1 92 ELEMENTS OF ANGLING. 



suppose to be the baser appetites of his quarry. 

 Its superiority to fly-fishing is mainly found in the 

 matter of expediency one can catch by the one 

 method fish which one cannot catch by the other. 

 This last consideration really justifies in full, always 

 provided that one does not offend against the 

 proprieties by trying to spin in waters where it is- 

 not necessary and where " fly only " is the rule, 

 expressed or understood. 



Also, I think it well that with the spinning-rod 

 one should take on ambition, and aim not at filling 

 the creel, but at catching the biggest trout in the 

 river. There is a stimulus about this intention 

 which raises spinning to a high level of dignity 

 The Thames trout fisher who returns a four- 

 pounder as " too small " (there are a few such men)' 

 can look with complacency on the lofty standards 

 of the dry-fly man ; albeit he uses a spinning bait, 

 he has nothing to learn in point of sportsmanship. 

 But I do not suggest that the novice should vow to- 

 return four-pounders ; let him catch one first, and 

 then vow if he feels able. He will not be blame- 

 worthy if, as he gazes on the four pounds of spotted 

 perfection, he acquires a sudden conviction that this 

 is the biggest trout of the river. Of some it would 

 be, so rash vows are to be deprecated. 



Tackle for spinning, as for other methods, should 



