TROUT FLY-FISHING IN AMERICA 



When a light gut leader is used, naturally it is for a 

 purpose. If the leader is smashed when a trout is struck, 

 it then follows either the leader was too light or the rod 

 was too powerful, and that the angler was fishing with an 

 unbalanced equipment for his ability, which is contrary 

 to skilful fly-fishing. 



The angler who persists in the use of a rod which is so 

 stiff or powerful that there is always a risk of smashing 

 the leader, either in hooking or playing a fish, is not a fly- 

 fisherman per se, but a fly-caster to whom the leader means 

 nothing and the fine art of fly-fishing is unknown. 



The skilful and good fly fisherman is one who always 

 has a well-balanced equipment, consisting of rod, reel, 

 line, leader and fly, all of which go to make up a well-pro- 

 portioned whole so far as strength and balance are con- 

 cerned; but when the rod is so stiff or so powerful that it 

 repeatedly breaks leaders, although it may be a "fine cast- 

 ing one," it is out of place, and should be discarded, if fly- 

 fishing, not fly-casting, is to be practiced. 



Take such a rod as Dr. Henshall describes, and take 

 another rod such as Mr. La Branche mentions, use leaders 

 of the same kind on each. Now, if the leader in each case 

 does not break when a strike is made and a fish is well 

 hooked, the greater advantage is gained by the stiffer or 

 "more powerful" rod, and not by the more pliable one, 

 because with the former the fish can be tired out and 

 brought to the landing net very much quicker than with 



the latter. 



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