THE BROOK TROUT. 219 



line on a heavy rod would be worse. I find many are 

 inclined to use too light a line, supposing the lighter it is, the 

 less trouble there will be in casting it. This, I think, is an 

 error. It is impossible to cast well against or across the wind 

 with a very light line; and very light lines do not 'lay out' 

 as accurately as do the heavier ones." 



I think that the lighter rods are growing in favor. Good 

 work has been done with three to five ounce switches in 

 waters adapted to their use, but for swift streams they seem 

 to me to be unsuitable, at least for the larger fish. For 

 "brushy" streams, a stiff rod is best. 



Many Trout which would otherwise be lost may be saved by 

 the use of a landing-net. If the fish is lifted from the vvater 

 by the hook, and the tackle be fine, it is liable to be broken. 



Neither a low barometer nor an electric storm are conducive 

 to success in fishing. In choosing the day, as in selecting 

 and proving the tackle, experience is the road to success. 

 A change of weather is often the prelude to good luck in 

 fishing. A thorough angler will seldom use a leader that 

 has not been tested, and it is stated by an eminent authority, 

 Mr. Henry P. Wells, that "a leader which will endure five 

 pounds steady strain with a spring balance, will, when 

 backed by the elasticity of a fair rod, resist the utmost effort 

 of the largest Trout that swims the Rangeley Lakes." 



Test, therefore, the gut you use, and never bend it when 

 dry, or allow it to be stepped upon at any time. 



I shall not attempt to offer many suggestions as to the 

 proper flies to be used for Trout. Their name is legion, and 

 each has its advocate. There are some, such as the coachmen 

 and professors, that have a place in every fly-book. For the 

 Rangeley, I suppose that no single fly will take as many 

 Trout as the Parmacheene Belle, though as it was not invented 

 when I fished those waters, I cannot say from experience. 



It is always safe to have plenty of hackles of different colors 

 — the red is a favorite with many anglers — and of small, 



