TROUT- FISHING A FINE AKT. 149 



the poor and rich all classes, ages, and conditions, have en- 

 joyed the sport of angling for trout. It possibly calls forth 

 more tact and discipline of both mind and body to success- 

 fully invent and present the lures most captivating to it than 

 to any other fresh-water fish. Although the brook trout is 

 probably the most numerous of all the game fishes, and sought 

 for by the greatest number of contemplative philosophers, 

 yet it may be angled for with the commonest tackle, and with 

 a willow wand cut by the side of any stream, or it may be 

 fished for with a very elaborate apparatus, and in either case 

 afford genuine sport. 



The common trout is the standard sport of the enthusiastic 

 angler. In many countries the trout and salmon are the only 

 varieties of game fishes which interest the angler ; and while 

 salmon-fishing may be justly regarded as the highest branch 

 of fresh-water sport, yet it has been justly said by Francis 

 Francis that " a good trout-fisher will easily become an ex- 

 pert at salmon-fishing ; but a very respectable practitioner 

 with the salmon-rod will often have all his schooling to do 

 afresh, should he descend to trout-fishing, before he can take 

 rank as a master of the art." 



But it is left to the American angler to enjoy those numer- 

 ous and various resources of sport unknown to the European. 

 Our black bass are nearly as high game as the salmon, while 

 some think the striped bass higher, not to name the other va- 

 rieties of game for the rod and the troll, which shoal in myr- 

 iads along our coasts, and in the estuaries of innumerable riv- 

 ers debouching in salt waters. 



After enumerating the fascinations of all other fishes, the 

 mind settles in pleasurable contemplation of the brook trout. 

 His capture is so delicate, and yet so artistic. Even the rus- 

 tic is taught refinement of address by following a trout stream 

 with his ash wand. Trouting is an abiding and universal 

 source of pleasure to all classes and conditions of men and 

 boys ay, and of ladies also. It must therefore be invested 

 with a great variety of elements intended to create refined 



