SUCKER FISHING 13 



and reel, there is no reason why it should not be 

 used. Rods of really good quality can be bought 

 for such a trifle, that most boys will coax a rela- 

 tive to make them a present of one, if they can- 

 not earn the money themselves. However, as 

 self-help is one of the chief charms I have found 

 in fishing, I shall tell you how to equip yourself 

 for sucker fishing at only a few cents' cost. 



The ordinary canes that one can buy at the 

 hardware store for a few cents make a capital 

 sucker rod (or even trolling rod for pickerel) ; 

 but if this is beyond your means, go into the 

 nearest waterside copse, and cut one of the 

 straightest poles you can find. Do this very 

 early in the season, so that you can trim it of 

 all the branches, and set it upright to dry for a 

 little time in the barn. It may be straightened 

 at any specially crooked parts by heating it over 

 the kitchen stove till quite hot, then suspending 

 it from a rafter with a weight several flatirons 

 will do to the but, or large end. In a week 

 you will be surprised at the improvement in its 

 appearance. If you want to make it still more 

 useful and neat, go to work as follows : sand- 

 paper off the knots and other irregularities, and, 



