FISHING FOR TROUT AND SALMON. 147 



tsreams where the fish are small and long casts are the ex- 

 ception the lightest and shortest fly rods may be used. For 

 lake fishing the longer rods are best, but they should be 

 reasonably light. For large streams where long casts must 

 be made and where the fish are large a good weight fly 

 rod of medium length is best. The light rod demands a 

 light line, say size F or G enameled silk, and size E is 

 used for all ordinary rods, for the heavier line casts better. 

 The leader should be of six foot length, single gut. Heavier 

 leaders may be used in swift water than in lakes or ponds. 

 In some parts of the East, for instance in Pennsylvania, 

 trout are found only in small mountain streams. Here the 

 brush overhang, and fly casting is impossible and almost 

 unknown. Likewise, playing the fish is not practicable, and 

 as the fish are very small, seldom more than a foot long, 

 they are usually lifted bodily from the water. For this rather 

 stiff fly rods and very fine lines of oiled silk or enameled silk 

 are used. The line need not be long, and the reel is used 

 only for lengthening and shortening the line, as required. 



White leaders are commonly used, but many prefer what 

 is known as "mist" color, a pale bluish-gray tint. In case 

 you desire to color a white leader, you can give it a bluish 

 color by soaking it in water to which a little common writing 

 ink has been added, or it may be given a yellowish color by 

 soaking in strong coffee. 



Now when it comes to selecting flies, I cannot give much 

 advice, for there are so many different patterns and the 

 requirements are so different in the various waters. Time 

 of year and weather conditions must also be considered. I 

 would advise the prospective fisherman to consult some friend 

 who is acquainted with the waters in which he is expecting 

 to fish, and no doubt he will find some person who can tell 

 what flics to select for those streams. They run in all 

 colors and combinations of colors imaginable and each is 

 known by a formiable name. A good general rule, univer- 



