FISHING AS A SPORT. 95 



But though an appeal from a domestic " platform " is 

 supposed to have a greater influence on a woman than on 

 a man, our lady angler may be proof against the poet's 

 sentimentalism. Nor will she succumb, as Goethe's 

 Fisher did, if perchance a " Syren Nymph " rises from 

 the depths, and appeals to her, — 



" Why thus my watery brood 

 With lies of human statagem, 



To these death-heats delude P 

 Oh, could'st thou see how happy live 



The little fish below, 

 Thyself beneath the flood would'st dive, 



And bliss for ever know ! " 



The only difficulties I know of in reference to ladies 

 angling, are the exposure to weather and the manipulation 

 of certain baits by fair fingers ; but these may easily be 

 overcome. 



Several ladies are now well known as expert salmon 

 fishers, as the records in the Field and Land and Water 

 testify each season. Some years ago I made the acquain- 

 tance of a lady and her husband, who were staying at the 

 Sands Hotel, Slapton Lea, for jack-fishing. The lady 

 was a most enthusiastic angler, as indeed ladies always 

 are when they take to it, and it was really a treat to see 

 her in her waterproof apron spinning most artistically and 

 successfully for Esox Lucius in that famous lake. But fly- 

 fishing for trout is the most suitable angling for the fair 

 sex, though I cannot recommend their wading. Is there 

 a sport or pastime which can set a lady's figure off to 

 b.etter advantage than this ? Mr. Millais ! do let us 

 have a picture of "A Lady Trout-Fishing ! " There is 

 no one who could do this half as well as yourself ! 



