34 ROD AND RIVER 



Butt, for his work is so very good. But at the 

 same time I may as well take this opportunity 

 of stating that I have the greatest objection 

 to recommending any tradesman, save for the 

 benefit of the reader. I do not wish to make this 

 work a medium for advertisements. When I 

 know and have proved such and such a shop to 

 be the best with which I am acquainted for the 

 purchase of any article, I consider it to be my 

 duty to the reader to inform him, but solely and 

 entirely for his benefit, in order that he may rely 

 on procuring what he may require, and the best of 

 its kind. Nor do I intend to study economy, for 

 fishing-gear is one of those things which must be 

 good, and nothing but the best is reliable. 



All this, however, is, I fear, digression, but the 

 present opportunity seemed a fitting one, and I 

 am anxious to be able, thus early in the work, to 

 clear myself from the possibility of being accused 

 of any unworthy motive in mentioning the names 

 of tradesmen. I shall therefore feel freer to do 

 so, now that I have had my say on the subject. 

 Although I may make such mention, I do not 

 wish it to be inferred that such firms as I may 

 refer to are the only ones where the requisite 

 may be obtained, but those with which I am best 

 acquainted, and whose work I know to be 

 unimpeachable. 



As regards the growth of trout, there is but 



