THE REEL 61 



in different makes, so that these must be specified if 

 you have your heart set on a certain size. Generally 

 an 80 yard reel of good proportions has a spool dia- 

 meter of about iy 2 inches, and pillars i^ inches in 

 length. Most experienced casters prefer the "long- 

 spool" models, rather than the narrower, high end- 

 plate type, as they permit easier spooling of the line 

 and they are easier to thumb, the decrease in the size 

 of the spooled line being more gradual. 



For practical fishing purposes, the 80 and 100 yard 

 sizes are generally used as they may also be utilized for 

 trolling. A reel to balance a very light rod can be 

 of the 60 yard size, as this size takes a 50 yard spool 

 of line with plenty of allowance for swelling and does 

 away with the necessity of fillers and arbors. 



In casting the full capacity of the reel is seldom 

 used, so it is customary to use a filler of old line or 

 cheap linen line on the reel and to this tie on 50 yards 

 or so of the casting line. This system not only econ- 

 omizes on line, but it fills up the spool so it is easier 

 to thumb and increases the weight of the spool so that 

 it casts easier. Also it keeps the line farther from the 

 axis of the reel, which prevents any tendency of the 

 line to foul on rod or guides. 



The only objection to using a filler is the nuisance 

 of drying it. It is bad enough, all casters agree, to 

 have to dry the fishing line, much less bothering with 

 from 20 to 50 yards of "padding." One remedy is 

 to use an arbor, or drum of cork. By paying $1.00 

 extra, the reel-makers will furnish a cork arbor on their 



