40 CASTING TACKLE AND METHODS 



pinion at the end of the spool-shaft, so that one rev- 

 olution of the crank produces two, three, four or six 

 revolutions of the spool, depending upon the num- 

 ber of teeth in the wheels. The gearing is placed* 

 within the two plates forming the head of the reel, 

 while the click and drag are usually attached to the 

 inner surface of the tail-plate. That click and drag 

 should be adjustable, goes without saying. It seems 

 almost superfluous to make such a statement, yet I 

 have seen anglers attempting to cast while the click 

 screamed in agony, a sure way to ruin even the best 

 reel. In playing a fish, slip on the click if you so de- 

 sire, though personally I seldom use it even then. 

 In trolling you will probably need both click and 

 drag to prevent the reel from releasing line. The 

 click consists of a bit of U-shaped watch spring en- 

 gaging with a pinion on the rear spindle. 



Various materials are used in the manufacture of 

 reels, nickel, hard rubber, German silver, alumi- 

 num, etc., though probably the best all 'round mate- 

 rial is German silver. I make no mention of brass; 

 by no means invest in a brass reel, whatever the 

 price it will not be worth it. Nickel is good but 

 not sufficiently durable, soon tarnishes and becomes 

 unsightly. Hard rubber alone for head and tail 

 plates is too fragile, in combination with German 

 silver makes a beautiful winch, but requires careful 

 handling. Aluminum, so far as I have experimented 

 with it, is too soft, bends easily and mars in service. 



