50 The American Salmon-fisherman. 



Others are constructed with a, piece of flat spring-metal 

 bent into the shape of one half of a bow wagon-spring. 

 This is placed in the cavity formed between the spool and 

 the outer plate on the handle-side of the reel, and acts in 

 the following manner: The axle of the reel is inserted 

 through a hole in the middle of this spring, and the whole 

 is so arranged that when the outer plate of the reel and 

 the spool are in position, the middle of the springs bears 

 against the spool and its extremities bear against the 

 outer plate. It acts as a drag, and its vigor may be ad- 

 justed by taking the reel apart, and increasing or diminish- 

 ing the bend in the spring as more or less resistance is de- 

 sired. But in using a drag of this kind, the bearing of the 

 spring upon the spool, which is the place of motion, must 

 be well lubricated with a lubricant having considerable 

 body. Had this precaution been taken, the disaster with 

 which this chapter opens would never have occurred. 



It is apparent from the foregoing that the life of the 

 click is one of severe usage, and that if it is to be of long 

 duration every part must be of the very best. 



Lightness in a salmon-reel, though important, is not of 

 such consequence as in a trout-reel. One pound, Avhen 

 empty, is a light weight for one of the capacity indicated. 

 Three or four ounces additional, however, is of far less 

 consequence than any possible deficiency in strength and 

 durability. A poor salmon-reel to one who has to use it, 

 is dear even though a free gift. 



LIXES. 



The varieties and merits of lines for fly-fishing, as well 

 as the materials and methods of manufacture, were quite 

 fully considered in my former volume. 



