86 FISHING TACKLE 



Tournament casting is largely a game, but it 

 teaches many useful things. For example, the 

 fly-fisher may supply himself with the finest 

 of tackle, but if he lacks coolness and self-con- 

 trol, he may lose his largest trout by striking 

 too hard or playing it roughly in his impatience : 

 but if he knows exactly how to cast his fly, 

 the strength of his leader, the limitations of 

 his rod, etc., the battle is half won when the 

 trout is hooked, for he feels confident and cool. 



On the other hand, no matter how skillful he 

 may be in fly-fishing, let him take part for the 

 first time in a club contest, and his stream-ac- 

 quired skill will avail little, for he will find him- 

 self casting at a terrific rate, tying leader and 

 line in knots, and doing everything but nice 

 casting. Instead of laughing at him, however, 

 the other contestants will praise him for one 

 thing and offer a suggestion concerning another. 

 Following these, he will be surprised to find his 

 confidence returning, and the next time he tries 

 to cast he will feel less timid and forget that he 

 is being watched. Interest in the pastime will 

 increase, and presently he will find that his in- 

 terest in fishing is growing, and that it, too, pre- 

 sents allurements that he never thought of be- 

 fore. 



There is not much that can be done during 



