138 Fly-rods and Fly-tackle. 



This device, as I have described it, was intended for 

 salmon. A much weaker and smaller spring should be 

 used for trout. 



Of course, in actual fishing, the spring of the rod, the 

 click of the reel, and the friction of the line through the 

 rings in running out all operate as safety-valves, so that 

 the fish pulls against a yielding resistance and is not 

 permitted to match its full strength against that of the 

 leader. Still, some definite knowledge of the actual 

 strength of trout is of interest, even though it need not 

 be overcome in its entirety in actual fishing. 



Therefore, a reasonably fine leader, taking into con- 

 sideration the circumstances under which it is to be 

 used, but of strictly first-class material, is recommended. 

 Test it frequently. See to it that it never be bent when 

 dry, and especially that no one step on it whether dry 

 or wet an accident quite likely to happen when mount- 

 ing the rod at the beginning, or taking it apart at the 

 conclusion of a day's fishing. 



Remember it is the large fish that exact the penalty 

 for negligence of this kind. There is no medicine for a 

 mind, stricken by such a loss and so caused. Over most 

 misfortunes time kindly draws the veil of oblivion, but 

 this wound never cicatrizes. I meet one gentleman fre- 

 quently, but never, if angling is mentioned, does he fail 

 to mourn over an eight - pounder he lost through the 

 breaking of his leader years ago. This may be because 

 of the sharp contrast any serious misfortune presents to 

 the generally unalloyed happiness of angling, but what- 

 ever is the cause, the fact remains that such mishaps 

 dwell in the recollection long after every other associated 

 incident is forgotten. 



Therefore I repeat, test your leaders carefully, and be 



