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Show Bamboo Tops We think it a distinct compliment to the manufacturers of bamboo fly rods that the bamboo is still tops in the fly rod field, as attested by every manufacturer of glass and steel rods declaring that their product "has the feel of the best bamboo." That is manufacturing license, li-cense, sort of like "editorial license" In that statements may be made in generalization, rather rath-er than specifically. And so it is with rods nothing but bamboo, naturally, can have the "feel of bamboo," and what the makers of glass and steel rods mean, of course, is that their products "approximate "ap-proximate the feel," of the best bamboo. This superiority of the bamboo fly rod over other type rods in the matter mat-ter of lightness, resiliency, "alive-ness," "alive-ness," and the supreme delight they accord the angler isn't an accident; and the fact that bamboo continues its superiority isn't an accident, either. Instead, it is due to the fact that real rod-makers spare no effort, ef-fort, no research, no testing techniques tech-niques to keep bamboo in the enviable en-viable position it holds in the hearts Df fly-rod and plug-casting anglers. This is epitomized by manufacturers manufactur-ers like the Phillipson rod company. Way up in the mile-high atmospnere Df Denver, the Phillipson people developed for the first time a guaranteed, guar-anteed, waterproof, never-leak glue ioint. The little illustration accompanying accom-panying this article is of a Phillipson Phillip-son joint which has been submerged In water for more than two years, with its bamboo sections still as strong as a weld. In doing this article on bamboo rods, which follows treatment here previously of steel and glass rods, we contacted John A. Eble, sales manager of the Phillipson people to ask "how come" on this waterproof, oever-break glue joints. He replied that this process, exclusive ex-clusive with Phillipson, is one that "joins the six bamboo strips together to-gether in an ever-lasting bond that never comes apart, no matter how hard the service or how wet and iisagreeable the weather." To the angler who has never seen a fly rod come apart in his hands after being subjected to hours oi soaking in a driving rain, or after having been left out overnight in the rain, Eble's statement really mean; something. Too, the bamboo-rod maker, with his own special techniques has the advantage of being able to build Into his bamboo rods amazing strength without appreciable additional addi-tional weight. This, to the fly rod addict who appreciates light tackle, Is like manna from heaven. "Through trial and error, testing, testing and testing, experimenting here and there, Eble says, we have been able to build into our rods a smooth, sensitive action, combined with backbone, vitality and terrific powe. per ounce of weight." And that's decidedly what the fly rod angler wants and, to paraphrase para-phrase a famous automobile slogan: "When better fly rods are made, bamboo rod makers will make them." AAA Always Learning One of the most fascinating things about fishing is that despite the ego a successful angler may build up over the years, despite whatever success he may have enjoyed on lake or stream, there is never any )ne moment during his pursuit of the fir.ny denizens that he can pause and declare that he "knows it all," that, at last, fishing has been brought to an exact science. And it is that factor that keeps the intelligent angler always on the alert for a new angle, a new technique tech-nique that may catch fish today, even if it does prove ineffective tomorrow. to-morrow. All this is by way of being a preface pref-ace to this suggestion: Try the creeks and smaller streams around your locality for white bass sometimes. Ybu may be surprised at the result. We did and it was then that the truism contained con-tained in the first paragraph of this article came forcibly to light. For instance we knew that the white bass are found in lakes and, frequently fre-quently in rivers, but we didn't know they came into small creeks. Well, they did here in Kentucky this fall and nearly everyone who tried caught plenty of them. AAA Sometimes Pays This will come as no new word to those who keep abreast of outdoor out-door publications, but it is well to issue the reminder, we think, for what value it may have in filling one's creel. The reminder is: Be sure you're not overlooking some good fishing by staying away from some nearby stream or pond that everyone says is "all fished out." Instances where diligent anglers have proved the fallacy of such claims are too many to report |