Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-08-15

require different flies. The novice IS apt
to select too many kinds Of flies. yet it
Is far better TO have too large an assort-
ment than TOO small a one. The veteran
frequently errs the other way and often
confines himself to too limited an as
s0rtment. Tho best selection Of flies VIII
include the gray haclIe, brown hackle
coachman, professor, white miller, black
gnat, cow dung, and royal coachman
Much speculation has been INDUCED as
to why so wary a fish as trout viii seize
an artificial fly, which, in great ma
jorlty Of cases, bears 10 resemblance TO
anything on the waters or in them.
1t is true that most flies are intended
10 represent particular insects, but often
those most clumsily made will DO as
much execution as the most delicate. y
certain school Of anglers contends that
study Of insect life is necessary to sue
cessfully lure the fish and that only BY
initiating the insects that are habitual
on the streams can success be attained
The practical angler, however, does not
do much studying as TO the minutae Of
natural flies He knows that certain
forms and colors will take fish in these
waters and other forms and co.ors make
good catches in those, and with this
knowledge he is content. The tackle
manufacturers list several hundred kinds
of flies. probably twenty would do just
as well.
AMERICAN TACKLE.
The perfection Of American fly tackle
is in no instance better illustrated than
in the matter Of lines. The braided,
enamelled fy-line is by all means the
best. The ease with which it renders
through the guides, its strength, and
waterproof qualities all make it the most
desirable of fly-lines. In size that known
as j., is most used, although
some use heavier line, because it casts
better against the wind. These lines are
made "levcl" and "tapeTed." The level
line is best in point OF utility. Fifty yards
Is a long line and for most fishing
twenty-five yards may be made TO suffice.
The Sproat and O'Shaughnessy are the
standard fly hooks, but of late the hooks
mado after the patterns Of II. c. Penn-l
are coming into use.
As a general rule. he who passes the
most time upon the trout streams knows
most about the habits Of trout yet no
man may arrogate to himself that he
knows all about them. The fish are as
capricious as women and quite as diff
cult to understand AS a rule, the large
fish will be found in the deep pools, be-
hind large rocks and in the quiet heavy
sWirls. The smaller fish are found in the
shallower waters. At times the fish OF
all sizes take TO the rifles The patri-
archs. as a rule, have a fixed habitat,
and although they run up and down the
stream they viii invariably return 10
their faVorite pools During the warm
months the fish seek the cooler waters
of the head Of the stream, as trout can
lie >
degrees. They do not run into the sea
as do salmon, yet. whenever it is posi-
BILE TO do so. they will take an occasional
excursion to the brine.
These trout streams that run into the
sea are not as easily depleted as are
the inland brooks, and the trout, as
! rule. attain greater size. Trout feed upon
the larvae Of bugs and butterflies that
! are deposited in the stream for incuba-
| ton: they also prey upon the young OF
! their own kind and are especially fond
! OF trout and salmon eggs. 1t Is wen
/ recorded fact that immense numbers OF
! trout follow the salmon in their migra-
! lions TO the spawning grounds, and de-
/ your the eggs as soon as they fan from
the female. The favorite food Of the
4 trout, however, are the flies, beetles, ana
| rrasshoppers that fall on the surface OF
the water. 1t is this habit Of Selling its
/ food upon the surface of the water that
| affords such sport to the angler, for when
/ fish are on the feed they seize the arti-
fetal lure with the same avidity as they
do the patural flies.
Generally the mornings and evenings
| are the best time TO fish, although this
varies as TO the time OF year. Early
and late in the season. the middle OF
the day may be found best. Sometimes
trout will be seen rising in all directions,
striking at minute midgets that float over
the top Of the water. At such times
IT is almost impossible TO make them no
tlce any lure. Keep as much out OF
sight as the nature of the ground will
lpermit. and fish with the finest tackle
that will hold your fish. The finer the
tackle. the more skill is required IN hand
ling the game. In casting, do so from
the wrist and forearm. keeping the arm
quite close up 10 the side. DO not use
a longer line than you can cast neatly
The fly should drop directly over the
spot where you think the fish lies. and
should strike the water first, and az light
~ as possible. Only persistent trials
can make a sldlful fly-caster.
In retrieving the line it should be don
with quick. rather jerky motion, but j.
sending IL forward again care should b
Should a fish rise to the fly a slight turl
or jerk Of the wrist viii fasten the hoo
i'm his mouth Should he be small on
he may be "yanked" out at once but III
larger fellow must be handled carefully
Let him have all the line he wants
stearing him clear Of weeds or rocks a
much as possible Keep a light drag o
him. and as soon as you think adviSabl
commence Keeling in. Should he maxi
another squirt let him have the line agar
repeating this until he turns over on HI
side. Don't play a fish too long, an
large fish should be landed with a net
TO do this bring the fish as close 10 20
as YOU can, and quiet but quickly put IN
net under him. Don't fiaunt your net a
, If you were leading q charge in battle.
In playing your fish be sure you Away
keep a taut line on him or he Will surel
: disengage himself 1t should be the an
gler's endeavor TO always keep his 70
i'm position that he may strike. IL tn
! rod IS held too near the perpendicular IN
power TO strike is almost wholly lost
and there is danger OF breaking the roc
should a large fish hook himself. If bal
is used, grasshoppers, worms, and tn
white grubs that are found beneath tn
I bark of decayed spruce and pine tree
are good. but for big fish there Is nothn
like minnows. In using bait a plain hoo
should be used. 1t is now conceded tina
TO fish down stream is by far the bes
: plan.
In doing this care should be takel
, not 10 roll the water unnecessarily, TO
il disturbs the fish below. Fish lie Will
their heads up stream. and were 1t no
for the fact that the flies float loosel,
back uDOn the caster In working U