|
EARLY American rods were " spliced" and many British rods are now made that way. That is, the end of the joints or pieces are fashioned to fit snugly together and the joining is done by lashing with a piece of thong, wire or adhesive tape. The British have some strange, and to us almost primitive, ideas on ferrules. The best makers have some locking device such as a hook on the male ferrule to engage with a corresponding projection on the female or when they do use a suction or friction ferrule they add a dowel or pin which American rod makers discarded several generations ago.
The best American ferrules are serrated or split. The serrated ferrule is crown-shaped so that each point rests on the flat face or angle of a bamboo rod. Theoretically, at least, this makes the change between resilient wood and unyielding metal less abrupt and eases the strain at the joints — the vulnerable part of a rod. The split ferrule works on the same principle.
Good American ferrules are made of German silver, tempered and retempered until they have almost the hardness of steel. They are shouldered to avoid unnecessary cutting away of wood and the female ferrule
is reenforced with a welt at the open end and is waterproofed by a partition or floor at its base to prevent water getting at the wood. In short, the better class of American ferrule is a decided success.
Related terms include flyfishing com and fly fishing in montana.
|