58 SALMON AND TROUT. 
course retained. The insides of the barrel plates on both sides 
are, in this later pattern, composed almost wholly of metal, rotating 
freely on a fixed steel pivot or centre-pin. Attached to the non- 
revolving (left-hand) plate is a brass frame or cage supporting the 
horizontal bars, between which, of course, as in ordinary reels, the 
line passes, whilst this immovable framework is ‘recessed’ into a 
groove in the revolving barrel. The object of the revolution of 
the whole right-hand side-plate—made exteriorly of wood—is to 
enable a ‘drag’ to be placed upon the running-out of the line, 
without which, as a means of regulating the length and direction 
of the cast, casting from the reel in the Nottingham style would be 
practically impossible. The two portions of the reel readily come 
apart when it is desired to oil or clean them ; and it was when in 
this separated condition that the upper figures in the cut were 
taken, the lower figure showing the reel when put together. By 
shifting with the finger a button or ‘catch’ the action can be 
changed to a ‘ check.’ 
The diameter of the reel from which the engraving was 
made is 24 inches; inside width between barrel plates, 1} inch ; 
weight, 6 oz. This size and pattern is suited for any kind of 
fishing, but for lake trout fishing I prefer a 4-inch reel of the 
original wooden pattern, the increased diameter of the axle, 
unaccompanied by any increase of weight, giving a more rapid 
and powerful winding-in power. For light salmon fishing a 
43-inch Slater’s wooden reel will be found about the most 
convenient size. After continuous wetting, these reels should 
be taken apart and carefully dried and o/ed all over, otherwise 
they are apt to swell and ‘ stick.’ 
Another comraratively recent introduction is Mr. Heaton’s 
‘Strike from the Winch’ Reel, which has its advocates for 
trout and even for salmon fishing; though, I confess, I 
should not be inclined to put any great faith in it—or rather 
in the principle it embodies—as applied to the latter purpose. 
The object of the reel is primarily to soften or relieve the 
‘jar’ of the stroke by keeping the hand clear of the line and 
allowing the reel (the resistance of which can be made weaker 
or stronger) to do the work instead. It has no ‘check,’ in the 
