183 



cannot pull as much as half his dead weight out of it, and 

 under the pliancy of the rod does not exert one fifth as 

 much force ; so that even a fine trout leader which will 

 not sustain two pounds, direct pull, will kill a fish of 

 many times that weight, if scientifically managed. In 

 giving these estimates of resistances, we would say they 

 were tested by spring balances to which the lines were 

 tied, and as the rupture always occurred at the knots, it is 

 probable we have somewhat understated the strength of 

 the materials. 



It must be understood that in this part of this work we 

 are not writing for mere novices, and we presume that 

 the reader has mastered the rudiments of the anglers art, 

 and has had more or less practice. We put forward such 

 hints and suggestions as our experience has taught us to 

 believe, even good fishermen have not always noticed, 

 and which if acted on, will tend to perfect the perform- 

 ance of those who have passed the stage of mere beginners 

 and desire to hold the rank of adepts. Our directions 

 will not be extended, and will not cover the simplest fish- 

 ing rules or maxims, but will be confined to what may be 

 regarded rather as finishing touches with reference to 

 whatever is new, and not mentioned by other writers, 

 with perhaps a few other ideas that are peculiarily our 

 own. 



