Teouting on Long Island. 157 



quite recent invention, and imported by our principal fishing- 

 tackle houses. A cape of water-proof silk may be carried in 

 the. pocket, and put on as a protection to the shoulders in 

 case of a shower, as it is nof too warm and does not impede 

 casting. 



Trouting on Long Island is the most artistic angling that 

 I have ever seen practiced, either in Europe or America. The 

 trout there appear to have learned to detect many of the an- 

 gler's artifices. Fly-fishing is there practiced near the estu- 

 aries of streams, where they are influenced by the tides, so 

 that in flood tide the fisher begins below and casts along as 

 the tide makes, as far up the stream as the trout feed ; and 

 when the tide turns, the angler fishes along down with the 

 tide and the feeding fish. There being little protection to 

 veil the angler from the tenants of the stream, it is necessary 

 that he keep far back from the bank, which necessitates long 

 casts, and frequently the first intimation which the angler 

 receives of a bite is the gushing and slapping rise of the fish, 

 and the tremulously nervous resistance at- the end of his line; 

 then approaches the play and the contest, when light — but 

 finely-constructed — tackle tells. Deftly and gingerly are the 

 words, for Long Island trout are not to be trifled with. The 

 rod should be permitted to do its duty, and the angler be 

 neither impatient nor excited. Anglei's who have never vis- 

 ited Long Island are comparatively innocent of the real zest 

 of trouting ; for, without being annoyed with stinging and 

 biting flies, the trout are as large and as free from rust or the 

 eflfects of discolored water^g as are those of the estuaries on 

 the coast of Maine or along the Gulf of St. Lawrence. On 

 the island they run from a quarter to three pounds in weight, 

 sometimes more, and are in the highest state of succulent ad- 

 iposity. The climate is charming, surroundings most invit- 

 ing, hotels where good cheer greets the sportsman through- 

 out the year. I love Long Island, and venerate its trout 

 streams. / 



