A DAY'S COACHING 43 



than that it should be returned, for the injury to such a fish 

 which follows scalding from injudicious handling, tends to 

 create a black or discoloured fish, and predisposes the trout 

 to the attacks of fungus, see page 124. 



Let me impress upon the novice that he should have 

 due consideration for the rights of the owners, his fellow- 

 fishermen, the trout, and the stream. Give them all a 

 chance. Never take undersized trout ; never make a 

 boast about big takes of trout. Never be discouraged. If 

 the fish are small, put on the finest tackle. Every day on 

 which you fish you will most certainly add to your knowledge 

 and skill. Although the fish may be untakable and your 

 luck villainous, your fortune will turn. The apparently 

 worst day may before it closes produce the biggest fish. 

 You will find as your skill increases that the pleasure of 

 netting a fish you have beaten is much greater than killing 

 it and carrying it home. 



THE BROKEN HOOK 



Now try that rise on the other side. Keep well down 

 and see that your fly is clean and dry before casting. 

 Why, you have risen two fish and touched them both ! 

 Allow me to look at that fly. Ah ! I thought so. Now feel 

 the point of your hook, and you will find that it has become 

 blunted, perhaps from having been carelessly broken out 

 of the last fish, or maybe from catching it in that bough a 

 minute ago. 



The fine splitting file on the disgorger in my knife now 

 becomes useful. Two or three applications of the file to 

 the point of the hook, and it has as fine a needle point as 

 ever. It does not take more than five seconds to sharpen 

 the point of a hook. It renews the usefulness of the fly, 

 and saves time ; therefore, always carry a file, as it may 

 be that later in the day the hook of your last taking 



