On the Invention of the Reel. 603 



ON THE INVENTION OF THE REEL. 



By Alfred If, Maykr. 



The first mention of the reel I have been able to find is the 

 following passage taken from Barker's "Art of Angling," London, 

 1651. 



" Within two foot of the bottom of the rod there was a hole made for to put in 

 a wind, to turn with a barrell to gather up his line, and loose at his pleasure." 



In the second edition of this work, 1657, the author says: 



" You must have your winder within two foot of the bottom, to goe on your rod 

 made in this manner, with a spring, that you may put it on as low as you please." 



In Izaak Walton's "Compleat Angler," London, 1655, p. 189, 

 second edition, in Chap. VII., containing "Observations of the 

 Salmon, with Directions how to Fish for Him," is this passage: 



" Note also, that many use to fish for a Salmon with a ring of wire on the top of 

 their rod, through which the line may run to as great a length as is needful when he is 

 hooked. And to that end, some use a wheel about the middle of their rod, or near their 

 hand, which is to be observed better by seeing one of them than by a large demon- 

 stration of words." 



But it appears from the directions how to angle given in this 

 work that neither Walton nor Cotton made use of the reel. Also, 

 the passage just quoted, which mentions the reel, does not exist in 

 the first edition of the "Compleat Angler," published in 1653. 



Among the objects composing the frontispiece to "The Kxpe- 

 rienc'd Angler; or. Angling Improved," by Col. Robert Venables, 

 London, 1662, is a good representation of a reel or winch. In this 

 work occur the following directions as to the use of the reel: 



The next way of angling is with a troll for the Pike, which is very delightful; you 

 may buy your troll ready made, therefore I shall not trouble myself to describe it, only 

 let it have a winch to wind it withall. •••••• anf j t h en VO u may 



certainly conclude he hath pouched your bait, and rangeth abroad no more ; then 

 with your troll wind up your line, till you think you have it almost straight; then with 

 a sharp jerk hook him, and make your pleasure to your content. •••••• 



The Salmon takes the artificial fly very well ; but you must use a troll, as for the Pike, 

 or he, being a strong fish, will hazard your line, except you give him length." 



