CALIFORNIA PISH AND GAME. 



109 



they learn a little by bitter experience. If you could have kept your 

 'hoppers on top of the water and made them float with the stream 

 in a natural manner you would, in all probability, have gotten some 

 fish. 



Tourist : We are getting near where we were yesterday. I recognize 

 that grove of pine trees, but I don't see as many grasshoppers in the 

 air as I did yesterday. 



Angler: It is a little early yet. In an hour's time you will see just 

 as many flying as you did yesterday. 



Well, here we are at the river. 



Fig. 29. Proper knot for t,\ing large fly hook to leader. 



There surely aren't many 'hoppers floating down yet. But we 

 needn't worry, there will be hundreds later on. In the meantime, I 

 will put my rod together and get ready for the fray. 



Tourist: I notice that you have put your reel on with the handle 

 pointing to the left. Are you left handed? 



Angler : No, but I hold the rod with my right hand and wind up the 

 line with the left. It is awkward at first, but one soon gets used to it, 

 and I need not point out the advantage of lieing able to wind up the 

 line without having to change the rod to the left hand, as you will see 

 so many people doing. 



Tourist: How long is that leader? Isn't it rather too light to handle 

 a good sized fish? 



Angler: The leader is 9 feet long. Although it only has a breaking 

 strain of 2^ pounds, it is (piite strong enough for the average big fish 



The "turle" knot, one often used. 



hereabouts. I do not expect to get anything much over 5 pounds. 

 Of course, if one got hold of a really big fish, such as 10 or 11 pounds, 

 one would have to be extra careful, but with ordinary luck and man- 

 agement, it is not impossible to land a large trout on a leader such as 

 this. 



