1 74 Walton and some Modem Baits. 



trout will come as fiercely at it as the 

 highest mettled Hawk doth seize on a 

 Partridge, or a Grey-hound on a Hare," 

 wants no improving. 



It would, I think, be a good thing if in 

 many ways we went back to the simplicity 

 of Walton's directions in making up our 

 tackles spinning or other. I can fancy 

 his astonishment if a modern " compleat 

 angler " could show him the latest kill- 

 devil with great metal fans to spin it, and 

 carrying from six to fifteen hooks ; what 

 would he as a sportsman say to the 

 "automatic" and other inventions for 

 taking fish which are so loudly advertised 

 in this country and America, their chief 

 merits if their inventors are right being 

 that they give the fish " no chance " ? 

 Some are guaranteed to kill the fish by 

 spring power, so that he cannot breathe, 

 two springs made into hooks holding his 

 jaws open. 



With such tackle and baits Walton 

 would never have killed that three brace 

 of trout before breakfast ; but, on the other 

 hand, he would never have had to make 

 Piscator exclaim, 



"Oh me! he has broke all; there's 

 half a line and a good hook lost. 



" Venator. Aye and a good trout too. 



" Piscator. Nay, the Trout is not lost, 



