4:0 THE AMERICAN TROUT. 



head Lake, where he will still find comfort in a rougher 

 way, and wonderful good sport ; or he may boldly strike 

 out into the trackless woods, commit himself to his birch 

 canoe and trusty guide, and then, if he be made of the 

 right stuff, I promise him such happiness as he will never 

 forget merry innocent days and dreamless nights, 

 health in every limb, and contentment in his mind. 



There is no fish more difficult to catch, nor that gives 

 the true angler more genuine sport than the trout. His 

 capture requires the nicest tackle, the greatest skill, the 

 most complete self-command, the highest qualities of 

 mind and body. The arm must be strong that wields 

 the rod ; the eye true that sees the rise ; the wrist quick 

 that strikes at the instant; the judgment good, that selects 

 the best spot, the most suitable fly, and knows just how 

 to kill the fish. A fine temper is required to bear up 

 against the loss of a noble fish, and patient perseverance 

 to conquer ill luck. 



Hence it is that the fisherman is so proud of his basket 

 of a dozen half-pound trout, he feels that any one more 

 awkward or less resolute could not have done so well. 

 He feels conscious that he does not owe his success to 

 mere luck, but has deserved the glory. He feels that 

 he has elevated himself by the very effort. Do not sup- 

 pose I mean that there is no skill in other fishing ; 

 there is in all, even in catching a minnow for bait, but 

 most of all in trout-fishing. 



