THE TROUT OF THE FOAM 95 



let that pass. When the fish seek out the shal- 

 lows to bask and dream, the angler may as well 

 un joint his rod; at least take himself to other 

 portions of the brook. I have never had very 

 good luck when the fish manifested a desire to 

 contemplate the sky, and never have I taken a 

 good fish from the clear shallows with flies. 



In closing this chapter, a few words upon the 

 always interesting subject of tackle may not be 

 out of place. As to the rod, all will depend upon 

 what you fish for. If your ambition is to land 

 as many fish as possible, then secure a cane pole, 

 a la small boy, but if you fish for sport and are 

 willing to let the heavy fish go with the water, 

 down to the open pool or liberty, then employ 

 the regulation rod, the one that fits you and you 

 can handle most skilfully. I ordinarily employ 

 a rather heavy rod, of five or six ounces, because 

 a light rod will often come to grief in the stress 

 and strain of white water. Another reason for 

 using a heavy rod is that given in the preceding 

 chapter ability to make long casts and increased 

 control of hooked fish. However, truth com- 

 pels me to confess that I have courted thrills 

 by going up against white-water fish with a little 

 dandy, fairy rod of three and a half ounces; 

 never have I broken the rod but I have secured 



