456 AMERICAN FISHES. 



other. If so, of course they are the best, but I prefer the hair, know- 

 ing that when wet it acquires such a weight that you can cover twenty 

 yards with it readily. 



We now come to the consideration of reels, which we shall dismiss 

 in a few words. There are only two sorts that are fit for use, the 

 plain* and the click wheel.\ The others are downright impostors, 

 always getting out of order or getting you in trouble, whichever 

 sort you have of them. For Salmon, the most convenient size is one 

 four and a half inches diameter by one and a half inches wide inside. 

 For Trout, two and a half inches diameter by three-fourths of an inch 

 wide. They should have a long, flat brass base to fasten to the rod by 

 means of slides, and are more convenient with the new patent handle, 

 the ivory knob of which screws and unscrews, allowing a hinge to 

 work so that the knob can either be put inside and kept there by a 

 notch cut in the rim of the outside plate, or else in the proper position 

 for reeling up. 



REEL WITH PATENT HANDLE. 

 A 



A. Plate of wheel with cut in it. 



* The catch of a click wheel, unless well made and kept oiled, is apt to refuse to 

 work sometimes. "When it does this in running out, it overshoots the line and 

 fouls. Take off the cap and give the steel dagger a blow with a hammer or any 

 iron substance ; this generally corrects the defect unless the cogs are too much worn, 

 in which case they must be renewed. 



f Never buy a plain or any other reel with a stop, 'tis the devil's invention, to 

 cause you to lose many a fish, and thereby " swear a few." It constantly slips, 

 and brings the line up taught, and snaps when running out fast. 



