190 Fisnine is Amertcan WATERS. 
The above pastoral was contributed by a clergyman who 
is as eloquent in the pulpit as he is persuasive along the 
streams. The disciples were fishermen. 
The bait-rod should be a little heavier and longer than the 
fly-rod. I prefer one not less than fifteen feet in length, 
formed of four joints, the top one lancewood; and in place 
of rings, I prefer guides of aluminum. A click multiplier is 
the best reel. In angling a stream of tangled brush margin, 
it may be fished without the bottom joint by tying on the 
reel; and in carrying the rod through brambles, it is best to 
unjoint, leaving the line and reel on when the distance is only 
from one trout pool to another, or not more thana mile. The 
bait-fisher is much more eager in pursuit of his game than is 
the fly-fisher. He threads his way through thorns and bram- 
bles that appear impenetrable to any one but a bait-fisher. 
He prefers to wade the stream if it be not too deep, but he 
permits nothing to prevent him from fishing all the pools. 
Tle generally prefers to fish down stream, and if he discovers 
fresh tracks of an angler gone before, he will either endeavor 
most adroitly to get before him, or he will fish so slow as to 
let the trout recover from the fright caused from the disturb- 
ance of the waters by the angler ahead of him. In the mean 
time the foremost angler is continually on the alert to see 
that no one gets before him on the stream; but if he suspects 
an attempt to outflank him, he pretends to reel up and pre- 
pare for home, when in reality he is only putting up his tackle 
to make a long detour and arrive at the stream at a greater 
distance below his adversary. The bait-fisher does not—like 
the fly-fisher—fish all the stream, but knows how to judge 
where the trout lic in wait for bait. The fly-fisher often 
takes them from the shallow reefs before they seek their hid- 
ing-places, where the bait-fisher finds them. Bait-fishing 1s, 
of all field-sports, the parent of more patience and eager per- 
severance than any other. 
