Food of the YcUoivsionc Trout 495 



several years for trout to attain a good size and weight, and the 

 angler should appreciate that it is the excessive toll he exacts that 

 prevents fish from reaching a real " fighting " size. 



Trout of large size are happily still availahle in Yellowstone Park. 

 One- or two-pounders are quite abundant in the streams, while 

 larger fish, of four and even five pounds, hide in the more inacces- 

 sible " holes " of the Yellowstone, Lamar and other rivers. But 

 these last are only for the truly elect — the sportsmen who will take 

 risks and pains for the opportunity to match their skill and wits 

 against those of the wary trout. Figures 131 to 133 show some of 

 the favorite trouting haunts in the delightful Camp Roosevelt region 

 where this particular study was made. 



Fishing in the Park is a pleasure that appeals to many of us. 

 But if that pleasure is to continue in this " nation's playground," 

 it must be limited for each of us so as to be shared by the many. 

 Unrestricted fishing — " butchery " would be the more applicable 

 word — is destructive no matter where it occurs. To preserve the 

 opportunities of the Park — indeed, of every natural resource, there 

 and elsewhere — there is needed the support of every public spirited 

 citizen. Fishing is a splendid sport, one that should remain to us 

 in the future as well as now. Truly, then, what fishing we do should 

 be in the spirit of fair play, of moderation, of consideration for 

 others, — this is the attitude of the true sportsman. 



How to Fish. — The following points may be of use to amateur 

 fishermen. They are based on the conditions noted in the first part 

 of this discussion : 



1. Stand low on the shore and cast your line far out, holding the 

 rod low. 



2. Keep moving. If the fish do not rise after a few casts, move to 

 another spot. As a rule you cannot sit still and fish successfully for 

 trout, as one does for perch or herring. Trout are not quite so stupid 

 as most other fish ; they cannot afford to be. 



3. Let your fly strike the water sharply and quickly; do not dangle 

 your bait. Trout cannot be treated like perch. They do not 

 " nibble " ; they make up their minds and strike quickly, or not at all. 



4. When the fish is hooked, play him with a steady line. Take up 

 the slack; but above all, do not jerk. The steady pull does the trick. 



5. Pull the fish well up to the shore before you ease the line. 

 Otherwise, he may manage to slip the hook and get away. 



6. Should you enter the stream, see that your shadow does not lie 

 with the current. 



