94 FISHING KITS AND EQUIPMENT 



next time. Each trip will teach you a little more 

 about the things that you do and do not need. 



For stream fishing a creel is necessary; also, when 

 fishing from a canoe, or a boat not provided with a 

 fish-well, it is a good plan to use one to 

 Trout k ee p ^ ^ j n go0( j shape. A nine- 

 pound basket is amply large for the 

 average run of trout fishing. Wicker creels are the 

 best and these may be had in several styles. A leather- 

 bound creel is one of the newest productions and one 

 calculated to last a long time. A basket stained green 

 or brown looks well not that that matters much 

 and will last longer than a plain one. Be sure, at any 

 rate, to get a creel with leather cover-hinges and " pat- 

 ent fastener." With the ordinary wicker hinges the 

 cover will work loose in a short time ; and if the creel 

 has the ordinary wicker staple instead of a leather 

 and metal lock you must use a whittled plug which is 

 continually falling out and, if not tied to the basket, 

 getting lost. Have the opening in the basket-cover at 

 the end rather than in the middle. When fishing, line 

 the bottom of the creel with washed-out moss or ferns. 

 This keeps the creel cleaner and preserves the trout. 

 A nine-pound creel costs $1.25. 



The basket sling should by all means be of the style 

 that leaves the shoulder of the casting arm free. This 

 sling is known as the " new style." The strap sup- 

 porting the basket passes over the left shoulder and the 



