442 MANUAL FOB YOUNG SPORTSMEN. 



BAIT is TAKEN. Should there be much wind, thirty-five 

 yards of line is sufficient to run out if calm, say forty-five 

 or fifty. When a fish is felt, the tip of the rod should be 

 eased off, or given to the fish, in order that he have time to 

 take hold ; then give a good surge of the rod, and you will 

 rarely miss striking him. Should you be fishing with two 

 rods, which is almost always the case, pass the other rod to 

 the oarsman. Never give the fish an inch, unless by actual 

 compulsion; invariably keep him in hand feel him at a 

 distance, but still be kind and gentle, not rude or rough. 

 Do not show the gaff until you know that the fish is " used 

 up ; " if a small fish, run the net under him ; and if the 

 fish is spent or exhausted, he will fall into it ; but if he 

 shows life, draw him over the net. If a large fish, use the 

 gaff, which pass under him, with the point downwards ; 

 then turn it up inside, and strike as near the shoulder as 

 possible. I say shoulder instead of tail. 



I believe that I have now done with this branch ; but 

 let me say, that no good troller uses lead or sinker of any 

 kind. I have seen it used, but used to the destruction of 

 sport and tackle. Sinkers carry the hooks to the bottom, 

 and there you stick either to root or rock. 



When trolling, you take, on the average, more fine 

 brook trout than lake trout. I think that two to one 

 is correct. 



One word as to the sporting quality of the lake 

 trout. The nine pound and a quarter trout, before 

 mentioned, may perhaps be an exception ; but I do affirm, 

 that the lake trout is a fish of game, spirit, and en- 

 durance. 



