THE CASTING REEL 57 



thrust is supported by jeweled end-caps of special 

 pattern. 



However, it is as a self-thumber that we are par- 

 ticularly interested in the winch. Let me quote from 

 one of the firm's trade circulars: "It is just like any 

 other finely made reel, being the product of the 

 highest efficiency in the mechanical jeweler's art. 

 The tiny, almost unnoticeable stiffened wire which 

 thumbs the reel automatically is contained within the 

 reel. This hidden mechanism is itself controlled by 

 a knurled adjusting screw-cap. The breaking effect 

 is adjustable in a moment, entirely without the use 

 of tools, to suit any weight of bait." 



The thumbing devise is the acme of simplicity. 

 In assembling the tackle for fishing, the reel is 

 threaded as per accompanying instructions, the line 

 passed out through the guides, lure attached, and 

 tension-screw adjusted so that a jar will tease line 

 from the spool. It will readily be seen that different 

 sized lures can be employed with equal facility, all 

 that is required is to adjust the tension-screw to dif- 

 ferent weights. At the beginning of the cast, the 

 wire bail under which the line passes, is lifted, thus 

 relieving the pressure of the "human wire," as some 

 one has called it, upon the head of the spool, the 

 thumber. As the lure slows up, the wire bail falls, 

 exerting the requisite pressure upon the spool; not 

 too much, so that the spool is stopped, not too little 

 so that an over-run results. A great respect will 



