THE POINT OF VIEW 209 



as it may, can the degree of skill, even with the 

 lightest tackle, displayed in the landing of a 

 two or three pound trout (a fine fish on our 

 Eastern streams) bear comparison with that 

 required in the capture of a six-foot tarpon on 

 a six-ounce rod and a six-strand line? A six- 

 foot tarpon will weigh about one hundred and 

 twenty pounds, and the line will bear a dead- 

 weight strain of twelve pounds. Compare this 

 with the three-pound trout taken on a gut leader, 

 the weakest link in the angler's chain, which 

 will lift a weight of two or more pounds, and 

 the futility of beguiling oneself with the belief 

 that the trout has any advantage will be ap- 

 parent. 



The playing of a trout is undeniably part of 

 the sport, but, however difficult one wishes to 

 make it, it is but secondary to the pleasure de- 

 rived from casting the fly and deluding that old 

 trout into mistaking it for a bit of living food. 

 It is this art, this skill, this study of the fish it- 

 self and its habits, that places dry fly fishing 

 for trout far ahead of all other forms of angling. 

 It has been said that there is no sport that re- 

 quires in its pursuit a greater knowledge of 

 the game, more skill, more perseverance, than 

 fly fishing, and that no sport holds its votaries 



