670 AMERICAN ANGLER'S BOOK. 



beauties of nature above water, and not in the abundance or voracity of 

 fish under water. A great many people imagine that " to go a-fishing" 

 means to go and catch fish ; or to try it. No such thing. * * * 

 What sport, indeed, is there in angling in a tub, or shooting in a barn- 

 yard ? We do not undervalue the excitement of taking fish when the size 

 and spirit of the captive bring coolness and skill into full action. But we 

 are speaking now of American Trout-fishing as it is generally found, when 

 the day's sport produces seldom a fish weighing over two or three pounds, 

 and, except in a few localities, seldom a fish of a pound. March fishing 

 is really but poor sport, and, except for good inns, fine cooking, and the 

 pleasant evenings by the fireside, we doubt whether a tenth part of those 

 who go a-fishing in March could be induced to undertake it. But these 

 accompaniments are not the special accessories of the Trout-fishing. On 

 the contrary, they belong rather to the city, and may be had without wet 

 feet, or a day in a chilly March wind. 



May is the pleasantest and most profitable month for Trout-fishing in 

 this country. The mysteries of the American forest begin to unfold and 

 develop then, while nature commences to hide with leaves the skeleton 

 which winter has exhibited. Wild-flowers abound. Winds hold new and 

 not unmusical conversations with young leaves. The sharp whistle of the 

 earlier months around the branches, changes to the softer rustle and 

 whisper of summer. The flow of the streams is more settled. The water 

 is clearer. The pools look black and deep, not milky and shallow. The 

 margins are green, with bright spots of blue and white where liverwort 

 and anemone blossoms shine out. It is not strange to see a man who has 

 heavy responsibility on his shoulders, throw it off in May to go Trout/- 

 fishing. A long walk by a forest stream is then a long dream — rather a 

 reality of beauty. Health and happiness are in the air. The sky is as 

 fall of glory as the sea of water. It overflows, and he who gives his heart 

 to the surrounding influences will receive of that overflow. There is no 

 sentiment about it. It is reality. It tells in bone and muscle and sinew, 

 but it tells more plainly in the mind, and proves its beneficent effects in 

 the new life, new thought, new spring which it gives to the intellectual 

 organs. We respectfully recommend him who is desirous of trying the 

 experiment, to postpone his effort until May, and then go into the Ameri- 

 can forest, and study its magnificence. 



