70 



grasped in the right hand, an inch or two 

 above the reel towards the top. This is the 

 mode generally adopted by the anglers of the 

 midland counties. 



Colonel Hawker is the only authority 

 we mean to quote on the subject of placing on 

 reels. He says, "Put on your reel with a 

 plate and wax-end, fifteen inches from the 

 bottom ; and handle your rod close below it, 

 keeping the reel uppermost, as the line then 

 lies on, instead of under, your rod, and is, 

 therefore, less likely to strain the top between 

 the rings. The closer the rings are put toge- 

 ther on the top, the less chance, of course, you 

 have of straining or breaking it between them. 

 Use a multiplying click-reel, without a stop; 

 and, by not confining it with the hand while 

 throwing, you are sure never to break your rod 

 or line, by happening to raise it suddenly, at 

 the moment you have hooked a large fish or 

 weed. Let your reel be full large in propor- 

 tion to the quantity of line; or it will not 

 always go pleasantly with it in winding up." 



Landing-net : Many a fish is lost, and 

 much trouble and anxiety incurred, in conse- 

 quence of the fly-fisher contemning the use 

 of the landing-net. Whether he be alone or 

 accompanied, such an implement is necessary, 



