AND AMERICAN RURAL SPORTS. 
115 
And when the twilight with a blush 
Upon her cheek, moves by, 
And evening’s universal hush 
Spreads o’er the darkening sky, 
And flickeringly the tapers burn 
In villages far away, 
Then from the lonely stream I turn 
And from the forests gray. 
It is not easy to determine whether there is more real 
pleasure to be derived from the angle or the gun. Some 
persons are captivated by the stirring excitement of the 
one, for whom all the quiet and unobtrusive fascination of 
the other has no charm. But perhaps in most cases it is 
true that the hand which is familiar with the gun can 
wield a skilful rod. The same person who will patiently, 
(nay joyfully) sustain the fatigue of the chase, in the woods 
or on the sea-shore, with a heavy gun across his arm, will 
also take delight in following the route of the running 
stream, although he has to wade “up to his knees in wa- 
ter.” In both occupations he receives equal and exquisite 
pleasure; his mind is amused, his bodily strength is in- 
creased, his slumber is profound and refreshing, he rises 
with a liberal and merry heart, and the depressing cares 
and anxieties that prey upon most slothful minds and 
bodies, never venture to invade him. He is social and 
happy, and passes through the world like one who is con- 
tented to enjoy it as it is, without indulging in vain and 
wicked repinings, because it is no better. 
That picture of the angler! suspended over the door of 
our good friend Bradley, how often has it enticed me into 
the purchase of that fishing and shooting gear so dear to a 
Sportsman’s heart, so ineffably dear to his purse. I never 
pass that tempting bait without casting a longing and wistful 
glance at the various implements and appliances of fishing 
craft and shooting craft displayed at the window with such 
a prodigal and judicious care, and I long to possess them 
all, and hasten away with them “ to the mountain’s brow,” 
or the forest’s heart, or the ocean’s border. Behold, the 
golden profusion! the priceless wealth! exceeding in value 
the Indian pearl, or barbaric gold. Here are rows of po- 
lished hooks, comprehending all shapes and sizes, from that 
which will conquer the biggest fin that cleaves the waters 
around Nahant or Nantasket, to that which is suited to 
the gills of the smallest minnow that sparkles in the pool. 
Here is an angling creel of snow white twigs, woven per- 
haps by still whiter hands; here the firm net-work of the 
game-bag: the water-proof drinking flask — the copper 
powder flask — the transparent horn — the double shot-belt 
— the landing net — the gut, hair, grass, and silk lines, 
buoys of all colours, jointed rods tapering into an almost 
invisible point, trolling winches, and an endless variety 
of gimp, tackle, and artificial flies, of most captivating 
brilliancy. 
There has been much controversy among our brother 
anglers, in regard to the best bait for taking both brook 
and salmon trout. We have often tried the artificial fly, 
but without any extraordinary success. In fact, unless 
you are fortunate enough to select the fly of the proper co- 
lour and species, you will fail in all your attempts. After 
many unsuccessful experiments, we have been obliged to 
resort to the old-fashioned worm bait. In autumn, when 
clouds of grasshoppers swarm in the meadows, one of that 
long-legged gentry proves to be a very killing bait. The 
white or green worm, however, (the red has not sufficient 
tenacity,) if skilfully attached to the hook, may be relied 
on as not inferior to all others. It is best to thrust two of 
them upon the hook, taking care to leave bare its tip. One 
end of each worm should be suffered to hang loosely from 
the hook, that by its motion it may have the appearance of 
life. If you do not suffer the fish to gorge this bait, it will 
serve you on many trials. It requires long and careful 
practice, to enable an angler to cast his line with skill and 
precision. “ The common practice is to go to the head of 
the stream or the pool, and to allow the bait to make its 
way before you, downwards, till it be caught by some 
watchful eye, and lodged in some unhappy jaw. But in 
this case you always pull against the stream, and conse- 
quently you more than double the resistance; besides, as 
all fish catch any bait floating downwards with their heads 
turned against the current, it is ten to one but after your 
bait has been almost as far home in the stomach of the 
trout, as Jonah was in that of the whale, the trout may 
open his mouth, and allow you to free him of so inconve- 
nient a meal. Now, instead of fishing with the bait doion 
a small mountain stream, fish up it; keep a pretty long 
line, and continue constantly pulling it out and throwing it 
in; thus, even suppose there is not a single fish in the stream 
or in the pool which may have the least intention to swal- 
low, many will have a great inclination to look at, to nib- 
ble at, and tamper with this danger. During all this float- 
ing and circling, during all this nibbling and dallying, you 
will observe that the trout still keep, in this mode of fish- 
ing, betwixt your hook and you; and, accordingly, when- 
ever you choose to call home your hook with a sudden 
jerk, you have a great chance to come round some fellow’s 
jaws, or across his breast, who had no intention to swallow. 
You must however remember, while practising this me- 
thod, to have a strong line and rod, which will bend 
down almost to your hand, for, in order to accomplish 
your purpose you are compelled to draw so powerfully 
that should you hit upon a root or stone your tackle will 
be in danger of giving way. It is very difficult to pro- 
