THE ANGLER AND HTNTSMAX 15 



you prefer, one not too supple and with plenty of power 

 and resiliency. You don't have to have the highest-priced 

 rod on the market, neither is it advisable to buy the cheap- 

 est. Buy one commensurate with your ability. Of course 

 generally the higher priced rods are of better material and, 

 therefore, last longer and give better service. It pays to 

 buy good stuff, when it can be afforded. Try out the rod 

 before you purchase it; see if you like it in every particu- 

 lar. 



Next comes the reel. The same doctrine applies to 

 the purchase of this important item as applies to the rod. 

 Get as good quality as your purse permits. A cheap one 

 will may be be all right for a while but in the long run it pays 

 to purchase good tackle. 



Then comes the line, which should be silk, of sufficient 

 weight to cast well in the wind and to fit the rod, one that 

 will not strain the rod and yet not so light that it will fail 

 to get the action out of the rod required. For a rod 9 1-2 

 feet long, weight 5 to 6 ounces, size E line is commonly 

 used. 



The selection of the leaders is of next importance. For 

 rough streams use a heavy 3-foot leader, but on calm, shal- 

 low streams this will not do. A fine gut is an important 

 part of the tackle, and the leader should be at least six feet 

 in length if obtainable. Fine gut is sometimes hard to ob- 

 t.-iin, but should be used whenever procurable. 



The kind of fly you use, w r hile important, is not nearly 

 so important as the manner of fishing it. 



Sometimes, when trout are real hungry they will take 

 most anything in the lure of dry flies, but at other times 

 they appear to sulk and will bite at nothing, while some- 

 times a particularly fascinating lure will get their goat, 

 and at still other times a dull drabby color will appeal to 

 their taste. They seem to have moods, as well as fixed 

 habits, and we 4 have to study their moods as well as their 

 set characteristics. 



