ANGLING CAKD. 43 



a defective memory, and there have only to be selected 

 on each occasion such things as may be needed ; but on 

 going upon an extended tour, where a variety of fishing 

 may be anticipated, I generally take either the whole 

 or the greater part of the articles enumerated, when, 

 with some appearance of reason, I consider myself 

 equipped for anything, from pitch and toss to trout- 

 slaughter. 



Every sportsman about to try his skill on strange 

 waters ought to be provided with a varied and extensive 

 assortment of tackle of all kinds, colours, and sizes, to 

 suit all occasions and every variety of circumstances ; and 

 1 would enforce upon the angler the advantage of being 

 able to dress his own flies, and fit up his own tackle, so 

 as to provide himself with what is necessary upon any 

 occasion ; as it will give him an immeasurable advantage 

 over those who cannot do so, besides the increased grati- 

 fication which every true sportsman feels in success- 

 fully using tackle of his own manufacture and con- 

 trivance. For my part, I attach twice the value to 

 every fish brought to creel by a fly of my own dressing, 

 that I do to those killed with a bought one. While, if 

 the angler is an adept in this line, he can at any time 

 alter or adapt his arrangements to suit circumstances ; 

 while on the other hand, he w^ould be compelled to plod 

 on, nolens volens, with such as the dealer thought fit to 

 put into his hands, be they ever so far from what they 

 ought to be. 



