88 



made, in the form shown in the wood cuts, of wood and metal 

 combined, by which the diameter of the axle is reduced, and the 

 reel so far in all respects assimilated to the ordinary patterns of 

 brass and bronze, its speciality in regard to the Nottingham 

 style of casting being of course retained. The insides of the 

 barrel plates on both sides are, in this improved pattern, composed 

 almost wholly of metal, rotating freely on a fixed steel pivot or 

 centre-pin. Attached to the non-revolving (left hand) plate is a 

 brass frame or cage supporting the horizontal bars, between 

 which, of course, as in ordinary reels, the line passes, whilst this 

 immovable framework is " recessed " into a groove in the 

 revolving barrel. The object of the revolution of the whole right 

 hand side-plate, made exteriorly of wood is to enable a ' drag ' 

 to be placed upon the running-out of the line, without which 

 as a means of regulating the length and direction of the cast 

 casting from the reel in the Nottingham style would be practically 

 impossible. The two portions of the reel readily come apart 

 when it is desired to oil or clean them ; and, it is when in this 

 separated condition that the upper figures in the cut were 

 taken, the lower figure showing the reel when put together. By 

 simply shifting with the finger a button or * catch ' the action can 

 be changed to a ' check.' 



The diameter of the reel from which the engraving was made is 

 2 \ inches; inside width between barrel plates, ij inch; weight 

 6 oz. This size is suited for float fishing generally, except where, 

 from any cause, an extra light reel is an object. 



Another comparatively recent introduction is Mr. Rheuben 

 Heaton's " Strike from the Winch " Reel, which has its advocates 

 for Trout and even for Salmon fishing ; though, I confess, I should 

 not be inclined to put any great faith in it or rather in the 

 principle it embodies as applied to the latter purpose. The 

 object of the reel is primarily to soften or relieve the 'jar' of the 

 stroke by keeping the hand clear of the line and allowing the reel 



