438 Book of the Black Bass. 



a severe strain. If the reel-plate fits the rod too loosely, 

 place strips of parchment or card-board between the plate 

 of the reel and the groove of the rod, until the reel-band 

 will just slip over the plate and hold it firmly. If the reel- 

 plate is too long, or too thick for the reel-seat of the rod, 

 one or the other, or both, must be cut to fit; at all events, 

 see that your reel fits its seat firmly and securely. 



Always, if you can, use the reel " underneath," with the 

 handle to the right side, when reeling the line ; and always 

 turn the crank, in reeling, " away " from you, or in the 

 direction that the hands of a watch move. It may seem 

 unnecessary to mention this latter precaution, but I have 

 known it to be used the contrary way. W'hen angling, 

 and the fly or bait is in the water, never, for a moment, lay 

 the rod down with a turn of the line around the crank of 

 the reel to serve as a drag, for I have several times seen 

 both rod and reel jerked overboard, and irretrievably lost, 

 by just such inexcusable carelessness and stupidity, and 

 the savage " bite " of a big fish. 



Care of the Line. 



The line should be thoroughly dried, always^ after use. 

 This injunction is of the highest importance to the angler. 

 The entire line — not merely the portion that may have 

 been used — should be stretched between two trees, around 

 pegs or nails driven up for the purpose, or wound on a line 

 drying-reel, and exposed to the su.n and air ; or, if at night, 

 or if the day be damp, it should be coiled around the back 

 of a chair, and placed near the fire. 1 can not impress the 

 necessity of this care too strongly on the beginner, for he 

 will see so many bad examples in those who ought to know 

 better, but who habitually put away the reel and wet line, 

 to the everlasting injury of both, because it is " too much 



