40 THE AMERICAN TROUT. 
head Lake, where he will still find comfort in a rougher 
way, and wonderful good sport ; or he may boldly strike 
out into the trackless woods, commit himself to his birch 
canoe and trusty guide, and then, if he be made of the 
right stuff, I promise him such happiness as he will never 
forget — merry innocent days and dreamless nights, 
health in every limb, and contentment in his mind. 
There is no fish more difficult to catch, nor that gives 
the true angler more genuine sport than the trout. His 
capture requires the nicest tackle, the greatest skill, the 
most complete self-command, the highest qualities of 
mind and body. The arm must be strong that wields 
the rod ; the eye true that sees the rise ; the wrist quick 
that strikes at the instant; the judgment good, that selects 
the best spot, the most suitable fly, and knows just how 
to kill the fish. A fine temper is required to bear up 
against the loss of a noble fish, and patient perseverance 
to conquer ill luck. 
Hence it is that the fisherman is so proud of his basket 
of a dozen half-pound trout, he feels that any one more 
awkward or less resolute could not have done so well. 
He feels conscious that he does not owe his success to 
mere luck, but has deserved the glory. He feels that 
he has elevated himself by the very efi'ort. Do not sup- 
pose I mean that there is no skill in other fishing ; 
there is in all, even in catching a minnow for bait, but 
most of all in trout-fishing. 
