314 Fly-rods and Fly-tackle. 



than a comrade influence your angling conduct, except 

 it be to put forth your very best skill. This everlasting 

 trying to beat some one is the bane of angling. I have 

 never, in a somewhat extended fishing experience, seen 

 the spirit of competition step in, but that at the same 

 time all that was generous all that was best in the 

 sport of angling stepped out. 



And should you be more successful than others, never 

 show the slightest sign of triumph, but give your suc- 

 cess the benefit of the doubt, and, at least to them, at- 

 tribute it to luck. Though skill is a most potent factor 

 in fly-fishing, luck pure and simple has still a place 

 therein. 



Some years ago a number of experienced anglers 

 hammered away by the hour over some large fish at 

 Rangely-Outlet, with never a rise. A lad about sixteen, 

 who had never cast a fly before that day, came along 

 with his guide and began to perform after the manner 

 of the beginner. Discouraged, at length, he turned to 

 speak to his guide, allowing his fly to sink idly through 

 the water, looked back just in time to see it taken by a 

 trout, struck, fastened it, and with the aid of his guide 

 landed a good eight-pounder. I have heard fickle Dame 

 Fortune railed at before and since, but never with more 

 fervor than during that evening. 



On the other hand, be not too severe upon yourself 

 should one you think your inferior in skill meet with 

 better success. A mediocre angler familiar with the 

 water will not infrequently, for a time, take more fish 

 than a really skilled stranger. 



NOVICE. One last question I would like to ask. Can 

 you suggest a metirocl to repair an angler's morals after 

 he has lost a large fish ? 



