434 Fly-rods and Fly-tackle. 



see trout so large, all the way from six up to seven and 

 a half pounds. But you may be morally certain if that 

 fish is not so hog-backed as to amount to obvious ab- 

 solute deformity, and does not measure over 22 inches 

 in length, that it does not fairly weigh as much as five 

 pounds. 



That fishing with the fly is not in greater favor as a 

 ladies' amusement is matter for regret. Where the use 

 of a boat is practicable, there is no earthly reason why 

 they should not derive the same mental, moral, and phys- 

 ical benefit from it as do men. It is a gentle pursuit, 

 and a cleanly, and affords an ample field for the exercise 

 of that manual delicacy and skill for which women are 

 pre-eminent ; while at the same time, unlike almost every 

 other out-of-door sport, no great muscular exertion is 

 required, nor over fatigue incurred. 



Whether the ladies really have their fair share of the 

 amusements of life may well be questioned. 



It is a mistake on their part if they suppose that gen- 

 tlemen think them in the way at such times, always pro- 

 vided they are reasonable. Some there are, as full of 

 whims as an egg is full of meat, whose sole aim and ob- 

 ject seem to be to keep half a dozen men skipping about 

 on frivolous errands. Excluding such from the enumera- 

 tion, men, not of vicious tastes and habits, have, to put 

 it mildly, not the slightest objection to the companion- 

 ship of ladies in any out-of-door amusement in which 

 they are physically qualified to take part ; nor will it be 

 other than a pleasure to any angler to afford them all 

 necessary assistance and instruction. 



I have seen several ladies accompany their husbands 

 to, and take part in fly-fishing. Could they and their 



