Angling is such a popular recreation that professors of the gentle
craft are to be found amongst all classes and conditions of the _Genus
homo_. The disciples of glorious old Izaack--is not their name Legion?
In early youth, fascinated with the capture of the tiny Minnow or
glittering Gudgeon, the youthful Tyro is known in after years as the
expert Salmon and Trout fisher. To become a really expert angler,
requires a good deal of energy, perseverance, and activity, accompanied
by a suitable amount of patience and ingenuity. In the fourth chapter
of Waverly are the following observations, "that of all diversions
which ingenuity ever devised for the relief of idleness, fishing is the
worst qualified to amuse a man, who is at once indolent and impatient,
such men's Rods are quickly discarded." My advice to those who are
desirous of enjoying "the contemplative man's recreation," is that they
undergo a probationary course, under the guidance of a competent
professor. Three or four days of diligent observation employed in
watching the manual operations of an instructor, would go far towards
giving them a pretty good idea of how to set about catching a Trout
with either fly or bait; indeed much more so than any written or oral
instruction could convey. In fact if they are attentive spectators,
they may soon acquire a fund of useful practical information, with
which they may commence angling with a fair chance of success. Theory
may be very good, but practice is much better, and will only make the
complete angler. Good Rods, superb Flies, and the best of all kinds of
tackle are of little use, if any, in the hands of a person who has not
previously acquired some notion as to the proper application of them.
Doubtless many a sanguine aspirant to piscatory fame, has, after an
expensive outlay at a tackle shop, been grieviously disappointed when
trying his luck in a celebrated Trout stream,--he discovers to his
intense disgust and mortification, that the fish will "not come and be
killed." Probably, and indeed most likely, he throws down his rod,
votes fishing a bore,
"Chews the cud of bitter disappointment o'er,
Has fished his first and last, and so will fish no more."
The manual part of angling is one thing, the commanding success
another, the latter cannot be effected to any extent without the
sacrifice of time, perseverance and attention. It is however quite
probable that a man may be quite happy and satisfied by the capture of
a very small number of Trouts during a day's fishing, and I strongly
advise all beginners to follow so excellent an example, waiting
patiently "the good time coming." Observe, that fishing in a low water,
where an angler has just preceded you, is the _ne plus ultra_ of doing
worse than nothing; by wading in a low water the fish are so scared
that they take to their holds, and probably remain there for some
hours.