60 The American Salmon-fisherman. 



No touch of remorse then embitters the misfortune. At 

 times when the line fouls on some rock or snag, and a 

 freshly fastened fish can put forth his strength against 

 an unyielding resistance, no single leader can withstand 

 the strain. But except under such or similar circum- 

 stances, a leader which has borne a test of eight pounds 

 will not be found at fault should the fish escape. 



" Of all sad words of tongue or pen, 



The saddest are these: It might have been!" 



These well-known lines apply with as much force to 

 salmon-fishing as to any other phase of man's life. 



Some seek to avoid this result by the use of braided or 

 twisted leaders of many strands. I do not believe in it. 

 The result should not be assured, or skill and promptness 

 of resource are eliminated, and angling ceases to be sport 

 in the proper sense of the term. It is like shooting at a 

 sitting bird. But there is another consideration of equal 

 moment. The young and foolish among fishes, as among 

 men, are easily led astray by temptation. But the patri- 

 archs and these are the objects of the true angler's pur- 

 suit are more prone to look before they leap. 



Upon one occasion when a run of large fish were on 

 the ground, I lost two fine fellows through the fouling of 

 the line. In both cases the leader was broken. I was 

 anxious to take a large fish the next day to ship to a 

 friend in a distant city. That it should be done on that 

 day was of importance, since otherwise it could not be 

 sent through without lying over Sunday on the way; 

 while if I waited till the next week the large fish might 

 have passed on up the river. An English gentleman of- 

 fered me the use of a braided leader. I must do him the 



