so 



Some reels have sliding stops, which, if it were pos- 

 sible always to keep in their proper places, would be less 

 exceptionable : such, however, is seldom the case ; and,, 

 for my own part, I have always found it less inconvenient 

 to have a reel without any stop, than to recur to that sup- 

 posed convenience on every occasion. When I had reels 

 with stops, I lost many fishes that could not have got away 

 otherwise. 



The multiplying reel is of particular advantage in some- 

 situations ; for when, as often occurs, a large fish, that 

 has ran out a great length of line, suddenly darts towards, 

 the angler, or towards some point teeming with embar- 

 rassments, it is an object to shorten tiie line with all pos- 

 sible celerity, so as to keep the fish under controul. 



A slack line, exclusive of its subjecting the hook to re- 

 linquish its hold, like a slack rein in riding, rarely faHs to 

 produce inconvenience j nay, it is well known to all ex- 

 perienced anglers, that nothing is more dangerous than 

 to give up that absolute command, which causes a due 

 exertion on the part of the fish, and urges him to those 

 struggles which terminate in his complete submission. 



On ordinary occasions, a common reel is adequate to 

 every intention : it should be of a middling size, and should 

 carry about 3O or 35 yards of line, capable of suspending 

 a weight of 12 or 14 pounds. When we exceed such a 

 size of reel, and such a thickness of line, we begin to feel their 

 weight, which then becomes more tiresome than useful. 

 The reel should be put on so as to be under the rod, 

 with the winch, or handle, on the right side, as it pre- 

 sents itself fairly to the hand in that position. 



All who carry the reel above the rod, have to bear up in 

 perpetual opposition to the effect of its weight, it acting as a 



lever > 



