The Versatile Angler 53 



The smaller the fish the smaller the 

 tackle, and that is all that is required to 

 make the day a pleasant one. The 

 trouble lies in the fact that the stubborn 

 tyro judges all fish by the play of his own 

 impracticable rod. He will try for pound 

 trout with a steamboat fisherman's sea- 

 bass pole instead of a pliant rod of three 

 or four ounces, yank his trout if he can 

 catch one, which is doubtful about as 

 he would cast his sinker in fluke fishing, 

 and then come home declaring "there 's 

 no sport in catching minnows." He 

 does not stop to think that a pocket 

 pistol will kill as quickly as a cannon, or 

 that a gentleman's watch will keep as 

 correct time as a factory clock. 



"Let not prejudice prepossess you," 

 brother. Be earnest in thy days with 

 the angle, no matter where the water, no 

 matter what the species if it be edible 

 and in season and if thy methods be 

 gentle and thou shalt find a joy no 

 other sport or pastime affords. 



