The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-23
WITH ROD ANp GUN.

A week from tomorrow, the first of April.
the trout season IN Rhode ISLAND opens and
ali that is essential to make 10 an ideal day
for the anglers of speckled beauties is a good
warm rain storm and several days OF genuine
spring weather. 1t is but natural. therefore
that the sportsman should overhaul his last
year 3 outfit and replenish il with seieotion
from the tackle and flies of which the sport
ing houses Of the city have such a tewilder-
ing array. 1he swell fisherman OF the Cooney
Brook Club will probably carry in his outfit
for the season q split ham boo rod Of the very
latest style, fancifully wound, with the tip
thicker in proportion to the middle joint, and
the butt thinner in like proportion than in
years gone by. 1t Is the most delicate rod
made, weighing anywhere from three and
one.half up to zine ounces, and measuring
from seven to nine feet in length. The rod
most favored by fishermen weighs from six to
seven ounces and is nine feet long, fairly
stiff, so that long-range fly casting may be
comfortably accomplished and quick strikes
possible. With this kind Of rod. any sized
trout can be landed with flies or light bait
grasshoppers. angle worms minnows an
inch ard a half long. But for heavy bait fish,
ing with large minnows or sinners. special
bait rod is made considerably heavier, with
the reel seat above, instead of below, the
composition rubber handle.
y There is no doubt but that the reel Is one of
the most important factors in fisherman
outfit. as u great deal OF his success depends
upon il, and at last there seems to have been
ono invented and pretty Well tested that fills
the bill. This reel clicks only when the line
is pulled OF, and when winding ii up it
works as freely free-running reel. 1t Is
one that is capable of good business, and
those who have had their lines tangled by
overrunning will appreciate what this means.
as with this reel such a catastrophe is impos-
sible. Multiplying reels are little used in
trout fishing by experts, they are for
heavier fishing or bait casting, and the dealers
all recommend q sngle action reel without
balance handle as the best for trout fy
fishiug.
Concerning the lines there IL considerable
variety in the leaders, which are made Of the
purest silkw orm gut. The gut comes mostly
from Spain, where something in the air or
food makes IL stronger than that gotten clge
where. The quality Of leaders vary, as does
he color. aud tho best are slightly stained as
blush or gray mist color, without impsiring
the strength ana making them invisible in
tho water. Leaders always tested with
tDe gredtest OF care Dy tne experienced nSnor-
man for weak spots, and thereby no saves
many tsh the careless man would have lost.
The general rule regarding the use OF flies
Is that In the carly season the large ones
should he tried, lessening in size until the fish
go on the cold beds, whore midRets tied OH
No. IA 10 20 hooks are usually most success.
ful On dark days bright colored flies are tho
best, while on clear bright days small dark
hy IL considerably moro attractive.
When the streams are SO cold at this season
Of the year. filed with melting snow from tho
hillside. pair Of hip boots IL great com.
fort. as with shoes one II sure TO get his feet
wet. and wet feet are misery on cold days.
besides, IL Is often necessary to wade in order
10 reach the trout. and rs the majority pre-.
fer to wade, the big hip boots are an essential
thing.
II might be suggested that pair Of hob
nailed shoes, worn over the boots. will save
them from many rip and tear which they
would bo likely 60 sustain from sharp or
jagged stones Dark or grey old suits OF
clothes, which are not conspicuous. are sIso
preferred.