MUSKELLUNGE AND ARTIFICIAL LURES 



However, as emphasized a moment ago, the level- 

 winding attachment is a great aid, especially so since 

 it can be secured so arranged that it drops down out 

 of the way in casting, if the angler thinks the line- 

 guide a hindrance. It is unnecessary to add that the 

 reel for muskellunge fishing must be well made, of the 

 very best material, for it may be called upon to endure 

 such grief as falls to the lot of the salt-water winch 

 only. 



Once upon a time I wrote a certain rod manufacturer 

 — to be more specific I dare not for obvious reasons — 

 asking him to forward me a good, well-made quad- 

 ruple multiplying reel adapted to muskellunge angling. 

 In return I received a letter stating that a quadruple 

 was not adapted to the sport, and that he was sending 

 a double multiplier, 200 yards capacity, I have that 

 reel yet, a salt-water winch, and it will contain over 

 300 yards of 23-pound test line. But that took place 

 something like fifteen years or so ago, when I first 

 began a serious study of the pike family and pike 

 tackle. Undoubtedly that same manufacturer to-day 

 would recommend an eighty-yard quadruple reel. 

 The man who can not successfully fight a muskellunge 

 with an eighty-yard reel has something to learn and 

 something to experience. 



There is a great variety of artificial lures — "plugs" 

 — running the whole gamut of form and color, built 

 expressly for the muskellunge fisherman, and they are 

 good lures, every one. My only criticism of the modern 

 muskellunge lure is that it is far too heavy for easy 

 or expert handling. Looking over my large but, I pre- 

 sume, incomplete collection, I find many lures from 

 seven to ten inches long, measuring from tip to tip. 



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