Streater's Thought of the Week

Every weekend Dick Streater gives us his thought of the week, culled from his voluminous files on fishing and tackle history.

Streater's Thought of the Week: The Henshall Minnow Bait Rod was 8' 3" and weighed 8 ounced with a solid metal reel seat, and 7 1/2 ounces with a reel holding slider bands, which was the way he preferred it. With a single action reel, a minnow could be cast about 20 to 35 yards. With "wind to your back" it was claimed you could cast 50 yards. The standard rod of this type was a three piece affair, the butt made of white ash, and the other two joints of lancewood, greenheart, or betharaba.

-- Dr. Todd