The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1883-09-15
FISHING TACKLE.
Current Styles and Prices in Rods an(
Reels.

To one looking upon the vast array OF
modern contrivances and tackle for Al
Turing and hooking the willy fish. which
are displayed in the show windows and
cases Of establishments which make o
specially of sporting goods, it would
procured in one of them, was all per.
son needed to insure his success as o
fisherman. An expensive outfit, how.
ever, is not the only requisite for catch.
ing fish, as the city dude, who spends
500 or more for fancy rod, silken line,
and patent fly, will learn when he stands
with empty basket on the bank of 3
mountain stream and watches with
mingled admiration and disgust the
the native barefooted, ragged boy, who
learned to fish as soon as he could walk,
hirt out the finny game with no better
tackle than cotton line and pole cut
from the thicket near at hand. A boy
with pin hook can oftentimes land
more fish in an hour than n green fisher.
man, equipped with the best tackle, can
get in day Tackle in the hands OF
everyone will not catch fish, but in the
hands of the experienced sportsman il
is undoubtedly great advantage.
A devotec TO the sport pridcs himself
much upon the beauty and quality OF his
rods and lines. Several gentleman in
Cincinnati who love to cast the line are
said to be in possession of an accumula-
ton of tackle of which the aggregate
, cost was more than $4,000. Having
heard the above statement an Enquire,
reporter dropped into Cincinnati
sporting goods establishment the other
day to verify it. and to learn, if possible,
something about tackle and the men
who use it in the waters of this vicinity.
1t is now the fashion for all people to
fish when away on their vacations. So,
before going, the people of wealth, both
young and old, generally procure fish
ing outfit, more or less elegant, accord
ing to their bank account. A gentle.
man who left yesterday to spend few
months in Colorado invested 800 in III
outfit just few days previous to his de-
parture. If he does not catch fish il
will not be the fault of his tackle, and
the trying will afford him plenty OF
healthful exercise, so in all probability
he will not lose on the investment. Yet,
if he had not been u man of wealth and
good taste he could have get about the
same articles of n poorer quality for So
or $40.
The average cost of an outfit was said
to be in the neighborhood of $500.
Many, however, cost 500, some as
much as 5000, or even $500, while
many more cost about SIS.
The rod is most important, or, at
least, the most prominent feature of the
outfit. and one about which the good
angler is very particular. The price
depends, of course, upon the quality,
ranging from twenty-five cents to sew
eral hundreds of dollars. The common
long bamboo rod is now used only by
boys and in the country. The fisher
man from the city must have his jointed
pole. The best pole to be had in the
Cincinnati market commands about $40.
The common bamboo ranges in price
from 81 to So. A good stout rod fol
ordinary use, made of ash and lance
wood, is worth from So to $40, while
trout rods come higher. They are hand
made. One joint and two tips bring
from $40 to 800, while two joints and
three tips climb up to $50 in price A
rod suitable for boat-fishing is ten OF
twelve feet in length, while land rod
lis usually few feet longer. The favor
tie rod of all is usually split bamboo.
These in price touch the top and sell fol-
800 or more, much depending upon
the gold or silver mountings. They are
just the thing for the gamy trout, or
that prince of fish, the grayburg, as
they will bend double before breaking,
combining lightness with elasticity and
strength. An expert has been known
to raise and land a three pound trout
with one of these delicately fashioned
rods which apparently could resist moth
ling.
The reel is now the necessary adjunct
10 the rod. The expert angler must
have plenty of line on which to play his
fish, and for convenience must have il
wrapped on reel. There is MS much
difference in the price Of reels rs there
is that Of rods. From fifty cents to rs
many dollars are the ordinary limits.
They are made of hard rubber, brass
steel, German silver, silver, and even
gold. The Frankfort, KY, reel for {;
long period has stood foremost in the
opinions of sportsmen, but of late tho
patents on it have expired and more
recent patents are gaining ground. o.
these the lmbrie reel is n prime favor
ite. In. Kentucky reel sells rs high a,
$50. \ good, plain reel costs about 81.
Multiplying reel-those in which the
spindle revolves three or four times tC
one revolution of the crank more
Expensive. and go as high as Slj. o.
late there has come into use patent
click or an alarm reel, which gives ;
signal 10 the unwary fisherman when hi
gets nibbe.
Lines, like everything else, are OF diff
ferent qualities. There are cotton
linen aud silk lines. A common line is
sold 10 boy for Il nickel, while iift,
yards of the best oiled-silk waterproof
line is worth 81. For bass fishing ex
pert anglers want fifty yards OF line
while some must have rs much as lOC
yards. The average fisher uses mucl
less, however. After lines come hook:
and bait. These vary with the seasons
and with every variety of fish, hence
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