THETARPON 57 



derstood and it is manipulated skillfully. The Pflueger 

 Avalon reel is an excellent one and there are several 

 others well adapted to this fishing. Lighter reels are 

 used with smaller lines. Any large well-made salt 

 water or fresh water reel may be converted into a 

 fairly suitable one for this fishing by the application 

 of one of the patent drag handles now on the market 

 like the Williams or the Rabbeth. All reels should be 

 fitted with a thumb pad, which in the hands of a skillful 

 angler, answers the purpose of a drag, if the angler 

 has a muscular thumb. A reel should be sent to its 

 maker and overhauled every year. It must be well 

 oiled during the fishing so it will not ' ' freeze. ' ' 



Butt Rests — Heavy fish are usually played with the 

 butt of the rod inserted in a leather butt rest secured 

 to the upper side of the angler's pivoting chair seat. 

 "With light tackle the angler may find it convenient to 

 wear a leather butt rest strapped around the waist. 

 This is carried by all the outfitters. It is also well 

 to equip the butt of the rod with a rubber pad having 

 a flat rim. This acts as a fulcrum when the rod is 

 pressed against the body. 



Lines — Linen lines are either laid (twisted) or 

 braided. The former is the stronger, but it kinks 

 easier than the braided line. A silk line does not stand 

 salt water well, as it rots ; but it is stronger than the 

 linen line. The first-class linen tarpon line is guaran- 

 teed by dealers to be twisted out of from six to thirty- 

 sLx threads or strands of yam having a tensile strength 

 of two pounds per strand. It should be made from the 



