SING a reel for lengthening and shortening the line has been practiced since the beginning of the seventeenth century, maybe longer, for Izaak Walton speaks of the reel in his "Complete Angler," though he does not appear to be well acquainted with it, and probably never used one himself. The "wheel" used at that time was a simple, single action reel, and these same single action reels are the only kind used in England today. They are also used in this country for fly fishing. The multiplying
reel is all American. The single action fly reel is the simplest form of fishing reel that can be made. It consists of two side plates, held together by means of five pillars — one at the top, one at each
side and two at the bottom. These two bottom pillars are attached to the base which holds the reel to the rod. On cheap reels these pillars may be riveted, but on all the better grades they are screwed. Ordinarily they are placed near the edge of the circular plates, but sometimes are fastened into extensions of the edges, and these are called raised pillar reels. This forms the framework. In the center is the spool, which is a spindle with disc-shaped ends, not unlike a thread spool, and it turns freely between the side plates. An extension of this spindle projecting through the right side plate is fitted with a crank and handle. The line is fastened to the spool, a little hole being placed there for tying, and it is wound up by turning the handle. That is the reel in its simplest form.