214 CASTING TACKLE AND METHODS 



be overly long. A loaded revolver will come in 

 handy should the rodster be unfortunate ( ?) 

 enough to hook a large pike. A spare line will 

 give a sense of confidence. Accidents happen not 

 only in the best of regulated families, but also in 

 the career of the night fisherman. He is wise who 

 provides for any contingency. By the way, I have 

 a friend who always carries a life preserver, but 

 that is preparedness beyond the imagining of our 

 Theodore; however, boats have been known to tip 

 over in the wild scramble which sometimes occurs 

 incident to the netting of a large bass. 



I have already written largely upon the subject 

 of fishing companions, but suffer a word or two in 

 addition. If it is the caster's purpose to move about 

 from spot to spot, or along the edge of weed-beds 

 or shore, a companion is an absolute essential. 

 While I am one of the "go alone" clan, still I value 

 comradship highly. Let the rodster select his night 

 companion as he would a life-partner, with discrimi- 

 nation and care. Not a guide, no, but a companion, 

 like himself in love with the sport for sport's sake, 

 and as intimately acquainted with the water. The 

 loquacious individual should be abhorred as the 

 plague, a mute being preferable. Let Caliban's cre- 

 ative "Quiet" have the mastery. The only sounds 

 those made by Nature's wakeful denizens, and the 

 splashing of feeding fish. There is a silent comrad- 

 ship which is as infinitely superior to talkability as 



