Fishing reel with cover for enclosing control dial

A fishing reel, comprising:

• first and second side cases;
• a spool shaft, and a spool rotatably supported by said spool shaft, said spool being located between said side cases;
• a handle for taking up a fishing line, said handle being disposed adjacent said second side case;
• a control dial for controlling the rotation of said spool;
• and
• cover means for enclosing an outer lateral region of said first side case for enclosing at least a portion of said control dial, and a pivot shaft for supporting said cover means, said cover means being pivotable about said pivot shaft between a closed position and an open position;
• wherein said pivot shaft is located between and forwardly of said first and second side cases, and wherein said pivot shaft is substantially parallel to said spool shaft;
• wherein said cover means comprises a forward portion and a thumb rest, said thumb rest being formed integrally with said forward portion of said cover means and extending from said first side case toward said second side case;
• wherein said control dial is completely enclosed by said cover means and said first side case when said cover means is in said closed position, and wherein said cover means and said first side case define a smooth surface with a bulge swelling out at a vertical intermediate position of said reel;
• and
• wherein said cover means has a lower edge which is positioned so as not to contact said control dial when said cover means is pivoted between said open and closed positions.