Flies and salt-water fsh. Top to bottom: channel bass, bluefah, 

 salt-water trout, snook, mangrove snapper, and ladyfish. 



And today more than 3,000 fishermen make the venture with 

 one thought in mind bonefish on a fly rod. Is this true?" 



"Yes, indeed." 



"And now, Mr. Splaine, tell the court if you get a thrill from 

 salt-water fishing with your fly rod." 



The witness has been hoping for this question. He replies with 

 such superlative affirmation that the court resounds to cries of 

 "Hear! Hear!" and "Bravo!" There are no dissenting voices. 

 The judge wallops the bench with his gavel, but it is more 

 congratulatory than punitive. 



In fact, the judge beams. He shows partisanship. He beguiles 

 the court and himself with an anecdote of fly fishing for sea 

 trout near Sebastian Inlet on the Indian River, Florida. Before 



45 



