104 TROUT LORE 



baby streams are the exception; indeed, I can 

 count those with which I am acquainted upon the 

 fingers of one hand. The ordinary brooklet 

 flows through old pastures or ancient wood-lots, 

 brush-grown and obstructed with numerous snags 

 and drift, while overhanging trees, willows and 

 alders, demand a short, stiff rod. An eight-foot 

 bait-rod with reel seat below the hand is ideal, 

 for with it you can reach out over a brush or 

 snag and lift the fish skyward. That word sky- 

 ward is used advisedly. Strike quick and sharp, 

 throwing the trout upward with force. Person- 

 ally, I use a light fly-rod for all fishing, though 

 the one I employ on such a stream is only eight 

 feet long and somewhat stiff. A friend of mine 

 uses a bait casting rod six feet six inches long 

 and will have nothing else. I desire action, and 

 am willing to sacrifice a few fish in order to secure 

 it. The "Will I or will I not?" of angling has 

 always appealed to me. 



The trout of the little brooks are different 

 fish from those of broad and deep pools, or rush- 

 ing tumultuous rivers ; one may be a good fisher- 

 man upon the latter and fail utterly when court- 

 ing the brooklets. I have said elsewhere that the 

 fisher of little streams is born not made, a state- 

 ment which possesses more than a modicum of 



