St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-08-30

ymously with gentlemen. or does the
mantle of the gentle Walton descend
upon modern anglers and transmit the
term in Difference to his placid DISPOSE
ton? Did lZaak ever play a siX-p0und
trout on six-ounce rod and lose him, and
still preserve his gentleness? The eX-
preston is certainly open to criticism.
Fly casting for trout, salmon and bass
embodieS all that requires nerve, endur-
ance, courage and skill. As the arm of
precision, called the rifle, requires a
steady hand, quick eye ana a cool
head, so the successful fisherman, cast
ing fly or bait. using light tackle, rises
above drawing room platitudeS and
stands forth as sturdy exponent of
matchless art, who laughs at the gentle
practice Obtainable in bent pin fishing
for sunfish.
Within the past half-century angling
has come to the front as an attractive
sport, demanding the attention of the
Intelligent minds of the age. The past
decade has witnessed rapid strides in
the invention and manufacture OF appli-
ances for the skillful taking of fish.
Modern tendencies are toward luxuri-
ant outfits, and the devOtee gathers to-
gether bewildering assortment of rods
bethabara and split bamboo, light, elias
tic and symmetrical. Reels of nickel
and rubber, whose aXles turn on jew
eled bearings with the nicely Of watch
work, from single to seXtuple multi
plying power. Lines of linen and silk,
cable-laid and braided, enameled,
straight and tapered to the ineness of
horse hair. The assortment of flies is
as varying and multifarious as selection
can comprehend, requiring miniature
dictionary to bear out the classification.
Hooks, smells, creels, gaffs, landing
nets, squids, disgorgers, minnow pals.
Wading pants and boats. swell the list of
impedimenta necessary to a complete
equipment, which is governed entirely by
the tastes and bank account Of the en-
thusiast. Clergymen, lawyers, polltl-
clans, financierS, merchants and artisans
all go a-fishing, while state legislatures,
recognizing the popularity of the sport,
have bent their energies towards formu-
lating and enacting laws seeking to
keep up the fish supply.
While hunting seems to stimulate the
qualities supposed necessary in war,
angling tends towards the development
of the qualifications incident to times of
peace. Modern philosophers have as
serted that fishing develops the moral
faculties. This may be true How
ever. anglers will accept the state
ment with some surprise in view
of the annual batch of fish
romances that are dealt out With
unspariug volubiiity. Without further
discussion of the subject, it seems that
fishing possesses a charm attracting
both the wisest as well as the most care
less minds. The close season fills
dual place, in not only preventing de-
struction of fish during the breeding
seasons. but it further restricts the
tendency in man to make widely eX-
tended holidays. To seek the trout
among mountain streams, or the black
bass among lacustrine retreats, is to i'm
bibe refi eshing draughts from natures
fount, which, if tempered in quantity
and quality, build up the physical and
mental constitution. infuse a healthful
vigor. and fit one for grasping the more
serious problems of life.
HENRY l.. STRoBRIDGE.
st. Paul, Aug. %. 1891.