80 THE REEL. 



We shall now treat of the reel, which is called 

 also the winch, and, in Scotland, the pirn. 

 Great are the improvements which have lately 

 been introduced in the manufacture of this im- 

 portant article of the angler's equipment. The 

 chief of them js the alteration of the shape of the 

 frame, by contracting its width, from the old 

 standard, and proportionally swelling its diameter 

 retaining, of course, the common or simple 

 movement. This alteration of shape adds so 

 materially to the speed with which it enables the 

 line to be wound in, that the absence of multiply- 

 ing wheels, on the old plan (taking their numerous 

 defects into account), is more than compensated 

 for. These wheels, from their intricacy, and 

 consequent liability to derangement, were the 

 constant source of annoyance to all who used 

 them. But the multiplier (as this kind of reel is 

 called) is now so entirely superseded by the 

 simple reel of the contracted form, that further 

 remarks upon it are unnecessary. The angler 

 should be careful to select a light and nicely 

 made reel, on the contracted plan, and as a guide 

 to its proportions he may remember that the size 

 to contain thirty yards of line is about half an 

 inch wide by three inches in diameter. Its con- 

 struction should be of the simplest character 



