THE TROUT. 
77 
and in landing of a fish, which every one that can afford to 
angle for pleasure has somebody to do for him.* And the 
length of line is a mighty advantage to the fishing at a dis- 
tance ; and to fish fine and far off, is the first and principal 
rule for trout angling. Your line in this case should never be 
less thau one, nor ever exceed two hairs, next to the hook ; 
for one (though some, I know, will pretend to more art than 
their fellows) is indeed too few, the least accident, with the 
finest hand, being sufficient to break it; but he that cannot 
kill a trout of twenty inches long with two, in a river clear of 
wood and weeds, deserves not the nara$ of a true angler. 
“ Now, to have your linet as it ought to be, two of the 
finest lengths nearest the hook should be of two hairs a-piece ; 
the next three lengths above them of three ; the next three 
above them of four ; and so of five, and six, and seven, to the 
very top ; by which means your rod and tackle will in a 
manner taper from your very hand to your hook ; your line 
will fall much better and straighter, and cast your fly to any 
certain place to which the hand and eye shall direct it, with 
less weight and violence, than would otherwise circle the 
water and fright away the fish. 
“ In casting your line, do it always before you, and so that 
your fly may first fall upon the water, and us little of your 
line with it as possible ; though if the wind be stiff, you will 
of necessity be compelled to drown a good part of your line 
to keep your fly under water. And iri casting your fly you 
must aim at the farther or nearer bank, as the wind serves 
* This is the method of fishing without a reel, nod with very fine hair 
lines, mostly practised in Cotton’s day. We hardly think that ovory 
body in Republican America, that can afford to fish for pleasure, has 
an attendant to land his fish for him ! 
t This mode is given for the benefit of those who live in the country, 
are obliged to make their own lines, and find it necessary to fish with- 
out a reel. 
