8 Wet-Fly Fishing 



its retrospect in old age ; and what more 

 do you want ? 



I feel inclined now to speak of the 

 " poaching angler," who fills his creel by 

 unfair methods. But is he worth writing 

 about ? I think not ! He despises himself, 

 and I am of opinion that, in so doing, 

 he places a just estimate upon his own 

 character. We will, therefore, let him 

 severely alone, only hoping that, by degrees, 

 he may be improved off the face of the 

 earth. 



In " The Incomplete Angler,'* by F. C. 

 Burnand, are a few lines which, I think, 

 enable me to end my introductory remarks 

 pleasantly. 



" For you must know that a proficient 

 can catch as good a fish as swims with 

 a fine line from one of the poets, if he 

 be but careful to let it fall with bated 

 breath." 



What wet or dry fly man can do 

 more ? 



January 1, 1903. 



DEAB TOD, 



"You have asked me to read 

 this Introduction to your book the com- 

 pletion of which I shall rejoice to see and 



