^06 



vogue lately. It will wind in the line far more quickly 

 than the ordinary click reel, and when wound in, leaves 

 it in such a position that it will dry, but if this reel strikes 

 any hard substance heavily, it will fly to pieces, being as 

 brittle as an ordinary gutta percha comb, and it does not 

 yield the line nicely to the hand when the angler is 

 lengthening his casts, the line binding on the narrow slit 

 tlirough which it runs. This reel may be ipade with a 

 click or a friction screw, and should be sold very cheaply. 

 We have used it for years in trout fishing, and cannot 

 say that we give the old brass click reel any preference 

 over it, and it certainly enables us to command the line 

 more quickly when we have hooked a fish. We have not, 

 however, as yet, slammed it against a rock, an experience 

 that is reserved for the first time we lose our footing on 

 the slimy, treacherous bottom of the trout brook we may 

 be wading. 



Casting the Fly. — We can think of no way of giving 

 oral or written instruction in fly fishing. The purpose is 

 to get the line out straight, clear and lightly as far as 

 possible, and skill in doing so is only to be acquired with 

 practice. Something i-an be learned by watching a better 

 angler than yourself standing and casting by your side. 

 The motion is a peculiar one, and the best advice we can 

 give the reader about it is, to tell him to send his line 

 out with a jerk. This is contrary to every opinion and 

 direction contained in the books, and will at first, lead to 

 the snapping ofl^ of many a fiy, but it is the only way of 

 casting tlie line as it should be cast. Every other plan 

 will work after a fashion if there is a breeze to favor and 

 help, but on calm water and with no wind, it is only the 

 man that can twitch out his line that can gel it out at all. 

 We should say lift it with a jerk, swing it to the full 

 length behind you ; upon doing this thoroughly, depends 



