THE REEL, OR WINCH. 47 



machinery intended to assist the winding up, can bene- 

 ficially be dispensed with. The simpler, in fact, in these 

 respects, the reel is, the better ; it not only lets off the 

 line more readily, but is less liable to become deranged 

 in its action. That the line may be and often is thrown 

 off too easily, I make no question, but this is the 

 fault of the angler, who ought with his hand to 

 restrain and regulate its measure, according to the 

 power and caprices of the fish he is playing. As to the 

 reel itself, the more smoothly and swimmingly it parts 

 with the line the better, for whatever advantages the 

 multiplier and rack-wheel may be esteemed to possess, 

 these, without question, are counterbalanced by the 

 liability such adaptations incur to become disturbed in 

 their action and rendered completely at fault, during 

 moments of need and extremity. 



Among other improvements recently made upon the 

 reel or winch, are those which relate to the handle. 

 This is now constructed so as to fold over or be readily 

 detached, according to the pleasure of the angler, and 

 thus facilitate the carrying or packing up of the machine. 

 Checks, also, have of late years been introduced, and 

 the mode of affixing the reel to the rod altered and 

 improved. 



THE ROD. Caprice and custom regulate largely the 

 fancy of individuals in respect to this implement. One 

 holds stiffness as a requisite, another pliancy; one pre- 

 fers the single-handed, another the double-handed rod ; 

 some use a butt piece of hiccory, some of ash, and 

 others of fir-wood ; this angler, again, in the matter of 

 the top-piece, esteems lance, that bamboo ; and, as to 

 the ferrule, I meet with one who commends the plain 

 joint and socket, another who countenances the Scot- 

 tish screw, and a third who disclaims the use of brass 



