95 



There is still, however, something left to be desired in this 

 respect. The snake is 'scotched' not killed. Even with the handle 

 attached to the side plate, the line still is left free to hitch round 

 behind the back of the reel itself a freedom of which, it is almost 

 needless to say, it seems to have a provoking determination to 

 avail itself to the utmost. It occurred to me, therefore, that a stop 

 might be put, once for all, on this never-ending worry, by partly 

 covering over the space at the back of the reel with a ' protector ' 

 or guard. The mechanical realisation of the idea was easy ; the 

 protector springs from the middle bar of the posterior curve, over 

 which (bar) it ' clasps,' the exterior end pressing close onto and 

 against the rod, whilst the ' interior ' end is fixed to the metal 

 support of the foot plate. I published an illustrated description 

 of this reel-guard in the " Modern Practical Angler," ist edition, 

 1870, and other essays. It will be noticed, also, attached to 

 the reels in the two drawings of my pattern of fly-rods, pp. 70, 73. 

 It can be attached to any existing reel. 



Messrs. Bernard, of 5, Church Place, Piccadilly, have recently 



REEL WITH LINE PROTECTOR. 



made a 'protector' on the same principle but differently applied; 

 as it is attached always, of course, by the middlebar with a spring, 



