TIPS. 93 



" Come nlontj witli mo, and . . . ." 



" One minute, it may seem superfluous, but just tell these people 

 outright wliy you prefer this one little catch." 



And he hammered out an answer, hangjing with tension upon 

 every sentence, and emphasizing words by a smack on tiie deal table 

 with closed fist. " This pool must be a mystery to most. Happily 

 we have both fully passed the novice stage, passed the class of men 

 who merely trade upon tradition. We know it's useless to try to fight 

 the battle of to-day with the tools, the methods of yesterday. We 

 must fight here on a totally different policy to that of olden times. 

 No matter hcnv ii>cU a fellow is equipped, no matter licw much he 

 understands the use and effect of flies, or Iwiv ivcll he propels them, 

 here he must fail unless he is a clever student of tlie new methods. 

 The peculiarity of the situation may some day make itself felt, even 

 to the Man in the Street. The essential condition at this one spot is 

 to consider what is likely to happen. Listen ! If I get a fish at the 

 boulder, well and good. If I don't, I'll taj<e good care to stone it 

 well, for as soon as I start at the tail, some of the tenants lingering 

 there will assuredly move up. One of them, as you know, might 

 fancy the spot if it is unoccupied, and everyone knows that a fish will 

 take a proper fly directly it leaves one place and reaches another, 

 whether far or near. Of course, I don't include ' potted fisli." " 



The professor had so far plumbed the mystery for In'msclf, any 

 wn)-, and his movements were watched with intense interest. 



Avoiding hurry, he stationed himself some twenty yards above 



* Potted fish are those which, having loitered behind, are so well educated by 

 being constantly thrashed and occasionally hooked, that they will rarely rise to flies 

 or take baits of any sort. 



