The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-04-06

1t is but a few days now until the
trout fishing season opens i'm Pcnnsyl-
Vania, and the woods will be full of
anglers who will strive to carry nome
baskets of their satisfying catch. The
man who Is trout fisher of oil needs
to be told little about how TO prepare
for the sport or how to engage in L.
The novice may well be guided by n
few pointers, for fishing for trout is
different from any other branch of the
fascinating pursuit of angling.
Trout are never found i'm polluted
streams. nor will they tolerate any but
cool water. They delight in little pools
beneath rocks or logs which ObsJGuCt
the stream and break the current into
ttful and turbulent cataracts and rap
luS. The deep forest Is more of a faV-
orite than the open country, hence the
man who would find a reward for his
days tramp must go forth expecting
to penetrate laurel thickets, tangles of
underground. and somewhat inacces-
sible places in the forbddng noun
tains.
The successful fisherman is the one
who will desert the roads and paths
and follow the stream resolutely, let it
lead whithersoevcr it may. For this
purpose 1t is well to he equipped with a
pair of rubber wading boots. that the
middle of the brook may he taken when
the banks are difficult Of passage.
FISH DOWN STREAM.
In fishing for trout it is best to pro-
ceed at once to the head of the stream
and fish down. The trout is a lively
feeder and is on the lookout up stream
L. 4.
dinner AS the fly or the worm is drop
ped over a log below which he is con-
oeGled he darts at it savagely and is at
once fast, or he is frightened away by
the strange apparition. 1t is useless to
sit on the bank and hold a line in the
pool. If it is not taken quickly it
is rarely taken at all. and the angler
may as we'll move on down stream.
The trout is the readiest bitter of all
the fish of the water. Little pools, edg-
es of overhanging rocks or any bunch
of drift likely to afford him a home
are apt to respond to the hook.
If it is inconvenent to start at the
head of the stream and fish down, the
sportsman should keep his pole well
ahead of him, so that he can throw his
hook and not be seen by the fish on the
lookout In fishing up stream it is wise
to follow the banks rather than to keep
in the stream. BY so doing the hook
can be dropped into the pool while the
fisher stays back out of sight.
SHORT LINES BEST.
Short lines as a rule are best for the
mountain streams, as long ones get
tangled in the drift and in the trees
and branches overhead. Fancy tackle
is all right for the experienced fisher
man who knows how to use il, but the
novice will do as well to follow the
advice of some rural fisherman, who
viii cut a pole from the head of the
stream, tie a short line to it, and with
a worm dug from the moist places
along the shore, catch a basket with
anybody. Artificial flies are taken
readily by the trout. But the earth
worm has fully as warm place in his
affections. and can be relied upon.
Those unacquainted with woodcraft
can bear in mind that every stream
leads to a bigger one, and that the
large ones lead to settlements. The
lost man has but to follow the stream
and he VIII in a few hours, at most,
reach town or village whence he can
speedily be set on his way. In going
fishing carry as little paraphernalia as
possible. A tramp over the mountain
grows tiresome enough in a day with
out a load of useless baggage to weary
the unaccustOmed feet. To get the best
results it is wise to go to the country
as near the fishing sreams as possible
and there put up with the country tav-
erns or the farmers or woodsmen, who
for moderate consideration, will en-
tertain strangers and do it very well.