PREFACE. 



As it might not be deemed kind in me to inflict upon the 

 reader my thousand reasons for writing and illustrating this 

 book with pencil sketches copied from life, 1 will therefore 

 merely state that my experience of many years in the prac- 

 tice of the gentle art, which has led me through so many 

 scenes of beauty and loveliness, has made , me wish that 

 all the world might learn the enjoyment conferred by the 

 practice of angling. 



.1 have endeavored to portray the recreations of the an- 

 gler in America, with his implements and his game ; add- 

 ing a small tribute to the temperate and industrious class 

 of men who follow for a livelihood the hazardous business 

 of fishing on the broad seas. 



An outline of the progress of fish-cultiu'e in Europe and 

 America is also given, with pencil sketches illustrative of 

 the art of hatching and rearing fishes, including stairs and 

 fish-passes for enabling fishes to ■ surmomit mill-dams and 

 falls. 



The fishes of our coast and estuaries, and' the peculiar 

 methods adopted for their capture, form not only a sealed 

 book to Europeans, but to those anglers in America also 

 who confine their . recreartions to fresh-water attractions. 

 Each game fish affords a distinct interest, with peculiarities 

 worth studying. 



My sketches may lack artistic finish, but possess the 

 merit of correct outline; and in the words of Raphael, 

 " The outline is the picture." The reader may be assured 

 that fishing, whether for recreation or gain, entices its vo- 

 taries to imexplored sources of revenue and pleasure. 



