240 AMERICAN GAME FISHES. 



ties; but the method of his advent there is one that concerns 

 us not, connected as it is with the vulgar and mercantile gill 

 and pound nets. Our acquaintance with him is to be rather 

 that which rises from first having ceremoniously "dropped 

 him a line," and receiving his reply in fonna propria, before 

 we proceed to seek his more intimate acquaintance. But let 

 me tell you, brother angler, an' you know it not already, 

 that if you will have true sport with him, and win his pro- 

 found gratitude for being so handsomely "taken in," you will 

 always see to it that your tackle shall be as light and delicate 

 as the spider's gossamer, and that the barbarous "trolling- 

 line" — the hand-line of commerce — shall have no place in 

 your well chosen stores. Listen to what "Timon Tyde," who, 

 as is well known, "wait(s) for no man," says of the practice: 



"Did it ever strike you that trolling with a hand-line wasn't 

 real sport .^ It is a good deal like towing on a canal, with a 

 strong team of mules and a heavy line; the boat hain't got 

 no chance. Neither has a fish, with two hands going one 

 over the other, taking in string like a revolving drum. I used 

 to do it, but I got ashamed of it. You don't get the sport out 

 of a fish on a hand-line that you do with a light rod. A man 

 doesn't get the credit for being a great fisherman because he 

 brings home a boat-load of fish. Ask the boatman who pulls 

 him around for his opinion of his man. It's either, *he's a 

 daisy,' or, 'he wanted all the fish in the lake.'" 



Be generous with your opponent! let it be give and take; 

 give him at least an equal chance with you; let him test to 

 the full the spring of your slender rod, the strength of your 

 delicate line, and the glittering vanity of the whirling spoon; 

 and then, when you come forth proudly victor, as in sooth 

 you will, if you are a true disciple of the gentle craft, there 

 will be no tinge of regret in your rejoicings, nor suspicion of 

 sordid motive attaching to your doughty deeds. And then, 

 too, you will know, as then only you can know, how much 

 of genuine sport there is in angling for this hardy prince of 



