148 Fly-rods and Fly-tackle. 



ten parts of aluminum some authorities assert to be the 

 most rigid metal known. It is of a red-gold color, tar- 

 nishes with reluctance, is somewhat lighter than brass 

 or german-silver, and will solder. For reels and rod- 

 trimmings, now that it should be cheaper than german- 

 silver, it seems well worthy serious consideration. 



All are agreed that the reel for a single-handed fly-rod 

 should be located below the hand, but there is some dif- 

 ference of opinion as to whether it should be at the ex- 

 treme butt or farther up. If at the extreme butt, it is 

 claimed to counterbalance the longer portion of the rod 

 more efficiently, and for this reason it is generally there 

 placed. For small fish this unquestionably answers well. 

 But no man can stand the continued strain of playing a 

 large fish at arm's-length. The butt is then supported 

 against the body, and if the reel is located too low down, 

 a blow in the stomach is received from the hand at every 

 revolution of the reel-handle. For this reason it is my 

 practice to secure the reel by inserting one end of the 

 reel-plate under a band just below the hand, instead of 

 below the butt-cap itself, fastening the other end by a 

 sliding band in the usual manner. I then reduce the 

 length of that part of the handle appropriated to the 

 reel as much as possible, and yet retain sufficient length 

 to insure convenient manipulation of the reel when the 

 butt is supported against the body. 



For the benefit of such as make their own reels, I give 

 the following method of tempering the spring, taught 

 me by one of the best tool-makers in this country. With 

 nothing beyond the same verbal instructions here given 

 to guide me, I have never failed to produce a spring of 

 apparently perfect temper. 



Having turned and filed my spring out of a plate of 



