TREATISE ON FLY-FISHING. 9 



table but still their natural gluttony cannot be 

 reclaimed even by education. They have always, 

 when they fish, a string fastened round their 

 throats, to prevent them from devouring their 

 prey, as otherwise they would at once satiate 

 themselves and discontinue the pursuit the mo- 

 ment they had filled their bellies." 



Local information, is at all times, most valuable 

 to the fisherman ; without it, his money is often 

 wasted, and his patience, sorely taxed. He 

 purchases flies, which frighten, rather than attract, 

 the fish, A sportsman should seek instruction 

 from every quarter, and not take for granted that 

 the experience he has acquired in his own neigh- 

 bourhood, will serve him when he roams from 

 home. But many are to apt to rely on their own 

 judgment ; they procure flies, which are totally 

 inapplicable to our rivers ; they sally forth on a 

 piscatory trip well provided with these monsters ; 

 they have little or no sport ; are disgusted with 

 our rivers ; and seek in some distant land that 



