Miscellaneous Suggestions. 429 



drawn, and a cast or two fastened a male trout of three 

 pounds, which we returned to the water. 



There was one lady in camp, the only one, who had 

 accompanied her husband into the woods now for the 

 third season. He was a valued friend, the one who, per- 

 haps more than any other except myself, is responsible 

 for the existence of this book. She had taken many 

 trout with the fly, but none of over a pound weight, and 

 was very anxious to exceed that; so we left the pond 

 without further disturbing the fish, anxiously discussing 

 the possibility of getting her in there. 



By the somewhat free use of the axe, and by taking a 

 rather circuitous route it was accomplished. She cast 

 that afternoon for an hour without the slightest appar- 

 ent indication that there ever had been a trout in the 

 whole water. A heavy rain then obliged us to take her 

 out through the wet woods, without even a rise to re- 

 ward her for her trouble. I was exceedingly chagrined. 

 I had told her what we had done and what we had seen, 

 and as not the slightest doubt was entertained that our 

 success could not only be repeated but easily surpassed, 

 I had not hesitated to say so. 



Then I vowed a vow, which I commend to the care- 

 ful consideration of all anglers, old and new alike 

 never again, under any circumstances, will I recommend 

 any fishing locality in terms substantially stronger than 

 these: "At that place I have done so and so; under like 

 conditions it is believed you can repeat it." We are apt 

 to speak of a place and the sport it affords as we find it, 

 whereas reflection and experience should teach us that it 

 is seldom exactly the same, even for two successive days. 



The next afternoon was threatening, so we visited the 

 pond alone, merely intending to cast over it a little, so as 



