THE ROD 35 



use the thumb and finger method of laying the line on 

 the spool. 



REEL SEAT AND OTHER MOUNTINGS 



The reel seat, butt cap, taper, and reel bands should 

 be of German silver as this material soon loses its 

 flashiness, which is a decided advantage, without look- 

 ing disreputable. Cheap rods are always nickel 

 mounted. 



With the reel seat there is included the reel bands 

 to keep the reel from falling off. With a fly rod simple 

 rings are adequate, but in bait casting the reel is 

 thumbed and there is danger of pushing the reel into 

 the water. We prefer the hood on the front of the 

 reel seat, so that the reel is seated from behind, which 

 prevents it being pushed off in thumbing. 



Since the finger hook has gone out of style many 

 reel locking devices have been brought out, but many 

 of them are failures. We rather like the finger hook. 

 It rests the hand and it is a sure guard against pushing 

 the reel off. Probably the best little "trick" is the 

 detachable finger hook. It can be carried in the tackle 

 box and the rod can be used alternately with and with- 

 out it which is the best way we know of preventing 

 "caster's cramp." Another device worthy of special 

 mention is the Huffman Attachment. This is a com- 

 bination finger hook, reel lock, and hand rest. 



