60 FISHING KITS AND EQUIPMENT 



It is the protecting band which makes the single-action 

 reel practically free from line- fouling the important 

 thing. If the protecting band has sufficient projection 

 it makes little difference whether the reel handle is 

 " balanced " or not ; that is, whether the handle is full- 

 sized, extending quite across the side plate and with 

 a weight or balance at the extremity, the most common 

 American construction, or simply a short crank with- 

 out extension or balance. Personally, I think the bal- 

 ance handle gives the reel a more finished appearance 

 and a slightly better action. Another form of single- 

 action reel construction, known as the English style, 

 does away with both protecting band and reel handle 

 proper. In this form of reel a disk revolving within 

 the side plate is attached directly to the reel shaft, and 

 the reel handle is simply a small knob, preferably 

 slightly tapered outward, fixed to the disk. In a good 

 many ways this is the best sort of reel for fly-fishing. 



As regards materials, reels may be had of nickeled 

 brass, German silver, hard rubber, hard rubber and 

 nickel in combination, hard rubber and 

 German silver, and, also, of aluminum. 

 Choose either a reel of entire German silver or one of 

 hard rubber with protecting band, spool and handle 

 of German silver. Nickeled reels do not give con- 

 tinued satisfaction, since the plating wears off and the 

 reel takes on a generally tough appearance. Reels of 

 hard rubber only, with no metal bands about the side 

 plates, are very light and good reels, but they are cer- 



