210 PLEASURES OF ANGLING. 



over a novice, except in the single act of landing 

 the fish after he strikes. Unlike fly-fishing, it 

 affords no muscular exercise, no constantly recur- 

 ring excitement, no skillful casting, no delicate 

 manipulation, and none of the thrill which follows 

 the rise and rush of the fish for the lure which 

 rests upon the surface of the water. And yet it is 

 a pleasant pastime, healthful and invigorating, af- 

 fording ample opportunity for reading and medi- 

 tation, and bringing before the eye ever-changing 

 views of the grand old mountains and forest-clad 

 valleys which constitute the attractiveness and 

 beauty of all this region. When the " grasshopper 

 shall become a burden," when " those that look out 

 of the windows shall be darkened," when "the 

 keepers of the house shall tremble," when my 

 "right hand shall forget its cunning," and when 

 1 shall no longer be able to wade the mountain 

 stream or cast a fly, if Providence shall thus gently 

 lead me homeward, I shall doubtless find delight 

 in this less robust and less exhilarating amusement. 

 But, meanwhile, I shall leave the troll to those 

 whose waning vigor, neglected education, imma- 

 ture tastes or blissful ignorance render them con- 

 tent with this primary branch of the angler's art. 



The "signs" which mark the advent of the 

 " good time " longed for through seven months of 

 weary winter and tardy spring the budding of 



