DRY FLY TACKLE AND EQUIPMENT. 9 



inches in diameter, and will carry forty yards of tapered line, with some 

 backing, if thought necessary or desirable. 



Avoid for choice patent aluminium American reels. I have one by 

 me whilst writing. The check action is outside, and can be taken off at 

 pleasure and the line allowed to run freely without hindrance. The 

 perforated face of the drum which carries the handle is counter-balanced, 

 so that it may be used as a Nottingham reel. But the main advantage 

 claimed is that the rim, within which the drum revolves freely, is springy, 

 and by pressing the thumb upon it the drum is at once arrested and its 

 revolution stopped. Of course, by this means your line can be absolutely 

 stopped at any moment should a fish make a determined rush into 

 any obstacle, but at the expense of your fly and cast. I am told that 

 experts with this reel cast with a free line, arresting the fly at the 

 precise moment required by the thumb pressure, and thereby assisting 

 themselves in judging the length of the cast, and that the check is 

 never clicked into action until the fish is hooked. I have often tried 

 it, and found that the inadvertent pressure of the thumb or wrist upon 

 the rim has cost me several good fish. In fixing your reel, I would 

 counsel its being so placed that the handle is on the left side of the 

 rod. In playing the fish it will be necessary, therefore, to reverse 

 your rod ; the line will then run near the rod and avoid the friction 

 against the rings, and the strain will be taken off your rod, or, rather, 

 applied in a contrary direction to that which it so constantly receives 

 when casting. 



The line should be tapered, and should be of oil-dressed silk, such as 

 is now supplied by all good tackle makers. The taper should be five or 

 six yards in length, and when in use, in order to obviate the constant 

 shortening process it receives from attaching it to your cast, I invariably 

 whip a length of stoutish grilse gut to its end, to which I attach my cast. 

 This upper length can always be renewed at pleasure. This plan I find 

 better than a loop. The weight of the line is a most important point ; it 

 should be as heavy in its centre part beyond the taper as will bring out 

 the best casting powers of your rod. The balance of the line to the rod is 

 all important ; a little trouble in selecting a suitable line will be amply 

 repaid. Do not forget, after using it, to draw off many coils of line to dry 

 before finally putting your reel away, and, as it is important that your 



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