60 PRACTICAL BAIT CASTING 



a crank instead of a balanced handle, it did not differ 

 so very much from the modern article. The owner's 

 grandfather and father had used it before him, and he 

 told us that his son was then learning to cast. In fact, 

 from what he said, we gathered that he was quite 

 proficient in casting hints for that particular reel, 

 which, by the way, should be retired "for distinguished 

 services." 



BLUEGRASS KENTUCKY REEL 



As we held this four-generation reel in our hands, 

 it brought visions of the days in which it was made 

 of prairie schooners and red-shirted miners. Just 

 think of all the valiant bass, pickerel, pike, and even 

 "muskies" (they were plentiful in the Ohio and its 

 tributaries years ago) that this forty-niner has pro- 

 spected for and found! 



SIZES AND STYLES 



In speaking of the sizes of reels, we usually say 80 

 yard, 100 yard, etc., but this is somewhat misleading 

 as there is no particular size of line used as a standard. 

 The measurements of the spool and pillars also vary 



