ROD AND TACKLE ii 



The latest form of winch fitting is described in the 



following note by Mr. Hardy, 



Winch fittings. and appears to me at once 



simple and effective. 



"The universal winch fitting invented by Dr. 

 Weeger, and originally manufactured by Messrs. Hardy 

 in 1883, has always proved a good, safe, simple ar- 

 rangement, and has been adopted by the majority of 

 rod-makers." 



" This firm have, however, lately introduced what is 

 called their patent screw winch fitting, for which they 

 claim that there is no liability of the ring which holds 

 the reel coming loose." 



" In connection with this improvement they have in 

 some rods fixed the socket into which the reel end is 

 received (and which has hitherto been on the lower 

 end of the rod handle) the reverse way, and covered 

 it with the cork forming the handle. This arrange- 

 ment prevents any irritation to the hand, as it cannot 

 come into contact with the metal parts, while using the 

 rod. The travelling screw grip is fixed on the butt 

 cap. In order to fix the reel in position it is only 

 required to push one end of the back plate into the 

 metal socket underneath the cork and then to screw 

 the travelling part over the other. The usual reversible 

 spear is fitted to the butt cap. This is undoubtedly one 

 of the most valuable of recent improvements in rod 

 fittings. It has occasionally happened to most anglers 

 that the reel has dropped off at a critical moment. With 

 this fitting such an accident cannot occur. The illustra- 



