TROUT FLY-FISHING IN AMERICA 



Where are the words, *'in plain words T or any other 

 kind of words which Dr. Henshall has written, which say 

 the function of a rod is in the power "/V gives the angler 

 to kill fish"f 



What motive was it that called forth such a statement, 

 and what spirit was it that prompted these words which 

 have not one letter of truth in them? 



Statements that are false on their face require no re- 

 futing — they condemn themselves. 



Third — That "at the least" it enables the angler "to handle 

 his fish with a minimum risk of loss." 



The rod the Doctor describes does enable the angler 

 to cast, strike, hook, play and land his fish, if handled in a 

 scientific and skilful manner, so as to save or protect the 

 leader and snell and also to land the fish that is lightly 

 hooked, all due to the action of the rod; but it does not 

 mean, without skill, "to handle his fish with a minimum 

 risk of loss." Far from it, as all experienced fly-fisher- 

 men know to their sorrow and from sad, sad experience. 



Fourth — "I maintain that Dr. Henshall's principle is wrong, 

 because it presupposes a desire upon the part of the angler to pos- 

 sess fish, . . . and surely the desire of possession alone cannot 

 call so many to the brooksidel" 



Conceive, if you can, a supposedly experienced angler 

 making such a statement in the first place and then ask 

 yourself if it is possible for any sane fly-fisherman in the 

 second place to take any stock in it. 



80 



