78 CASTING TACKLE AND METHODS 



have in my possession the first reel ever purchased 

 by me, a cheap, department-store contraption, and 

 yet that reel could be used for angling to-day. The 

 secret of its durability is not to be found in its manu- 

 facture, the few cents I payed for it would disillusion 

 any one on that score, but in the loving care bestowed 

 upon it by its boy-owner. I have no interest in any 

 particular reel, though of course I have my favorites. 

 I am urging you to care for your reel simply that you 

 may get the maximum amount of service out of it. 

 Yet my advice is buy a good reel, yes, an expensive 

 reel, so that you will be ashamed not to care for it. 

 At first thought almost anyone knows enough to 

 take a reel to pieces without a word of advice, but 

 simply taking apart is not all there is to cleaning a 

 reel by any means. Never take down a reel simply 

 to "see how it is made." It does not pay to up-set 

 just for the sake of up-setting. The first step is to 

 secure a screw-driver that accurately fits the screw- 

 slots on the head of the reel. The handle of the 

 screw-driver should not be so small as to render little 

 purchase, nor yet should it be so large as to broom 

 the screws by giving too much purchase. Be careful, 

 for nothing is more unsightly than a reel with screw- 

 heads battered out of shape. Take out the screw 

 that holds the handle in position and remove the 

 latter, then take out the screws three or four 

 which hold the cap in place. If your reel is provided 

 with a drag, it should be slipped on before the cap is 



