38 FISH : THEIR HABITS AND HAUNTS. 



of the float is seen above the water, unless 

 the water be very rough from wind or a 

 rapid current ; in which case something more 

 of the float must swim above the water. 

 The porcupine-quill is a favorite float with 

 some anglers, 'but for a moderate stream a 

 swan-quill is preferable. 



A landing-net may be purchased which 

 will unscrew from a socket in the handle, 

 into which socket a gaff or hook for landing 

 salmon, pike, and large trout may also be 

 screwed, and both net and gaff may be car- 

 ried in the basket or creel till the river side 

 is reached. The handle should be four or 

 five feet long. 



Fly-Fishing. 



Fly-fishing is certainly the most pleasant 

 kind of angling, and it has many advantages 

 over every other mode. In the first place, 

 the apparatus is light and portable ; for with 

 a slight rod twelve feet long (or, if for a nar- 

 row and wooded stream, one of ten feet only 



