PRELIMINARIES. 7 



modern improvement. As to price, there is almost 

 as much variation in reels as in rods. I have two 

 4in. reels of the kind described before me ; one of 

 them has an aluminium inner side to its drum, and it 

 cost about twice as much as the other, which is of 

 plain wood with brass fittings. For efficiency there 

 is nothing to choose between them, and both have 

 seen several seasons of hard work. Half-a-guinea 

 is rather more than I gave for the cheaper one, 

 and that sum ought to get the novice a reel of 

 equal or greater merit. 



The third requirement is the line to be put on 

 the reel. In this matter, too, there is ample scope 

 for choice (and for confusion) ; but, on the whole, 

 it is best for the novice to aim at simplicity. This 

 I think, he is most likely to achieve with a fine 

 waterproofed or "dressed" silk line, of the size 

 marked F or G in the tackle catalogues. Fifty yards 

 of such a line need not cost more than about 55., 

 but the best quality would be about twice as much. 

 In selecting it attention should be paid to its appear- 

 ance and texture ; green is a good colour, though 

 colour does not very much matter, and the texture 

 should be smooth, solid, and pliant ; a sticky line is 

 usually an ill-dressed one, and a line that is too stiff 

 and hard is one which has been dried too quickly ; 

 both kinds should be avoided. The tackle-maker 



