200 CASTING TACKLE AND METHODS 



stump, held erect by the roots still remaining in the 

 soil but with one-half or two-thirds of the tentacles 

 projecting out and down into the water, is sure to 

 shelter a fish and therefore should not be passed 

 carelessly by the rodster who tramps the shore, e'en 

 though casting is perilous to tackle. The only way 

 to save tackle is to induce the fish to come out of his 

 lair. If the angler allows the lure to adventure 

 down amid the roots and the fish takes it, it. is a per- 

 fectly safe gamble that the daring angler will mourn 

 a lost fish, if he is not called upon to assist at the 

 obsequies of some favorite plug. But the very peril 

 increases the attractiveness of the game. "Nothing 

 ventured, nothing had," is a good slogan for the 

 shorecaster. 



Sometimes when following down a river the 

 rodster will come to a high, steep bank, the purling 

 water some twenty or thirty sheer feet below him. 

 Usually the current washes the foot of such a bluff, 

 while the far bank is low and marshy, the reason 

 therefor being not far to seek. Naturally the deep 

 water should be fished from the other side, casting 

 over, but the fisherman is not on the far side and has 

 no means of crossing. What shall he do? Shall he 

 pass the spot un-fished, waiting for another day when 

 he shall be upon the other side of the river? A good 

 plan perhaps, but if the steep bank is clear of trees 

 and brush, as is often the case, I should say, cast. 

 "What, from the top?" Yes, "from the top !" Such 



