TROUT FLY-FISHING IN AMERICA 



the rod with great care, having the guides in proper align- 

 ment. Then attach the reel and pass the line through the 

 guides running ofi about four or five feet of line, after- 

 ward secure the line at the reel so that it cannot pay out. 

 Having done this attach to the free end of the line a one- 

 quarter pound weight, as a starter, and lift it with the rod 

 held as in the act of fishing and observe the bend of the 

 rod. 



After having made this test try a one-half pound weight 

 and again observe the bend of the rod when the weight is 

 lifted clear. Continue increasing the weight, if by this 

 time you are not satisfied, until a pound weight has been 

 tried, but do not try any greater weight, that is, if you 

 value your rod. 



By the time these tests have been completed, or if they 

 remain uncompleted, you probably will have changed 

 your views about the safe strength of fly-rods. 



About Large Trout: 



My experience has been that large trout, by which is 

 meant trout that weigh three pounds and over, are seldom 

 caught in water that is over eight feet in depth, and this 

 is exceptionally the case throughout the entire Rangeley 

 region. 



Large trout are more easily played and landed when 

 caught on small hooks, 8, lO and 12 in size (preferably the 

 two smaller sizes), than when caught on larger ones. 



This is because the bend of the small hook is usually 

 completely filled when set in the mouth of the fish, while 



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