348 



AMERICAN ANGLER'S BOOK. 



Keels. — A Salmon-reel should be large enough, to contain a 

 hundred yards of line without filling the spool so full that it 

 will clog. A simple reel is to be preferred to a multiplier, 

 for several reasons ; an important one is that it is less apt to 

 get out of order from the rough usage to which it is some- 

 times subjected. One with the outer plates about three and 

 three-quarters inches in diameter, and an inch and a half 

 between the plates, is large enough. The click or bearing, 

 which is arranged between one of the inner plates and the 

 small outer plate next to it, should offer resistance enough to 

 require about six ounces to draw the line from the reel. Of 

 course there is an additional friction when the line passes 

 through the rings of the rod and out through the tip ; and 

 this is all the bearing that is required or safe to offer in con- 

 trolling a Salmon, even when you are butting him to press 

 him from a dangerous place, or towards the gaff as he becomes 

 exhausted. The best Salmon-reels have a smooth conical 

 crank fastened in an outer plate, which revolves against the 



