SOME CONTROVERSIES 121 



for a fishing-rod is, after all, intended for fishing 

 rather than discussion of the more violent kind. 

 But of course almost any fishing controversy may 

 end in a similar way if the disputants are by nature 

 rather fierce. And something depends on the way 

 in which the question is raised. When, for example, 

 the fly-only salmon man says to the prawn-cum- 

 minnow salmon man, " Sir, your methods are 

 damnable, and I have a great distaste for your 

 personality, so now let us discuss the question of 

 ' fly versus bait ' " — when he begins in this way it is 

 not surprising that the two fail to arrive at any 

 sympathetic understanding of each other. And 

 I do not suppose it is any more probable that they 

 will do so if the discussion is invited by the other 

 with some such words as, " Blank again ? Well, 

 if you will be such a benighted ass as to stick to 

 your mouldy flies in water like this ..." etc. 



Whether started thus provocatively or more 

 mildly, as with, " My dear fellow, I should immensely 

 value your opinion on a point," these discussions 

 are always very interesting both to participants and 

 onlookers. For everybody has, or has had, decided 

 views on the main controversies which rage at 

 different periods. But there comes a time with 

 regard to most of tliem wlien the blessed word 

 compromise seems a useful addition to the other 

 words which fly about. As one's fishing experience 





