DESULTORY HINTS AND MAXIMS FOR ANGLERS.
When you see "excellent trouting in a romantic mountain district" advertised in the papers, go somewhere else.
On arriving where you have reason to believe trout exist, inquire of some rural angler which are the best brooks, and fish exclusively in those he runs down.
In making a cast, throw your line as far as you can. The biggest fish are usually obtained from the long Reaches.
Never angle under a blistering sun, nor with Spanish flies.
Keep as far as possible from the brook. If the trout see you they will connect you with the rod, in which case you will find it difficult to connect them with the line.
Many anglers fish up stream, but the surest way to secure a mess of trout is with the Current.
Take some agreeable stimulant with you to the water-side. You will find it a great assistance when Reeling in.
One of the best places for obtaining the speckled prey is under a Waterfall--but you needn't mention this fact to the ladies.
When a brook divides among the trees, angle in the main stream, not in the Branches.
In playing a trout under the willows, be very careful, or you may get Worsted among the Osiers.
When you land a two-pound trout (which you never will,) double the weight, else what's the use of having a Multiplier.
If you wish to take anything heavy you must walk right into the water. The regular Sneezers are generally caught in this way.
The experienced angler goes forth expecting nothing, and is rarely disappointed.
Superstitious Piscators have great faith in the Heavenly Signs, but often fail to find a Sign of a Fish under the fishiest sign of the Zodiac.
Avoid water-courses infested with saw-mills. These dammed streams seldom contain many trout.
To jerk a fish out of the water with a wire is even more despicable than political wire-pulling.
A rod should never consist of more than three sections, and the angler should look well to his joints after a wetting, as they are apt to swell and stiffen in the Sockets.
Rise early if you would have good sport. Should you feel sleepy afterwards, the river has a Bed that you can easily get into.
Catching trout is strictly a summery pleasure, and when indulged in at any other season should be visited by Summary punishment.
There are numerous treatises on angling, but in "JOHN BROWN'S Tract" the youthful Piscator will find the best of Guides.
It often happens that trout do not begin to bite till late in the day, in which case it is advisable to make the most of the commencement de la Fin.
As the culture of fish is now engaging the attention of philanthropists, it is probable that the superior varieties will hereafter be found in Schools, where, of course, the Rod will be more profitably employed than in Whipping (under present circumstances,) "the complaining brooks that keep the meadows green."
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LOVE IN A BOARDING-HOUSE. Miss SARAH SAGOE'S boarding-house--I recommend her steaks; Two plates of pudding she allows, and--oh! what buckwheat cakes! We're all so very fond of them, (we deprecate the grease,) But we'd a greater fondness for Miss SARAH SAGOE'S niece. In heavenly blue her eyes surpassed--the milk; "her teeth were pearl." That's BROWN! Poetic genius, BROWN, (devoted to that girl.) JOE TROTT to flowers took; SAWTELL, and PETERS to croquet; GREEN thrumbed guitar; while as for me, I sighed and pined away. Not one but lost his appetite--at no less price for board. Meanwhile this heartless ARABELLE, by all of us adored, Gives out that she's to marry a rich broker from New York; We heard the news at dinner--down dropped each knife and fork. We're glad our eyes are open now, though every one's a dupe, 'Tis queer we didn't see before how she dipped up the soup; And, now I think it over, I wonder man could wish To win that hand unmerciful that so harpooned the fish. "That vulgar girl," as JOE TROTT says, "a helpmeet fine will make"-- She never failed to help herself most handsomely to steak; The pudding holds out better now that she is gone away-- And it's consolation precious that I've not her board to pay. |
