FLY-FISHING IN THE RANGELY REGION. 97 



with increased chance of success. But to my mind, tak- 

 ing a trout other than with the fly is akin to sacrilege, 

 and unworthy an angler. Though forced to admit it 

 would be difficult to defend this opinion perhaps prej- 

 udice would more accurately describe it on strictly 

 logical grounds, it remains all the same a fixed canon of 

 my angling morality. 



A guide is requisite to one unfamiliar with these waters- 

 As far as surface indications are concerned, to a stranger 

 one place looks about as promising as another ; and the 

 water area is so great, that only by the utmost good fort- 

 une could the best places be found. These it is the 

 guide's business to know thoroughly, as well as which of 

 them promises most under the then conditions of time 

 and weather. The Eangely guides are, as a general rule, 

 a very superior class of men quiet, gentlemanly, oblig- 

 ing, and thoroughly conscientious in their endeavor to 

 give their employers the best possible sport. Not the 

 slightest apprehension need be felt on the latter score. 

 The stranger is strongly recommended to place himself 

 absolutely in his guide's hands, and to tell him in lan- 

 guage and in a manner, the sincerity of which cannot be 

 doubted, that you propose to fish where, and in such man- 

 ner, and with such flies as he may recommend ; and that 

 if he thinks any change in the manner of fishing would 

 improve the chances of success, that he is to mention it 

 at once. Otherwise, even though you fasten your fly to 

 the butt of your rod and whale the water with that, he 

 will be silent, and to all outside appearance will act as 



