162 



Fishing in Ameeican Watbes. 



CHAPTER n. 



FLY-FISHING ON MASSAPIQUA LAKE. 

 Fly-fishing from boats or punts on ponds and lakes forms 

 a most interesting branch of the art of angling. The tackle 

 is fine, and the boat comfortable. When the pond covers not 

 more than fifty acres, the oarsman rows across fi;om side to 

 side without turning the boat, but merely changing his seat 

 and sculls ; thus the angler, at the bow when crossing first, is 

 at the stem while returning, and the oarsman continues to 

 cross and recross the water back and forth, with sufiicient lee- 

 way to prevent the water being twice' fished over. The an- 

 gler must needs be ambidexterous, for he must change hands 

 every time the water is crossed. On the trout lakes border- 

 ing the Adirondacks the boats are very light, and finely con- 

 structed of narrow and thin cedar boards, very closely braced 



