TROUT OF THE DEAD-WATER 87 



depending upon the character of the rod. The 

 size of the line has nothing to do with the size 

 of the fish; even the smallest enameled line will 

 hold any trout that ever swam; rather the line 

 should be selected with an eye to ease in casting. 

 All else being equal, the larger the line, the easier 

 it will be to lay the flies. In the matter of leader 

 I differ with most authorities, seldom using over 

 a four-foot gut, where those who know advise 

 six. 



The flies should be selected with circumspec- 

 tion, though I am inclined to believe that more 

 depends upon the handler than upon the size of 

 hooks. Two flies should be employed, the end 

 fly of a more striking color, so that it will stand 

 out in the semi-gloom of a well-shaded pool. Do 

 not think that a large-sized hook should be se- 

 lected because you are fishing for large fish; nine 

 times out of ten, the smaller the hook, the more 

 attractive the lure. Let size eight be your larg- 

 est hook, but have a supply of smaller so that 

 should No. 8 prove unavailing you can fall back 

 upon your reserves. The usual patterns should 

 be employed, and "light flies for dark days: dark 

 flies for bright days" is the old rule. On a Wis- 

 consin stream much fished by me I have found 

 black flies; such as black gnat, black hackle and 



