ON RAPID STREAMS. 13 



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another, as to what method is most suitable to 

 our field of operations ; let us not be biassed or 

 limited in our attempts by the authoritative and 

 often too positive assertions of others, but rather 

 having formed our own notions on correct and 

 just grounds, let us bring them early into practice 

 and strive to steer a course as free and indepen- 

 dent as the right knowledge of a subject demands ; 

 we shall then be better able to judge of what 

 others say, to refute their errors, and profit by 

 their experience and statements when they have 

 been justly and reasonably considered. A de- 

 termination to comprehend fully the habits of the 

 trout, to observe for himself and reason from his 

 observations independently of all rules and dicta- 

 torial assertions of others, will inspire the young 

 fisherman with an interest and ardour, patience 

 and perseverance, which must inevitably make 

 him speedily celebrated in his Art; but to go 

 to the water's edge full in his mind of what others 

 say of the manner in which a fly must be cast (for 

 example) the time for its being put on, the length 

 of line, collar, and rod, and I know not how many 

 other particularities, without any idea of the 

 reason why such must be, will inevitably ere many 

 hours have passed bring disappointment to his 

 hopes and disgust at the want of success which he 

 so soon complains of; he takes his rod in hand 

 for the purpose of trying in practice what others 

 have stated concerning the subject, but we well 

 know the impossibility of any one, however well 

 versed in rhetoric, conveying to the mind of those 



