CHAPTER X.

FISHING-REELS.

And to that end, some use a wheel about the middle of the rod, or near their hand; which is to be observed better by seeing one of them, than by a large demonstration of words."-IZAAK WALTON.

A FISHING-REEL is made in accordance with the special service required of it, the objects of said service being twofold. The first and most important is the proper delivery of the bait in a manner and at a distance commensurate with the mode of fishing; and the second is to play and land the fish after he is hooked, or to reel the line for another cast. The reel which practically fulfills these conditions with the greatest ease and facility—in the method of fishing practiced-is the best reel to use.

The two modes of angling in which the reel is employed are bait-fishing and fly-fishing, and as the two methods differ so essentially, they require reels of widely different functions. Thus in bait-fishing the multiplying reel is used, while in fly-fishing the click-reel is indispensable.

The multiplying reel must be very rapid in its action so as to deliver the bait as far as possible at a single cast, the thumb, meanwhile, controlling the rapid rendering of the line, so as to prevent back-lashing of the spool; but in fly-fishing the line is lengthened gradually, a few feet

being taken from the reel by the hand before each subsequent cast, while the click offers the necessary resistance to the rendering of the line to permit this to be done without overrunning.

As the multiplying reel is made wide, so as to allow for the thumbing of the spool, and as this necessity is not required in the click-reel, the latter is made quite narrow, thus permitting the line to be reeled without bunching, and, at the same time, allow of its being reeled rapidly enough for all practical purposes, without a multiplying action; for the main object of a multiplying-reel, is for rapidity of action in casting, and not in retrieving the line, as is often erroneously supposed.×

After a fish is hooked, a click-reel answers the purpose of playing, and landing it, as well as the best triple or quadruple multiplier made-if not better; for often a fish is reeled in by main strength with a rapid multiplier, and an attempt made to land it before it has been killed on the rod, thus curtailing the real sport of angling, and at a great risk to the angler's tackle. I speak of this now, for I have heard anglers praising a rapid-working quadruple multiplying-reel, because they could reel in a fish "so fast," basing all of its merits upon this one quality; the desire to get possession of the fish seeming to be paramount to the real sport of hooking and playing it.

THE CLICK-REEL.

The click-reel is a single-action reel, and, consequently, is the simplest form of reel, from the fact that the service required of it is simply a slow and gradual lengthening of the line with each subsequent cast; the delivery of the fly + How does the the multifilier ine The infudity of action on live rug?

being accomplished by pulling off from the reel a few additional feet of the line after each cast, until the desired or maximum distance is reached, while the click offers just enough resistance to the rendering of the line to allow this to be done without confusion or overrunning. The handle, or crank, is connected directly with the axle, or shaft, and, consequently, "reeling in" the line would be slow work were it not obviated by the reel being made very narrow, so that the coil of line upon the shaft enlarges rapidly, and the reeling is thus accomplished with greater facility.

The click-reel is placed at the extreme butt of the flyrod, below the hand-grip, where it adds much to the balance and general working of the rod. As the click regulates the rendering of the line, and as the narrowness of the reel obviates the necessity for guiding the line in reeling, it is placed out of the way, at the extreme butt, and "where it will do the most good." A reel should always be placed underneath the rod, and not on top, as is often done.

Click-reels are all constructed upon the same general principle, but are of various patterns and composed of various materials, being made of hard rubber, celluloid, brass, bronze, and German silver; their weight depends on the material used, and the angler has a large assortment of styles and prices to select from. Any good Trout clickreel is suitable for Black Bass fly-fishing, and can be furnished by any of the first-class dealers.

In the choice of a click-reel, the angler should select the lightest, when it is compatible with strength, and one in which there is the least probability of fouling the line on any prominent points, as projecting screws and caps,

unprotected handles, etc. Metal reels are the strongest, and not so liable to injury as rubber or celluloid, in case of accidentally dropping, or striking them against rocks, etc.; though the latter are much lighter, and with ordinary care are just as serviceable.

There has been a very marked improvement in clickreels during the past few years, the manufacturers seeming to vie with each other to produce the lightest, neatest, comeliest, and most serviceable reel.

Abbey & Imbrie make a superb reel, the "Abbey," composed of hard rubber, with German silver spool, rim and fittings; it is extremely light and has a protected handle to prevent fouling of the line in casting, and is first-class in every respect. Nos. 3 and 4, the latter being. the smaller, are the proper sizes. The "Imbrie" reel, also made by this firm, although a multiplier-and a most excellent one, by the way-has an adjustable click which allows of its being used also for fly-fishing. And the angler who is the fortunate possessor of one of these reels, Nos. 4 or 5, can use it in Black Bass fishing for either his minnow-rod or fly-rod.

Mr. C. F. Orvis, of Manchester, Vermont, has patented, and manufactures, a simple, durable, and inexpensive click-reel. It is very narrow, consequently takes up line quite rapidly, while the frame and disks of the spool are freely perforated, which renders it quite light, and assists very much in drying the line, and in keeping it free from sand and grit. Its low price, brings a good reel within the reach of the most impecunious angler.

Wm. Mills & Son's (7 Warren Street, New York) reels are unexcelled, either brass, German silver or rubber; they are fitted with protecting bands to prevent the line from