REELS. 67 



fixed to the metal support of the foot plate. This reel-guard 

 will be noticed in the cut illustrating Messrs. Farlow's Lever 

 Reel (p. 59), marked c. 



Messrs. Bernard, of Church Place, Piccadilly, have also 

 recently made a 'protector' on the same principle, but 

 differently applied : as it is attached — always, of course, by the 

 middle bar — with a separate spring, forming an equally effec- 

 tual prevention of 'line-hitching.' Indeed, in one respect, it is 

 even more absolutely ' undefeatable ' than my original device, 

 as it occupies the whole width of the reel-barrel. Per contra 

 it adds appreciably to the weight, which the original pattern 

 does not. The annexed cut shows Bernard's modification as 

 applied to one of their excellently proportioned silver-bronzed 

 trout-reels. 



To show how really serious an annoyance this hitching of 

 the line round the reel is recognised to be, Messrs. Foster, of 

 Ashbourne, have actually gone to the trouble of constructing a 

 reel in an enlargement of the rod-butt itself, a plan which, 



SPRING FITTIHG 



AT ROa EN3 



whatever may be its merits in other respects, it is needless to 

 say effectually overcomes the difficulty.' 



Some beautiful reels are now made in America, for a 

 specimen of the most perfect of which I am indebted to the 

 courtesy of the inventor, Mr. Chas. F. Orvis, of Manchester, 

 Vermont, U.S.A. This reel, with its extraordinarily narrow 

 barrel, and side plates perforated throughout for lightness, 



^ A good temporary expedient is suggested by ' Hi Regan,' in Hcnu and 

 Where to Fish in Ireland (Sampson Low, Marston, Searle, and Rivington), 

 the most recent and reliable compendium of information for the tourist to the 

 fishing grounds of the Sister Isle. The improvised ' protector ' ' is a piece oi 

 light and tough leather (eelskin is the best), sewn round the back-bar of the 

 reel, and bouid behind, or taken in under and held by the fixed ring which 

 secures the reel plate.' 



F 2 



