76 DAYS IN DOVE DALE 



We reached the pleasant old " Izaak Walton " 

 by a little after ten, and although the major 

 counted out but three brace of trout good 

 heavy ones still we felt we had not lost a 

 day. 



Here I should like to offer a valuable hint 

 to rod-makers : I noticed alike in the bright 

 sunshine, in the evening twilight, and when 

 all else was dark, that I could distinguish the 

 flashing of Piscator's bright rod at a very con- 

 siderable distance. 



Now, if I could see this, I fancy the bright- 

 eyed fishes would frequently be scared by it. 



Why, ye makers, do you not make plain, 

 unvarnished rods ? There is a fortune in this 

 hint for any rod-maker who will take it and 

 make an " invisible rod." 



What is wanted in this wide-awake little 

 " Dove " is a visible fly attached to an invisible 

 hook, on an invisible line, thrown with an in- 

 visible rod by an invisible piscator. 



Had I been thus equipped, I am certain 

 my tale would not have been, as in truth it has 

 been, one of perpetual and disastrous failure. 

 I should constantly have filled my basket. I 

 have discovered the major's great secret, he 



