FLOATS LANDING-NETS FLIES. 11 



found, that we lost more fish by the crooked than the straight 

 hooks ; and in reference to bait, the bent part of a hook generally, 

 if the bait be worm, breaks through and seriously damages it. 

 This is the result of our own experience, and we state it for the 

 guidance and consideration of others. 



FISHING FLOATS. 



floats are necessary things in certain kinds of angling, and in 

 some particular kinds of water ; but they < are, nevertheless, as all 

 our best brethren of the craft will admit, necessary evils. We 

 feel the operation of a prejudice when we see < them in use. They 

 bring to our minds, by the power of association, the infantile or 

 youthful periods of our angling history, and when lofty and digni- 

 fied sport has been long enjoyed, it is scarcely possible to bring 

 us back to the idea that such appendages are useful. 



LANDING-NET AND GAIT. 



These things are absolutely requisite in some particular givers 

 and waters, where, owing to the nature of the banks and sides, it 

 is difficult to land large fish. When made in a portable manner, 

 so as to be carried in a fishing-basket, or creel, they prove occa- 

 sional useful adjuncts to an angler's equipment. We think them, 

 however, unnecessary articles in streams which have a broad and 

 channelly bed; and we would never recommend them in such 

 situations, for this plain reason, that the fish are easily enough 

 brought to shore from waters of this description, by any angler of 

 average skill and experience. Besides, there is more art required 

 in capturing a fish with the slight tackle of a fly-line, and landing 

 him, without any extraneous assistance. It should alwavs be 

 borne in mind, that the uncertainty and suspense connected, with 

 an angler's amusement, constitute some of the prime elements of 

 his pleasure, and ought never to be materially diminished by 

 mechanical contrivances. 



ON THE METHOD OF MAKING FLIES. 



The intelligent reader will bear in mind that all verbal or written 

 instructions on this mechanical process must necessarily be very 

 imperfect. Ely-making is just one of those delicate _ and minute 

 matters which can be learned effectually only by imitation ; rust, 

 in fact, as a man can be taught to make a shoe, a basket, a chair, 

 or a table. You will learn more in an hour by the eye, than in a 

 twelvemonth by the understanding. The best thing, therefore, a 

 young angler can do, who is anxious and ambitious to excel in this 



