FISHING-REELS. 245 



fying to the angling fraternity. It is now an easy matter 

 to procure a first-class reel at a moderate price, consider- 

 ing the admirable manner in which they are gotten up ; 

 for, by comparison with the click-reel, the former is about 

 double in price, and this is necessarily so, on account of 

 the great difference in construction of the two reels. 



Among the many excellent multiplying reels now manu- 

 factured, the "Frankfort Reel" still takes the lead, and 

 is the reel par excellence for Black Bass angling. It is 

 known among expert anglers, in various portions of the 

 country, as the " Meek," " Meek & Milam," " Frankfort," 

 and " Kentucky" reel. It is now made exclusively by 

 B. C. Milam, of Frankfort, Kentucky; and, as it is not 

 so universally known as its merits deserve, I will give a 

 brief history of it : 



Some thirty years ago, there being a demand among the 

 anglers of Kentucky and Ohio for a better reel than was 

 furnished by the trade, Mr. Meek, a watchmaker, of 

 Frankfort, Kentucky to whom Mr. Milam was then an 

 apprentice determined to produce a reel which would 

 meet the requirements and solicitations of his fishing 

 friends; so, after considerable study and many experi- 

 ments, the " Frankfort Reel " was produced, as perfect 

 then as it is to-day. Mr. Milam was soon afterward taken 

 into partnership by Mr. Meek, and the firm of Meek & 

 Milam soon became famous throughout the West for their 

 excellent reel. The demand continued to increase, until 

 they found a ready sale for all they could manufacture. 



The reel is made by hand, from the finest materials, and 

 as carefully and correctly in its fittings as the movement 

 of a watch. The bearings and pivots are of the finest 

 temper, and the entire reel is as perfect in workmanship, 



