364 The Trouts of America 



which is most durable when least complicated; 

 hence place no confidence in novel and intricate 

 reel devices until fully tried on an outing. The 

 eye may be pleased, and the judgment seduced 

 by an attractive, and apparently practical, " throw 

 off " ; a peculiar click device, a new thumb 

 button for a drag, or a non-revolving handle all 

 of which may be placed before you, if not recom- 

 mended, by the dealer. Hence, be careful in 

 your selection, and do not hesitate to ask your 

 older angling friends as to the qualities of a reel 

 that may have attracted your attention. See that 

 the spool of the reel which you select revolves 

 freely and smoothly, without jar or clatter ; that 

 the rivets and screws fit tightly; that the reel 

 plate lies snugly in the reel seat of your rod ; that 

 the cross-bars are securely riveted, or screwed, 

 and at proper distances apart; that the click 

 sounds full and clear, which is measurably an 

 indication that the mechanism is well put to- 

 gether and the material good. For either fly or 

 bait fishing for trout, the old-fashioned, simple 

 click-reel, holding thirty yards of line, is the 

 favorite among anglers, and I have never used 

 any other on a trout stream. However, the auto- 

 matic reel is much liked, and such old anglers as 



