62 SALMON AND TROUT. 



The lightest reel in the world is probably that made entirely 

 of aluminium. An aluminium reel 2^ inches in diameter 

 weighs under 3 oz., but the price is alarming at least i/. 

 per oz. 



This, of course, is carrying things to an extreme ; but clearly 

 the question of weight in reels is of the utmost importance if 

 the rod is to be properly balanced which is only another word 

 for saying, c if the maximum and perfection of work are to be 

 got out of it.' There can be no question, however, that, 

 whether with the idea of ' balancing ' or otherwise, the weight 

 of reels ordinarily used, especially in salmon fishing, is much 

 overdone. The reel has always to be supported 'at arm's 

 length/ so to say, where every ounce tells its tale during a day's 

 fishing. Another vitally important point in a salmon reel for 

 genuine hard work is the winding-in leverage, as every salmon 

 fisher knows who has had the experience of ' reeling up ' or 

 trying to reel up half a dozen heavy fish in as many half 

 hours. Again, the ideal salmon reel must be strong enough 

 to run no risk from chance collisions with rocks or other 

 'jeopardy of war'; and, further, the check machinery should 

 be as simple as possible, and readily accessible in case of 

 accidents or for purposes of lubrication. A narrow barrel or 

 winder and (of course) a corresponding narrow groove are 

 desiderata which, happily, it is now hardly necessary to insist 

 upon. In salmon reels, however (though hardly in trout reels), 

 this last point may be overdone, having regard to the con- 

 venience of carrying line in the most compact form. 



As I could not find any salmon reel completely fulfilling 

 these several conditions, I set about constructing one, and in 

 doing so unhesitatingly pressed into my service the best points 

 I could find in any existing reels, well-known or otherwise. 

 The outcome is shown in the reel figured opposite, in which I 

 believe it will be seen that the desiderated requirements are 

 combined. 



The form of the side plates of my reel, with the ' rim ' in one 



