50 



ON THE PRACTICE OF ANGLING. 



der which they frequently lie) will alarm them, and spoil the 

 Angler's sport, &c. ; and also, when two or three anglers are 

 fishing near each other ; therefore avoid agitating the water 

 by trampling on the bank unnecessarily ; drop your baited 

 hook in the water gently, and you will kill more fish than 

 three Anglers who act differently." 



Elaine also says: " Avoid every thing that may attract the 

 attention of the fish : stand so far from the water's edge as 

 you can, and never let your shadow fall on the water. If 

 possible, take the advantage of a bush, tree, &c., completely 

 to conceal the person. When an Angler fishes near home, 

 an artificial screen of rushes, twigs, &c., may be employed 

 for that purpose. In dropping or dipping with the natural 

 fly, the greatest caution is necessary to keep completely out 

 of view of the fish ; not only the shadow of the person, but 

 that of the rod also, should be kept from falling on the water." 



The dress of the Angler is of great importance in trout 

 angling. If it be true, as before stated, that this timid inha- 

 bitant of the brook is disturbed by the least motion, certainly 

 the best means should be taken to render any motion imper- 

 ceptible. There are two colors of dress for angling, desirable 

 on different occasions. If your sport be in the summer, and lie 

 mid the brilliant green foliage of the trees, bushes, and mead- 

 ows, your dress should undoubtedly be green throughout. On 

 the contrary, should you be pleased to enjoy yourself in au- 

 tumn, when nature has changed the scene, and draped herself 

 in sober brown, the most proper uniform is a drab from top to 

 toe. A disciple of Walton, who angles on Long-Island, and 

 takes more trout than any ten sportsmen who visit that delight- 

 ful resort, is represented as standing as still as a ghost, his rod 

 extended in his hand, without any apparent motion, equipped 

 in drab pantaloons, drab vest, drab coat, and drab hat; and 

 so quiet is he in his movements, that he will take a mess of 

 trout, when a person but a few yards distant would hardly be 



