The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1917-07-30
STEEL BAIT-CASTlNG RODS.

Well, old scout, we now come to that |.
part of the tackle outfit that has /
caused more argument than the EU- /
ropean war, by which we refer to the
steel rod VS.. the split bamboo. There |
are lot of anglers that swear by |
the split-bambo0 rod and look with |
horror on the steel rod. These split |
bamboo puristS are considerably in |
the minority. however, as can be cas-
lily proved by straw vote of the rods
in use at any camp or resort in the
game-fishing country. Personally, old
man, when it comes to downright class
to rod, YOU certainly must place
the blue ribbon on the Split-bamboo. Il
is first choice of materials, being light,
springy and considerably active, but
IN the hands of a beginner it sure
stands a mighty fine chance of break.
ing if he hooks onto a real live wire
of the weedy waters.
Steel a Sturdy Worker.
The steel rod naturally is q little
heavier than the split-bamboo, al
though the slight difference in weight
is not enough to put your casting arm
in q sling after days casting. 1t has
plenty Of backbone; at the same time
has enough action to make it a fine
caster without the whippiness Of the
Split-bamboo. For tossing out the
| heavier artificial lures it is in a class
| by itself. It is q sturdy strong rod
| that can be depended on to pump"
| . fighting bass out of the weeds with
| out giving you heart failure over Won
derinG whether it viii hold or not. BY
/ this, old man, do not take it that it IS
only a good rod for rough work, han
died with the skill of an expert it
makes as fine a fishing tool as any rod
| 1t may not be as speedy in action as
| the split-bamhoo, but as a buying
| proposition for the beginner, dollar
for dollar, you will get better rod
in steel in the loWer-priced rods than
you Will in either the bamboo or
solid woods.
The steel rod does not require much
care, being a husky tool, about all that
IS necessary to keep it In first-class
shape is to wipe it dry after using, and
oil occasionally in order to avoid rust
It is always ready for use and YOU
never have to bother with frayed wind
ings, cracked varaish or warped joints.
You viii never make q mistake if you
include steel rod in your kit, in fact
& yOu are going into the woods far
from Your tackle supply as safety
80 ut CT bpf Tho n
eral construction of the steel rod is
three-piece with short handle, and the
fact that the ferrules, which are mere
" band Of bronze, are built right into
the rod, oyercomcs the weakness of the
thgce-piece split-bamboo. 1t is the
most satisfactory rod Of the three piece
construction. There is one little ole
veteran steel rod up in the Nortl
woods which started its bait-castinG
life as a fivc-footer some six years
ago. A number of breaks and acci
dents have reduced it to a tritle below
four feet. The guides have been re
soldered 4 number of times, the ename
has passed away, yet this old pal Of ;
rod made q 81 ta-pound musSy come III
to the gaff, without 4 CULVER in its shor
length, and at that its still good TO
many a cast. Wonderful strides hav
been made in the stccl-rod end of til
game, and it's here to stay, as show
by its popularity on the fishing water
anywhere, and If YOU get good on
YOU can feel sure that it will be ther
with the goods when you hook you
big one, excellent for learning TIL
game and, in fact, a fine rod for an
time.
LIZ