well as springy butt whose core
is of the same diameter as the tip, of which it
is really a continuation. Reelseat, 7% inch, fitted
for a 250-yard reel. Tip calibers: ferrule cen-
ter, 17-32 inch; 6 inches forward, 17-32; 12
inches, 14; 18 inches, 15-32; 24 inches, 7-16; 30
inches, 13-32; 36 inches, 34; 42 inches, 21-64;
48 inches, 9-32; 54 inches, 17-64; at top, 44-inch.
Top, stirrup-tube, 5-16 caliber; raised agate
guide, 1014 inches from top, with the second
guide 14 inches below the first and 36 inches
from the reel. Guide calibers, 5-16 and 3 inch.
This rod weighs only 13 ounces. It was de-
signed for the regulation 214 ounce lead weight
in long distance tournament casting, but will
133
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
also handle a 3 or 4 ounce sinker nicely, this
weight being necessary in casting in the surf,
where the combers will pick up a lighter weight
and carry it into shoal water. It also has tre-
mendous power for its weight, and is resilient
throughout its entire length, in which it differs
from rods having heavy, stiff handgrasps; is a
pleasant rod to fish with and one can cast a
2% ounce weight 175 to 200 feet with very little
effort. The grasp is made in the manner illus-
trated in Fig. 35, but the core is largest under
the reel, then tapers to about 3 inch at the butt,
making it in fact a double-tapered rod.
The grasp is so light that tips of small caliber
and length are available, but for all-round sea
fishing the handgrasp should be made about six
inches shorter.
LicgHt SALT WaTER Rop.—Length, 6 feet 5
inch; joints, 3674 inches. Weight, 13 ounces.
Handgrasp, double, cord-wound; length, 21
inches; swell of lower grasp, 1% inches; of
upper grasp, 1 inch; diameter of reelseat, 7%
inch. Taper, handgrasp to ferrule, uniform,
35-64 to 29-64; ferrule center, 7-16 inch, caliber
134
‘Ly Dla
‘poy J9qIVAA UPS WSIT
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
of tip six inches from center, 13-32; 12 inches,
25-64; 18 inches, 11-32; 24 inches, 21-64; 30
inches, 9-32; at top 15-64 inch. Top, stirrup-
tube, agate, 5-16; bell guide, 914 inches from
top; second guide 5-16, agate, spaced 17% inches
and 27 inches from reel.
This rod is pleasant to use for medium-sized
sea fish, and handles the standard 2% ounce
weight nicely. In one of the tournaments of
the Anglers’ Club of New York in Central Park
five contestants used this rod, the best cast with
it being 190 feet.
The details of construction for similar light
weight wood rods, already given, will apply to
these salt water rods, save that heavier material
will be needed. For my tarpon rod I obtained
bethabara 1 inch square; for the surf rod, %
inch; for butt of two-piece rod, 34 inch, and for
tip % inch.
In making handgrasps for rods of this class, I
leave the wood core somewhat rough, in order
that the glue will have better holding ground
than if the core were polished smooth.
Merely to give an idea of the expense, in time
and cash, to the amateur rodmaker, I give be-
136
SALT WATER RODS
low the following data relating to these three
rods. All are bethabara:
Tarpon Rod.—Cost of material, about $7.50;
time required, ten hours.
Surf Rod.—Cost of material, about $6; time
required, about seven hours.
Light Salt Water Rod.—Material, $4; time,
nine hours.
If the surf rod is made of dagama, purchased
in billet form, the cost can be reduced some-
what. The time given above refers only to
finishing and mounting the rod, and does not in-
clude winding and varnishing.
137
CHAPTER | Xi
Bass and Trout Fly-Rods
Ir the beginner is determined to make an
all-wood fly-rod before attempting to build
one of split bamboo, the directions previously
given for three-joint bait rods will apply here,
with the exceptions that the joints must be made
somewhat longer, the taper slower, and the reel-
seat is placed below the hand. Straight-grained
bethabara makes a nice fly-rod of medium
weight, and dagama works well.
It is scarcely advisable for the novice to begin
his rodmaking on a split bamboo trout fly-rod
of light weight, for the tips run so small that
one can hardly expect to do creditable work
on them at first. But bass fly rods of 6% or 7
ounces are easier to build, and after you have
had some experience with butts and joints, tip
138
BASS AND TROUT FLY-RODS
making will not present insurmountable diff-
culties.
Below are given the calibers of three typical
fly-rods that are excellent for fishing. They
have seen hard service. All are hexagonal bam-
boo. The handgrasps are solid cork, the hand
guides agate, the other guides of steel, snake-
pattern, and the tops loose steel rings:
Heavy Fry-Rop.—Length, 9 feet 8 inches;
weight, 7 ounces. Joints, 39%4 inches long.
Grasp, 9%4 inches long, inclusive of 34 inch reel-
seat. Ferrules, serrated, waterproof, 21-64 and
13-64. Calibers: at taper, 1% inch; 12 inches
from butt, 7-16; 18 inches, 13-32; 2 feet, 25-64;
24 feet, 3%; 3 feet, 23-64; 3% feet, 11-32; 4
feet, 5-16; 4% feet, 19-64; 5 feet, 9-32; 5% feet,
17-64; 6 feet, 14; 6% feet, 15-64; 7 feet, 3-16;
714 feet, 11-64; 8 feet, 9-64; 8% feet, 1%; 9 feet,
7-64; at top, 5-64 inch.
Mepium WEIcHT Fiy-Rop.—Length, 9% feet;
joints, 38%4 inches. Weight, 6 to 6% ounces.
Grasp, 914 inches; reelseat, 34 inch. Ferrules,
serrated, waterproof, 19-64 and 3-16. Calibers:
139
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
butt joint, at taper, 13-32; 1 foot from butt,
25-64; 114 feet, 23-64; 2 feet, 11-32; 2% feet,
21-64; 3 feet, 19-64. Middle joint, 6 inches,
19-64; I foot, 9-32; 1% feet, 17-64; 2 feet, 15-64;
24 feet, 7-32; 3 feet, 13-64. Tips, 6 inches,
11-64; 1 foot, 5-32; 1%4 feet, 9-64; 2 feet, %;
24 feet, 7-64; 3 feet, 5-64.
Trout Fry-Rop.—Length, 9 feet; joints, 36%
inches. Weight, 5%4 ounces with 34-inch metal
reelseat; with reel bands instead, a little less
than 5 ounces. Grasp, 9 inches long. Ferrules,
serrated, waterproof, 9-32 and 11-64 inch. Cali-
bers: butt joint, at taper, 7-16; 1 foot from butt,
25-64; 1% feet, 11-32; 2 feet, 21-64; 2% feet,
5-16; 3 feet, 19-64. Middle joint, 6 inches, 9-32;
1 foot, 17-64; 1%4 feet, 15-64; 2 feet, 7-32; 2%
feet, 13-64; 3 feet, 3-16. Tips, 6 inches, 11-64;
1 foot, 5-32; 1% feet, 4%; 2 feet, 7-64; 2% feet,
3-32; 3 feet, 5-64 inch.
Ordinary sumac, obtainable in any thicket, is
nicely adapted to use for light handgrasps where
reel bands are to be used. It is greenish-yellow
when varnished, but can be stained nicely to re-
semble cedar or cherry, then varnished.
140
‘gh ‘old
‘poy-Ajq sseq ooquieg-3]ds
‘poy-A[ mor, coquieg-1dS
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
Tournament fly-rods are allowed 34 of an
ounce for metal reelseats; therefore a rod just
under 434 ounces will be admitted to the four-
ounce class, and one just under 534 ounces to
the five-ounce class if each has a metal reelseat.
The length limit is 11% feet.
Five-ounce tournament rods are usually 10
feet long and much stiffer than rods made ex-
clusively for fishing, but they are pleasant to
fish with, particularly on windy days, with a
heavy double tapered line.
Heavy single-hand tournament rods that are
admitted to the open-to-all trout fly contests are
limited only in length, to 11%4 feet, but may be
any weight. In the East these seldom weigh
more than 10% ounces and are generally 11 feet
long, but in the West 11 feet 5% inches is a
favorite length and some rods weigh as much
as 13 ounces. These are extremely stiff, and
they are powerful enough to lift 100 or more
feet of heavy oiled silk tapered line out of the
water on the back cast.
The grasps are 12 to 15 inches long, and the
rods taper from about % inch at the grasp to
7-64 at the top, with long and heavy split or
I4e
BASS AND TROUT FLY-RODS
serrated ferrules. These vary in caliber, but are
about 3¢ and % inch in diameter. The middle
joint is heavy and tapers very little at the lower
end.
143
CHAPTER Xit
Salmon Fly-Rods
SIncE the earliest days of fly-fishing, salmon
fly-rods have been made of solid wood, and to-
day, although split bamboo is largely used for
all other fly-rods, there is a steady demand for
solid wood salmon fly-rods. In Great Britain
greenheart salmon rods are still the favorites
with a vast number of the anglers, and it is
likely wood rods will never be entirely replaced
by those of split bamboo for salmon fishing.
In America the demand for salmon rods is
small, for comparatively few of our anglers go
to the Northern and Northeastern waters for
these noble fish, and while those who prefer
split bamboo rods for trout and bass fishing
often wish to use rods of the same material
144
SALMON FLY-RODS
for salmon, a great many favor wood rods.
For tournament casting I prefer split bamboo
to wood in all rods, but split bamboo salmon
rods are very expensive and a well made wood
rod will give its owner a great deal of satisfac-
tion. Furthermore, it is not so difficult to make
as some of the thinner fly-rods.
In a rod whose length ranges from thirteen
to eighteen feet and with a weight of 23 to 32
ounces or more, stiffness in the rod requires
muscle in the angler. To wield a stiff bamboo
rod of 25 ounces and a long and heavy line dur-
ing several hours’ fishing taxes the angler’s
strength more than does a whippy rod of greater
weight, and this is one reason why wood rods
are peculiarly adapted to salmon fishing. <A
nicely proportioned wood rod has good action
and with it a fly can be cast and fished with
less exertion at ordinary salmon fly-casting dis-
tances than is possible with the stiffer bamboo
rod, hence anglers of small stature and average
strength are likely to favor wood rods.
Again, the split bamboo rod does not begin
to. work until a certain length of line is ex-
tended; that is, it requires the pull of a long
145
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
line to make the rod spring properly. Without
this spring the fly cannot be cast neatly at any
distance. Have you ever tried to cast a fly with
a stiff bait rod? You have sufficient power in
the rod, but lack the weight of line that is neces-
sary to get the snap that sends the line in a roll-
ing loop through the air. Try as hard as you
like, you will never be able to cast a fly ten
yards. The wood salmon rod is proportionately
as flexible as the whippiest trout rod, therefore
but little muscle and weight of line are necessary
to develop its spring, and its user can cast lightly
and sweetly at fifty feet or one hundred—for
the rod does most of the work.
In salmon fishing rods, great power is not of
vital importance, for any one of these rods is
capable of handling 100 to 125 feet of double
tapered line, and that means that they can be
depended on to kill the biggest salmon. It is
essential to kill these royal fish on the rod and
to gaff them only after their fight is ended;
therefore a nicely balanced wood rod _ will
answer, it being conceded that bamboo will be
less likely to give way to the accidents that may
occur on any game fish stream.
146
SALMON FLY-RODS
Salmon fly-casting has grown more and more
popular among the clubs that practice fly-casting
as a pastime, and men who have never seen a
salmon river and probably never will see one
have become adepts with the salmon rod and
its heavy line and leader. It appeals to many
who do not care for the contests with four and
five-ounce trout fly-rods, and it is an exceed-
ingly fascinating game.
For a long time the maximum limit to the
length of tournament salmon rods was placed
at eighteen feet, but recently this was changed
and the limit placed at fifteen feet. This is in
line with the desire to use lighter tackle, and
it also enables salmon fishermen to use _ their
thirteen, fourteen and fifteen foot fishing rods in
tournaments, placing them on fairly even terms
with contestants whose rods are made for dis-
tance casting only, but which would be rather
stiff for all-day angling.
Of all the fly-rods, the salmon rod is the
easiest one for the novice to build from solid
wood, and there is no reason why he should
not get excellent results from such a rod con-
structed for use exclusively in what is termed
147
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
tournament casting; in other words, all casting
for practice or for record.
I give the specifications of three salmon rods
that I have used with satisfaction in tournament
casting, and these are illustrated in Fig. 40.
Sptit BAMBoo SALMON Rop.—Length, 14 feet
114 inches; joints, 5 feet 1 inch; weight, 26
ounces; material, six-strip Calcutta bamboo.
Handgrasp, double, 24 inches long, solid cork
fitted to bamboo direct. Length of lower grasp,
7 inches; diameter, I 3-16; buttcap, 1 1-16; reel-
seat, 6 inches long, 1 inch in diameter; upper
grasp, 11 inches long, diameter, 1 3-16. Calibers:
24 inches from butt, at taper, 41-64; 30 inches,
Ye; 3 feet, 39-64; 3% feet, 19-32; 4 feet, 37-64;
4% feet, 35-64; ferrule, capped, welted and ser-
rated, 414 inches long. Middle joint: Ferrule,
3% inches long, 17-32; 6 inches from bottom,
17-32; 12 inches, 14; 18 inches, 14; 2 feet, 31-64;
2% feet, 15-32; 3 feet, 7-16; 314 feet, 13-32; 4
feet, 3g; 4% feet, 11-32; ferrule, capped, welted
and serrated, 33g inches long. Tips: Ferrule,
258 inches long, 21-64; 6 inches, 5-16; 12 inches,
19-64; 18 inches, 9-32; 2 feet, 17-64; 2%4 feet,
148
‘Ob ‘DId
‘poy uouleg ereqeyjog 300}-W99}IN0Y
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
15-64; 3 feet, 13-64; 3% feet, 3-16; 4 feet, 11-64;
4% feet, 9-64; at top, % inch. Tops, loose ring,
steel. Guides: First, agate, 5-16; balance hard
steel snake guides, fifteen in all.
BETHABARA SALMON Rop.—Length, 14 feet I1
inches; joints, 5 feet; weight, 28 ounces. Hand-
grasp, double, 24 inches long, other dimensions
same as split bamboo rod. Calibers: 24 inches
from butt, 34 inch; 30 inches, 45-64; 3 feet,
43-64; 3% feet, 54; 4 feet, 19-32; 4% feet, 9-16;
ferrule, capped and welted, 334 inches long.
Middle joint: Ferrule, 254 inches long, 17-32
diameter; 6 inches, 17-32; 1 foot, 33-64; 18
inches, 33-64; 2 feet, 4; 2% feet, 31-64; 3 feet,
15-32; 3% feet, 27-64; 4 feet, 13-32; 4% feet,
25-64; ferrule, capped and welted, 3% inches
long. Tips: Ferrule, 2 inches long, 23-64; 6
inches, 11-32; 1 foot, 21-64; 18 inches, 5-16; 2
feet, 19-64; 2% feet, 9-32; 3 feet, 14; 3% feet,
7-32; 4 feet, 3-16; 4% feet, 5-32; at top, % inch.
Top, loose steel ring. Guides, same as above.
BETHABARA SALMON Rop.—Length, 14 feet;
joints, 5734 inches; weight, 25%4 ounces. Hand-
150
SALMON FLY-RODS
grasp, same as on other rods. Calibers: 24
inches from butt, 51-64; 214 feet, 43-64; 3 feet,
41-64; 3% feet, 390-64; 4 feet, 37-64; 4% feet,
37-64; ferrule, capped and welted, 334 inches
long. Middle joint: Ferrule, 17-32; 6 inches,
17-32; 1 foot, 33-64; 18 inches, 14; 2 feet, 31-64;
2% feet, 15-32; 3 feet, 7-16; 3% feet, 13-32; 4
feet, 23-64; 414 feet, 11-32; ferrule, capped and
welted, 31%4 inches long. Tips: Ferrule, 21-64;
6 inches, 5-16; 1 foot, 9-32; 18 inches, 17-64; 2
feet, 14; 2% feet, 15-64; 3 feet, 7-32; 3% feet,
13-64; 4 feet, 11-64; 4% feet, 9-64; at top, %
inch. Top, loose steel ring. Guides, one agate,
balance steel snake ring, fourteen in all.
I5I
CHAPTER XLV
Winding Rods
THis subject has been kept for a separate
chapter, in order that the various steps in rod-
making can be clearly understood, and to avoid
repetition. Winding is a part of the work that
can be done at odd moments, on a rainy day or
in the evening, though I would not advise night
work with colored silks, so trying are they on
the eyes.
Let us assume, then, that you have finished
a rod—its type does not matter, as the winding
is similar for all rods—and that it has been
rubbed lightly with varnish and suspended until
absolutely dry.
The first things to consider are the guides. If
the bait-rod is for accuracy casting or for fish-
ing, the hand guide—the first one above the
152
WINDING RODS
reel—will be placed nearer the reel, and more
guides will be used than on a rod intended for
distance casting only, on which two or three
guides will be used. For fly-rods the position
and number of guides depend upon its caliber
and length.
Take up the guides one by one and file the
upper edges of the bases, so that the silk will
not be cut by them in winding; then, with a few
turns of common thread, tie each one on the rod
and true them all up by sighting through them
from both directions. To assist in their align-
ment tiny shallow holes should be drilled in
both ferrules, so that in putting the rod together
it is merely necessary to seat the ferrules with
the two marks opposite in order to align the
guides perfectly. This applies to all rods.
On bait-casting rods for tournament work
alone, it seems best to use only two guides, so
that the hand-guide must be three feet or more
from the reel, the distance between it and the
second guide being slightly more than the
distance between the second guide and the agate
top, in order to insure the least possible fric-
tion on the line.
153
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
If you are particular to have the windings as
handsome as possible, putting them on without
wax will tend to preserve their color, if they are
carefully coated with shellac before varnishing.
On a rod whose preliminary ‘coat of varnish is
still a trifle soft, yet not tacky, unwaxed silk
will adhere nicely when it will not on hard
varnish. Provided the silk is treated with abso-
lutely colorless wax in clean hands, it will keep
its color fairly well, but after the first two or
three windings are put on and coated with
shellac, the tyro will understand why dark
shades of silk cannot well be used. For ex-
ample, dark green silk, waxed but not
shellacked, will turn almost black under the
varnish, and red turns a dull shade. Wax
causes the silk to grip the wood firmly and it
waterproofs the wood in places where there is
only one coat of varnish.
A split cane rod, properly made and cemented,
can be used without windings, provided it is
not exposed to actual soaking. Following this
line of reasoning, some rodmakers hold that
winding a rod does not strengthen it materially.
This may be true of rods whose windings are
154
WINDING RODS
spaced 1%4 or 2 inches apart, but if these are
placed one inch or less apart, they do strengthen
the rod. A rod that is soft in action can be
stiffened by close windings or by winding con-
tinuously from end to end in spirals, provided
the latter are not put on solidly.
If you are in no hurry it is well to make the
windings on the butt of split cane rods narrow,
say twelve turns each, but space them not
further than 114 inches apart, with six or more
windings % inch apart next to the ferrule. On
the joint make the spaces one inch, with a
similar cluster next the ferrules, and vary those
on the tip from 3% to % inch. I am a firm be-
liever in closer windings near the ferrules, to
stengthen the strips there against damage in
twisting—not that ferrules should be separated
in any other manner than with a straight pull.
It is safe, but not always advisable to wind in
spiral form, provided the spirals are not so close
together as to come under the descriptive term
“solidly wound;”’ for while solid winding
strengthens a rod, it also renders it soft in
action, loading it down with a non-resilient
sleeve filled with varnish.
155
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
I do not advocate continuous spiral winding,
but I believe in stiffening a rod in this manner
if the need arises. The plan I have followed
with satisfactory results is to start winding in
the usual way, but after completing ten or a
dozen turns, instead of cutting the silk and
pulling the end under, I follow the “band” by
winding spirally—each turn about 1-32 of an
inch from the next one—for an inch or more,
then winding solidly ten or twelve turns, fol-
lowed by another inch or two of spiral wind-
ing, and so on to the first guide, where the silk
ends. Another series of bands and spiral wind-
ings is begun on the opposite side of the guide,
ending at the second guide, or the ferrule, as the
case may be.
This spiral winding calls for two or three
coats of varnish, which should fill the inter-
stices between spirals, so that the surface will
be entirely smooth, as otherwise a knock or
rough handling will break the single strands of
silk. The bands alone are coated with shellac.
As previously stated, I have great faith in the
conclusions arrived at after long experience by
Frederic M. Halford. He advocates winding
156
WINDING RODS
fly-rods closely, from one-half to three-quarters
of an inch apart. In his opinion this increases
the steely spring of a split cane rod and
strengthens wood rods appreciably. He does
not state how wide these windings should be,
but it is asumed that they are narrow, say
seven threads in width, since wide omnes are
unsightly.
When your rod is ready to be wound,
your hands being perfectly clean, lay on your
work table a small spool of buttonhole silk,
the silk to be used in winding, a bit of wax, a
pair of small scissors, and a very sharp knife.
From the buttonhole silk cut a piece four inches
long, wax it, lay the ends together and draw it
through the fingers until it will lie straight with
the looped end ready for use. We will call it
the pull-through.
It is assumed that your silk is not waxed, and
that you take up the butt joint of your rod, the
first winding to be put on just above the metal
taper of the handgrasp. Lay the silk along the
rod, hold the end with the left thumb and be-
gin the first circlet toward the right, turning the
rod toward the left meanwhile. This will bind
157
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
the end of silk, as shown in Fig. 50. Turn the
rod slowly toward the left with the left hand,
holding the silk tight in the right hand, which
guides it. Draw the silk as tight as possible
during the first three turns, so that it will ad-
here to the rod.
If you wish to make ten or twelve circlets,
after the sixth one lay the pull-through (d Fig.
51) along the rod, loop toward the left, and
wind over it, as shown in Fig. 54; but if the
winding is to be a narrow one, the pull-through
should be inserted at the beginning. This step
is illustrated in Figs. 51 and 52. Count each
complete circlet, at least at first, in order that
all windings will be uniform. At the end hold
the wound silk under the left thumb, cut it with-
in an inch of the thumb, tuck the end (b Fig.
52) through the loop of the pull-through and
draw the latter under the winding, the end of
silk following as in Fig. 53.
When the pull-through is free, pull on the end
(b) of winding silk until it is tight, then shave
it off even with the winding and cut the
original end (a) even with the last circlet of silk.
(This is often cut after the fifth or sixth circlet)
158
eae
( As
'
AX
“aS
FIG. 50.
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
Fig. 55 illustrates the method employed in mak-
ing a narrow border of say, red, for a wide
band of say, green. The figure shows the wide
green band finished and the first stage in wind-
ing the border. In this case the original end of
silk (a Fig. 53) is not cut off until the border is
finished, as it helps to hold both bands together.
The pull-through is inserted at the beginning
of the border winding, and used in the same
manner as illustrated in Fig. 53.
This method of manipulating rod windings is
the simplest one of several for making so-called
endless windings. It is capable of numerous
variations, and it is not only easy to learn, but
insures satisfaction.
The secret of the method is to keep the pull-
through of buttonhole silk well waxed, and to
discard it for a new one whenever it shows
wear.
In all books on rodmaking more _ compli-
cated forms of winding are described and illus-
strated. The first step is alike in all of these,
but their authors describe the finishing step
in other ways. The most common form con-
sists in laying the winding silk along the
160
WINDING RODS
rod, so that long spirals can be passed over
the end of the rod and drawn taut, then the
silk is pulled under in the same way as de-
scribed by me, save that no separate pull-
FIG. 51. FIG. 52.
through is employed. If one is winding near
the middle of a long joint, this method is
tedious in the extreme, and the silk not only
snarls up, but becomes frayed. There is a way
to partially overcome this, which consists in
first winding backward in long spirals, passing
161
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
the end under these, winding tight, then pulling
the silk under; but it, too, is tedious.
Many years ago I discarded these methods
for the separate pull-through, and have used
it in all windings since then. It may be ancient,
but I have never seen it described in any work
on fishing tackle. It is, however, one of the
most useful of all wrinkles, and is particularly
handy in splicing silk lines. With this pull-
through fancy windings of only two or three
turns of silk can be so neatly made that only
after minute inspection can the blind ends of the
silk be seen. Indeed, I have had anglers assert
that such windings had been pasted down with
shellac, and only after inspecting them with a
magnifying glass were they convinced that the
silk ends were actually pulled under and cut off.
I have examined split bamboo tournament
rods in which the lower strips had given way
through hard usage, but the narrow bands of
silk had held so firmly that they were all
ruptured at the line of the break, the ends re-
maining unmoved. This also shows the strength
of silk windings, however narrow.
Different persons wind rods differently. My
162
WINDING RODS
way may not be the best one, but I will de-
scribe it. I begin with the butt joint and place
a rather wide band of say, green, with a narrow
D
FIG. 53. FIG. 54. FIG. 55.
red border next to the handgrasp taper, then a
similar band on each side of the ferrules and at
the top. After that I wind the guides with say,
green, with narrow red borders. This leaves
only red silk to finish, and enables you to
163
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
evenly divide the remaining spaces to be wound.
The space between the handgrasp and the first
guide is measured. Mark off every 1% inches
from the guide down, and if you like finish up
with eight or ten five-turn windings just ahead
of the first band at the taper, for ornaments.
Wind the red bands, then mark the spaces _be-
tween the two guides, or hand guide and
ferrule, wind there, and so on. So long as all
spacing is uniform, any necessary variations will
not be noticed, but as a general thing make the
spaces closer and closer toward the tip, and if
there is a separate tip, place its guides and wind-
ings so that it will match its fellow tip.
At first one is inclined to make his windings
wide, believing that they are handsome so; but
as they are not necessary, it is well to make
them all ten or twelve turns, with still narrower
ones next to the wide bands covering the guides,
and at the ends of the joints. Red being a last-
ing color, it is well to use it thoroughout, with
light or medium green for borders. All red
without ornaments requires much less work,
but is not so neat as if there is some relief.
If you object to colors, use cream or light
164
WINDING RODS
yellow silk, which will hardly show on bam-
boo or dagama. For bethabara red is stand-
ard. Green alone or as a predominating color
lacks taste, although it comes out well for nar-
row borders with red. At one time I happened
to see a spool of lilac silk while winding a rod,
and tried it. It looked so neat at first that I
used it throughout the rod, using apple green
for borders. The rod was a good one, but I
couldn’t stand those colors, and gave it away
to a fisherman in Canada. Somehow the colors
“got on his nerves,” too, and he in turn gave
the rod to an uncle whose vision was poor. I
trust the old gentleman does not consider it a
hoodoo rod, as his nephew and its maker did.
There is a sort of unwritten law among rod-
makers to use heavy winding silk on large rods,
and so on down to the finest silk for light fly-
rods. It is well to follow this rule as far as
may be possible. On tarpon, heavy salt water
and trolling rods, on salmon rods and on the
butt joints of heavy fly-rods size A is the proper
thing. It is the commercial size that can be ob-
tained anywhere. Size O is suitable for joints,
and size OO for tips of most rods, while for
165
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
four and five-ounce fly-rods OO is best. One
reason for this is that on tips the heavier silk
is likely to be cut through by the line as it
shoots through the guides in casting the fly,
whereas the finer silk windings may be un-
affected. On tournament fly-rods, when the
line is coiled on a platform that is covered with
grit, it is not unusual to see the windings of
tips cut through as if with a dull knife.
As stated in a previous chapter, smaller sizes
of silk than A are difficult to obtain of the retail
trade, but there is a way to so utilize A silk
that it will answer every requirement, with a
lasting supply always at hand in the nearest
dry goods store. This method follows:
Having selected the colors desired, wind the
guides and ferrules—if the latter are split or ser-
rated—with size A. If the ferrule and guide
windings are to have borders of another color,
leave these until the last thing. Take a spool
of A and cut off a piece a foot long and rub
this carefully with wax, which must be color-
less and free from foreign matter that will
darken the silk. Twist this piece of silk in the
opposite direction to that followed in its manu-
166
WINDING RODS
facture, so that the strands will separate, and
hold them apart until each one of the three can
be removed and laid aside. Now take up one
of the strands and wax it thoroughly. It will
remain a trifle kinky, but that will not matter.
After it is waxed, it will cease trying to snarl
up, as at first, and you will have a really strong
thread of silk floss much softer than the three-
ply strand from which it was taken. Try it on
the thin tip of a fly-rod, and you will notice
that in winding it will lie flat and spread out a
trifle, like a ribbon, while it will not look so
lumpy, even, as a thread of OO silk, and after
the rod has been varnished the windings will be
very neat and workmanlike.
It is obvious that this thread is not so strong
as three-ply, and it should be tested to deter-
mine how much strain it will bear without
breaking. It is stronger, however, than would
be supposed, and I have wound a fly-rod tip
with separated strands of O without breaking
more than three all told; so that the A strands
will give little trouble on this score if prop-
erly waxed. |
Of course, in employing this method, you
167
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
cannot work from the spool, but must cut off
suitable lengths and wax and separate the
strands before beginning to wind. This is more
tedious than employing silk direct from the
spool, but you have the advantage of prepar-
ing the material for several windings at one
time, and a little experimenting will determine
how much to cut for certain work. A strand
fifteen inches in length will make four or five
narrow windings for a fly-rod tip, but for the
joint and butt much longer strands will be
necessary.
Because of the flat, ribbon-like form of the
separated strands, fewer turns to each wind-
ing will be the rule than if OO were used;
but the silk is so thin when tightly wound
that no objections can be raised to its bulk.
Given a coat of shellac on the silk only, and
the entire rod then coated with the best light
coach varnish, put on while warm, the rod will
be a work of art, and a finger rubbed over its
length will barely feel the windings.
Finally, the thinner the silk employed in
windings, the less will they be cut and frayed by
the fly line. A great many of the enameled fly
168
WINDING RODS
lines break, or, rather, the enamel breaks in
places if much used, so that the line is not
smooth and wiry as when new, and such lines
wear the windings rapidly, particularly those in
which large sizes of silk are used. I have seen
new tournament fly-rods with every winding on
the tips cut entirely through after a few days’
use, necessitating considerable expense in re-
newing windings and varnish; but this is often
due to insufficient varnish in the first place, or
to coating the rod with shellac instead of good
varnish. It is much less trouble and cheaper to
shellac windings, rod and all at one time than
to shellac the windings, then varnish over all,
two coats; but it is not so satisfactory to the
owner of the rod.
169
CHAPTER XV
Varnishing Rods
WHEN your rod has been wound, it is well
to take up each joint, and while turning it rapid-
ly, pass it over an alcohol or gas flame to remove
all fuzzy ends of silk. Be careful that the flame
is not close enough to scorch the windings, how-
ever. If any ends of silk protrude, cut them off
short with a sharp knife. |
Now warm your grain alcohol shellac slight-
ly, so that it will flow well, and with the thin,
round artist’s brush previously referred to, coat
each silk winding evenly, being careful to keep
the shellac off the wood. As a rule one coat on
the windings will be sufficient, but if the silk
seems to be dry and dull after the first coat has
dried, go over it lightly a second time, and let
the rod dry for several hours. Because the shellac
170
VARNISHING RODS
seems to be dry and hard on the surface of the
windings after an hour, do not take it for
granted and go ahead with varnishing. Shellac
dries on the surface first, and if two coats of
shellac are put on windings, it is well to let them
dry for a couple of days before attempting to
varnish.
When you take it up again, go over the wood
with a piece of flannel or linen, rubbing lightly
but thoroughly to remove any wax, grease or
oil that may have accumulated there during the
winding. This is absolutely necessary to the at-
tainment of a nice finish, and after the shellac
on the windings is hard no harm can be done by
polishing the wood with a strip of soft cotton
or silk, boot-black fashion. To do this hold one
end of the joint against your chest and rest the
other end against. something firm, to prevent
turning. While it is not necessary, the shellac
can be warmed slightly over a flame at this stage
and the joint turned while a finger is passed
around each winding to smooth down any un-
even surfaces. After this do not touch the wood
or windings with your hands; pick it up by the
ferrules instead.
I7I
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
When you are ready to varnish, select a warm
day if possible, or at any rate one when the air
is not humid or moist. The rod should be
warmed in a room where the temperature is 75
degrees, and your can of extra light coach var-
nish should be left for ten minutes in a pot of
steaming hot water, to be sure that it will be
thin and all particles of gum contained in it will
be melted so that it will flow nicely and dry
rapidly. A warm rod and hot varnish will in-
sure a nice finish.
For your work it is assumed that you have
procured a flat brush of good quality, and that
you are ready to begin by holding one end of a
joint on a table and the other in your left hand.
With a modest quantity of varnish, pass the
brush from the top down for four inches, turn-
ing the joint slowly while the brush is held at
an angle of about 20 degrees to the rod. Work
very slowly, and in going over each winding see
that a bare spot is not left there, caused by the
brush skipping over the silk and missing the
wood just beyond. To prevent this it is some-
times advisable to pass the brush around the rod
at each winding first, then, when the varnish in
172
“AOILIVAd DNILSVO-LIVdA
VARNISHING RODS
it is nearly exhausted, go over that part length-
wise, to insure an even coating. At any rate,
great care must be exercised to prevent daubing
the varnish on in places and skipping others.
The first coat should be worked in, with no
attempt to flow the varnish on, and be careful
lest varnish accumulates around the guides, and
leaves them gummed up and unsightly. The
same care is necessary with reference to the fer-
rules. To avoid marring them, pass the brush
around the contiguous winding very slowly,
coating the silk but not encroaching on the metal.
When all the parts of the rod are varnished,
if they can be assembled and the rod suspended
in a fairly warm, dry room, free from dust, for
two or three days, all should be well. A brad
driven in a picture moulding is ideal, provided
the rod does not hang close to the wall, but the
center of a room is a better place, as some walls
are cold, even damp, and on the side of a rod
hanging close to such a wall the varnish may
crawl and spoil your work.
In spring or summer it is usually safe to var-
nish a rod in the morning and suspend it in a
window. The morning sun is not too warm, but
173
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
it is often too warm after 10 o’clock for the
best results. Plenty of fresh air is best, but a
windy place should be avoided, as dust is likely
to be flying there. Do not leave separate joints,
while they are drying, where careless persons
may accidentally knock them over or _ break
them, and see that they are kept indoors at
night. Do not touch the varnish with the hands.
Perhaps you will be satisfied with one coat of
varnish. If it is evenly applied it will be suff-
cient for split bamboo rods; but coach varnish
applied while warm is not very thick, and a
light second coat will keep out moisture. The
first coat should set in four hours and be hard
enough for a second coat in less than a week.
The second coat, however, should be given as
much time as possible to dry and harden before
the rod is used, depending on the temperature.
This coat can be deferred with safety until the
middle of the season or even until the fol-
lowing winter if the rod is not subjected to
hard usage; and if it is still in good condition,
the new varnish will make it like a new rod. For
hard use, however, two coats of varnish will not
be wasted, but three will not be needed.
174
VARNISHING RwDS
If spar varnish is to be used—and many salt
water anglers employ it—three coats, with sev-
eral days between, will be necessary.
Cord-wound hand-grasps should be given two
coats of shellac and one of coach varnish. More
will be likely to render the cord slippery. If the
grasp is sumac, omit the shellacand puton two
coats of coach, giving it ample time to dry.
175
CHAPTER XVI
Rod Cases and Forms
On the use to which you will put your rod de-
pends the kind of protective covering you will
need. There are anglers who will have nothing
but a thin muslin cover, but something better is
needed for rods that are to be carried far.
The makers of the best fly-rods supply bam-
boo tubes with screw caps for the tips, this tube
and the middle and butt joint going into a can-
vas case, so that the stiff tube protects the two
other parts when all are bound with the tie-tapes
of the cover. The wood form is the most com-
mon type, and these are cheap. Aluminum tubes
with screw caps are obtainable in the trade, cost-
ing $2 or $3, and suitable for either fly or bait
rods. Aluminum tubing of almost any desired
size is obtainable from the supply companies, at
176
‘ZS aNv OS ‘sold
RODMAKING FOR BEGINNERS
20 to 50 cents per foot, and fibre tubing of simi-
lar sizes can be had from some hardwaremen at
about the same prices. Both fibre and aluminum
tubes are made in sizes up to about two inches.
For long rods a tube of some sort is very handy.
It can be fitted with corks, or with a screw cap
on one end, and in such a case a rod is safe.
Tip cases are sometimes made to order by
houses that supply mailing tubes. The method
of winding the strips of strawboard spirally
makes these tubes tough and strong, and if the
walls are thick, the ends corked and the tube
supplied with a canvas case, the rod will be well
protected. I have seen these tubes as small as
one inch in diameter, for long tips. Sometimes
they are covered with leather. They are fre-
quently made thus for bait-casting rods which
have separate handgrasps, the grasps to be car-
ried in a pocket or tackle case.
A very good plan is to groove a piece of
white pine so that the tips of the rod will lie
below the surface, the grooves being enlarged to
let the guides go underneath, then inclose this
form in a canvas case with the butt and joint,
the whole rod being fairly well protected.
178
ROD CASES AND FORMS
Still another way is to employ a canvas case
of the form illustrated in Figs. 56 and 57. The
upper end is bound with braid or is hemmed,
the lower edge turned over and sewed to the
upper one, then three seams sewed lengthwise
and three tapes attached to the back. This
leaves pockets for the butt, the joint and the two
tips. One of the tip pockets is made large
enough to admit a piece of wood a half-inch
square and of the same length as the tips. Round
off its corners and it will not injure the tip.
When the rod is taken out of the case this piece
of wood will remain to protect the extra tip,
which might otherwise be broken.
179
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