A Sportsman 441 



by the time that the boat has reached a position for 

 casting over the first break, a second will be observed 

 still beyond a possible cast, presumably from the trout 

 which made the first break, and before the second 

 break can be reached a third appears still farther on, 

 and sometimes so on; and I have often followed up 

 and secured my trout which has carried me by a dozen 

 breaks and fifty or sixty rods beyond the initial 

 appearance. 



Ordinarily, if a break occurs within a few boat- 

 lengths' distance, which can be speedily reached, the 

 chances are more than half in favor of securing the fish. 

 If within casting distance the fish is almost sure of 

 being secured. 



Often breaks will occur so near the boat that nothing 

 can be done but for the stem man and caster to remain 

 motionless until the boat, if under a headway, may pass 

 on, when the chances are half in favor of the trout 

 being picked up in the rear. If the boat is still, the 

 chances of taking the trout are diminished, as the 

 motions essential to shortening line and the prox- 

 imity of the trout are likely to alarm the fish, and when 

 alarmed he invariably strikes down. Occasionally 

 the breaks are so plentiful that one may take half a 

 dozen fish without moving his boat. I remember an 

 instance a few years ago, when accompanied by an 

 English fishing friend whose experience had been 

 mostly in the dry fly drop of the Thames, where he had 

 notable success, that we caught well out on the pond 

 fourteen trout averaging nearly a pound in weight, 

 without touching the paddle to the water, and my 

 friend became exceedingly enthusiastic, which he well 

 might be. 



