Methods and Equipment 337 



trout anglers often defer their visits to the 

 stream until there has been a rise of water in 

 it, and not unfrequently, when on an outing, the 

 early morning salute to their host will be im- 

 mediately followed by the query, "Did it rain 

 last night ? " The answer will determine the 

 outline of the day's occupation a delightful 

 hour or more on the stream, overhauling of 

 tackle, or reasserting the contents of their fly 

 books, or the charm of swapping fish improb- 

 abilities with their fellow-guests. 



Assured of the proper condition of the water, 

 the angler approaches it with caution, having 

 previously and carefully adjusted his tackle. 

 Stepping quietly into the stream, either in the 

 boil of a rapid or on the shallows near the 

 bank, but never into or near a pool, his first 

 cast will be up and across stream, the current 

 taking the line and swooping it down ; when at 

 full tension it is allowed to remain in the water 

 a few minutes. This is merely to get the lower 

 gear in perfect working condition, although it 

 should be nearly so before fishing if the angler 

 has provided himself with a leader box, with its 

 layers of moistened felt, and if he has carefully 

 straightened out the snoods of his flies. After 



