190 FISHING IN AMERICAN WATERS. 



The above pastoral was contributed by a clergyman who 

 is as eloquent in the pulpit as he is persuasive along the 

 streams. The disciples were fishermen. 



The bait-rod should be a little heavier and longer than the 

 fly-rod. I prefer one not less than fifteen feet in length, 

 formed of four joints, the top one lancewood; and in place 

 of rings, I prefer guides of aluminum. A click multiplier is 

 the best reel. In angling a stream of tangled brush margin, 

 it may be fished without the bottom joint by tying on the 

 reel ; and in carrying the rod through brambles, it is best to 

 unjoint, leaving the line and reel on when the distance is only 

 from one trout pool to another, or not more than a mile. The 

 bait-fisher is much more eager in pursuit of his game than is 

 the fly-fisher. He threads his way through thorns and bram- 

 bles that appear impenetrable to any one but a bait-fisher. 

 He prefers to wade the stream if it be not too deep, but he 

 permits nothing to prevent him from fishing all the pools. 

 He generally prefers to fish down stream, and if he discovers 

 fresh tracks of an angler gone before, he will either endeavor 

 most adroitly to get before him, or he will fish so slow as to 

 let the trout recover from the fright caused from the disturb- 

 ance of the waters by the angler ahead of him. In the mean 

 time the foremost angler is continually on the alert to see 

 that no one gets before him on the stream ; but if he suspects 

 an attempt to outflank him, he pretends to reel up and pre- 

 pare for home, when in reality he is only putting up his tackle 

 to make a long detour and arrive at the stream at a greater 

 distance below his adversary. The bait-fisher does not like 

 the fly-fisher fish all the stream, but knows how to judge 

 where the trout lie in wait for bait. The fly-fisher often 

 takes them from the shallow reefs before they seek their hid- 

 ing-places, where the bait-fisher finds them. Bait-fishing is, 

 of all field-sports, the parent of more patience and eager per- 

 severance than any other. 



