"The Anglers Equipment" 157 



no harm in a dull finish to a fly-rod, which, 

 if it be but a fad, is one on the right side. 



The main point for fishermen to be 

 particular about, is not to fish with the fly 

 when the sun is shining on his back, throw- 

 ing the shadow of his rod and his figure in 

 front of him. 



If a man remembers to avoid this, I do 

 not think he need trouble, because his rod 

 is highly varnished. 



And now as to reels. Let me remark 

 that I prefer gun-metal and brass-bronzed 

 reels to all others. Vulcanite reels break, 

 if they happen to fall upon a stone ; and I 

 know nothing to the advantage of aluminium, 

 save lightness. There are many patented 

 reels about : of which the " Moscrop," 

 seems to be a good sample. 



I do not desire a reel to be excessively 

 light, since it helps to balance the rod, placed 

 as it is behind the " grip," not in front of 

 it, as of old : and I regard as unnecessary, 

 many of the so-called improvements in 

 reels. My own opinion is, that the very 

 best quality of brass or gun-metal " check " 

 reels with revolving plates, are hard to 

 beat. To give them a fair chance, they 

 should frequently be taken to pieces, the 

 plate removed, the interior thoroughly 



