198 FLY-FISHING IN MAINE LAKES. 



an art it certainly is, my gentle reader. I have yet 

 to see the scholar who could acquire proficiency in 

 painting or sculpture from books alone, or the offi- 

 cer who could manoeuvre his brigade or regiment, 

 even though he could repeat Upton's Manual from 

 cover to cover. Practice you must have, with your- 

 self at one end of the rod and a trout at the other. 

 But I can give you some idea of what imple- 

 ments to select for your outfit. First, the rod. A 

 split bamboo eleven and a half feet in length, of 

 three joints, nickel or German-silver mountings, 

 and weighing ten ounces, is my favorite ; though 

 I use lighter rods when the trout are not supposed 

 to run much over a pound in weight. Such a 

 rod, and to all appearance they have stood the 

 test for three years, can be had of Messrs. Brad- 

 ford and Anthony of Boston, for fifteen dollars, 

 with extra tip and tip-case. They are made by 

 C. R. Wheeler of Farmington, Me., and they are 

 a work of art. H. L. Leonard of Bangor, Me., 

 makes also a beautiful bamboo rod, but I think at a 

 higher cost. You should always carry a second 

 rod, and a greenheart of nine or ten ounces is a 

 reliable one. It is a good plan to change your 

 rods in fishing, resting them as it were. Do not 

 stand them on end when not in use, but lay them 

 upon wooden pins prepared for the purpose : they 



