70 CASTING TACKLE AND METHODS 



them the tension is increased with each, at the 

 seventh the click is thrown off, the spool becomes 

 free once more; remove the two thumb-screws at 

 either end, which takes the place of oil-caps, and the 

 reel falls apart. I do not know that I have enume- 

 rated all the special features possessed by this winch, 

 but surely I have mentioned enough to convince you 

 that the "Thumezy" is "different" alright; however, 

 it should not be called a "freak" for it is a practical 

 reel. 



The "Stockford" is not a radical innovation and 

 in nowise a freak though it appears odd. The gear 

 is enclosed in a small gear-box attached to the outside 

 of the head-plate, small, inconspicuous and light. 

 The striking original feature is the lack of pillars; 

 the ordinary reel has three above the reel-plate, the 

 "Stockford" has but one, and that low down in the 

 rear. The spool being open, in case of even a 

 superlatively bad back-lash, it would not be neces- 

 sary to take the reel apart, the operator can get at 

 the line with ease. Do not imagine that because of 

 few pillars the frame is weak and wobbly; it is 

 unusually firm and rigid. By the way, the open 

 frame and gear box is used to some extent by other 

 makers ; the former is a great convenience, while the 

 latter reduces the weight of the reel. 



To continue discussing the various patterns which 

 from time to time have come from original makers, 

 would be a pleasure, but we have 'mentioned a suf- 



