72 AMERICAN ANGLER'S BOOK. 



where the angler fishes from a boat, and large trout endanger 

 his tackle, such a necessity sometimes arises. 



Whether it be a multiplier or simple reel, in fly-fishing for 

 Trout, it should be small ; for a greater length than twenty 

 yards of line is seldom if ever required. 



By the aid of the balance-handle (an American inven- 

 tion which helps to keep up the momentum when the bait 

 is cast), reels have been made to run with so little friction, 

 that the motion imparted by a whirl of the crank, with the 

 hand, causes the spool to revolve for two minutes. The 

 bearings of the more costly reels are made of jewels. I know 

 of one made by an amateur mechanic, without the jewels, 

 which will run for a minute and a half. Eeels of this kind 

 are used mostly by Bass-fishers, who make long casts, when 

 it is desirable that the line should run out as freely as 

 possible. 



In all reels a short axle is to be preferred, as it enables one 

 to wind up the line quicker and more compactly on the 

 spool. 



A well-made reel does not jar or clatter, but while the 

 journals fit nicely, they run easily in their bearings, and the 

 inner plates of the spool revolve without friction in the outer. 



Rods. — Although rods are still imported from England, 

 and those made by her celebrated tackle- makers are thought 

 by many to possess some qualities not found in American 

 rods, the latter as a general rule are equal to the English, 

 and in many respects better adapted to the requirements of 

 our anglers ; the metallic tip and guides being preferred by 

 all (in any but fly-rods) to the English mode of having rings 

 for the line to pass through, and the usual wire loop at the 

 tip. In bass, pike, and trolling rods, they are now con- 

 sidered indispensable, as the line passes through with less 

 friction, and in casting, the line is less apt to get foul. 



