TROUT FISHING. 159 



too long in the water, after dropping it, is a better 

 killer of time than of fish. He who tries to land a 

 large fish against weeds and stream, when he can take 

 him down, or allows a fish so much line as to be able 

 to rub his nose against the bottom, may be considered 

 as one in need of a fishing-master. Enough, how- 

 ever, of defects. I will now, therefore, take in hand 

 the best fly rod I have (which was made by the late 

 Mr. Higginbotham*), and a set of tackle, as made to 

 my order, by Chevalier (No. 1 2, Bell Yard, Temple 

 Bar), with a pen and ink before me. Though I should 

 first premise, that I only speak of fishing in a trout 

 stream. I have no right to go further, because a 

 man cannot be answerable for what he publishes, 

 unless all his statements and representations are 

 faithfully written, on the .spot, and with the material* 

 before him. The directions for a two-handed fly 

 rod (for trout In a small rirerj, I leave to those 

 who can see the use of it ; for my own part, I can 

 see none, except to drop the natural may-fly with, or 

 to facilitate the art to those who have not learned it 

 in the best manner. Now, then, to the point. 



ROD. About twelve feet three inches long, and 

 about fourteen ounces in weight. It must not be 



* Mr. Higginbotham was, to my fancy, the best fly rod maker 

 in the kingdom. His successor was Mr. Clark, who retired from 

 the business, which is now carried on in the best possible manner, 

 by Messrs. Willingham, 91, Strand. Chevalier's^orte is a troll- 

 ing-rod, flies, and tackle. In naming these makers of fishing 

 tackle, it would be improper not to say, however, that Ustonson, 

 Holmes, Bowness, and many others, are also excellent performers. 



