102 FISHING TACKLE 



tests, he is sure to learn something new and 

 worth while in reference to fishing; for the ang- 

 ler, it must be conceded, never grows too old to 

 learn. 



At every casting tournament that I have 

 attended and I am sure that they were repre- 

 sentative ones half of those present were not 

 contestants, but anglers who were drawn to 

 those affairs because of the excellent opportun- 

 ity offered to " talk fishing " with their fellows. 

 In other words, to pick up information; to ex- 

 change ideas; to arrange future excursions to 

 waters near or far. I know dozens of these 

 men, who never cast, yet who are regular at- 

 tendants, and mighty good judges of casting 

 and of rods and tackle as well. And they claim 

 that they learn something at every visit. 



This defense of casting as a sport or game is 

 made because it is sometimes ridiculed by those 

 who have never considered the matter in the 

 proper light, yet who would probably admit 

 that, in order to become an expert game shot, 

 it is necessary for one to practice at the target. 

 You can hunt game with the rifle, and fish for 

 {rout with the fly-rod, without practice, but in 

 both instances horse sense will show that it is 

 better to attain proficiency through practice 

 than to chuck and chance it without. 



