62 THe Determined Angler 



They must be small and finely made, high-priced goods. 

 I wish I might tell you who to have make them, but I 

 dare not, lest I be charged with advertising a particu- 

 lar house. Regarding the patterns to use, I will say 

 that none are more killing than the general list, if 

 they are the best made and used according to the old 

 rule all are familiar with dark colors on cold days and 

 bright ones on warm days. The later the season the 

 louder the fly that is, when the season closes during 

 hot weather, as it does in Canadensis. My favorite 

 time here is from June I5th to July I5th, the closing 

 day, but any time after the first two weeks of the open 

 season is very charming. I avoid the first week or 

 two because the weather is then cold and the trout are 

 more fond of natural bait than the artificial fly. Men 

 take hundreds of fish early in the season with worms 

 and minnows. 



I never wear rubber boots to wade in. An old pair 

 of heavy-soled shoes with spikes in their bottoms, and 

 small slits cut in the sides to let the water in and out, 

 and a pair of heavy woolen socks comprise my wading 

 footwear. The slits must not be large enough to let in 

 coarse sand and pebbles, but I find it absolutely 

 necessary to have a slight opening, for if there be no 

 means for the water to run freely in and out, the shoes 

 fill from the tops and become heavy. Rubber boots 

 are too hot for my feet and legs, while the water is 

 never too cold. I have often had wet feet all day, and 

 have never yet experienced any ill effects from it. 



I never use a staff in wading, but I should, for here 

 in some places it is very hard to wade. I have often 

 fallen down in water up to my waist, overbalanced by 

 the heavy current, where the bottoms were rough, 

 with sharp, slimy stones. If you carry a staff, follow 



