The Double Crank Handle
One of my favorite angling writers is O. Warren Smith, who in addition to several books, wrote many articles in the early years of the last century. He also served as the Angling Editor of Outdoor Life for some years. As an Angling Editor he was expected to review new developments in fishing tackle. Today's write up appeared in the October 1916 issue of Outdoor Life along with several other items under the heading: “Some Odd Casting Reels and Special Attachments.”One forgets how strange new developments sometime seem when first observed. Such was the case with the “double crank handle” when it first began to appear on casting reels. One writer of the day even ventured the opinion that one's fingers would become hopelessly entangled in such a contraption! Today it is the single griped, counter balanced handle that seems somewhat out-of-place in bass-sized baitcasting reels.
-- Dr. Todd
