The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-12-15

THAT being the case, we can forgive DR..
Samuel johnson, because he did not un-
derstand the intricacies OF angling as an
art and angling as n sport requiring
great skill. energy and perseverance.
He was born in September, 1909 and
died in 1854, living at a time when the
'Compleat Angler" was about the only
written word accepted authoritatively by
the Cult Contemplative.
Getting Wet Joy of Fishing.
assume the good doctor. considered
from his scholarly attitude. buried in
the musty smell of his research labora-
tory, thought any man who would follow
trout stream dangling before him fly
or worm from the slender end OF rod
or who stood on the banks OF still waite, s
in a downpour of rain in patient attitude
trying 10 lure a succulent fish from his
aqueous environment was a man OF
non compos mentis calibre and a fit sub
ject for a board OF lunacy.
II is the non compos kind, who stay
in out Of the wet fearful of their health,
spending their time gloating over the
Goals to ward on attacks Of rheumatism.
dyspepsia and chronic crouch, when
they might be enjoying the little thrills
Of the open and untrammelled freedom
other. adding to their allotment OF the
proverbial three score and ten, thus
Kidding themselves Of an accumula ton
Of spleen, that are the Simple Simon
fools.
No man has discovered himself until
he has become adept at angling with a
fly, be It wet or dry. No man has really
become expert in handling a rod, reel
and line or a game fish until he has
successfully mastered the art with cot
ton thread.
Hundreds of books have been written
since DR.. Johnson's time on the
recreation OF the contemplative man.
Each and all clearly define angling as an
art requiring skill. the practice of which
makes perfect
Anglers from all walks of life have
sauntered forth. as members OF the
greatest fraternity of good fellowship in
existence, into the far corners OF the
earth and captured every variety OF Ash
known to science and ichthyoiogy
These peregrinators have written lucid
descriptions OF their journeyings, their
game and methods OF capture. and given
70 all TO the world that II might follow
in their footsteps and enjoy what God
had prepared for their entertainment
and longevity.
Anglers have written for the tyro and
written for the veteran volumes on fish
FISH waters, flies, rods, reels and lines
While their works are pretty much alike
in instruction and sentiment. not one
perchance. ever ventured to uphold DR.
Johnson's personal definition OF the "fy
and the fool and the rod" making tn,
unholy trinity OF an angler.
To William Henry Herbert (Franl
Forester) present day sportsmen ow,
much for their instruction, for he wa.
the pioneer sporting writer OF his adopted
country. America To him falls th'
credit OF arousing the American mer.
chant and professional man from hi
counting room desk and shallow, money
mad existence to the greater and broader
possibilities OF life in the open with roc
and gun.
Although an Englishman by birtf
William Henry Herbert was an Ameri
can at heart. He was the first to intro
duce field sports in this country and the
hrst writer on angling and fishing sub
tects whose fertile brain and versatility
captivated his audience to the point oil
enthusiastic devotion. He was the frs
persistent contributor To the magazines
Il the day and through his efforts an.
cling and hunting were given literary
prominence in the columns OF the press
Fishing "Bug" Worth While.
Frank Forester was followed by Genie
G. Scott, Charles Hallock, Lanman
Prince, Hammond, Thad Norris. Thoreau
Fred Mather, Seth Green, "Barnwell
Roosevelt and host of others.
Genio c. Scott gave US the first rea
manual on angling and the art OF roc
and fly making. His Angling in Amer.
tean Waters" Is q masterpiece OF infor'
nation which other writer's vainly at.
tempted TO improve upon only to fall &c
me level OF plagiarism. Nothing really
new has been given us since those days
except the more modern development Of
hght tackle and clean craftsmanship ir
angling offered by the devotees of the
sort stick" and o. N. T. spool cotton.
II has often been said anglers were a
appy lot because they bought every.
ming that appealed to their instincts a.
worthy OF holding a minnow." In the
Yernacular of the times anglers have be.
come fans"
Generally we have been accredited
with great deal OF sound common
sense wonderful stamina, energy and
Nudious devotion 70 our avocation. We
are sometimes classed as bugs" but IN
uese days OF intellectually, where TO be
scientific is to be IT. bugs are a neces-
Hary adjunct TO the wholesome life of the
world at large. and 30 we live, wax ia,
and prosper.
This bacillus ''piscatoricus" Is a pretty
sood bug" to get acquainted with. In.
Jected as It Ii into our systems by the
req blood Of our forefathers and kept
awe by the interest interjected through
me columns OF the press, we are bound
70 hve to ripe old age and leave some
thlhS TO posterity, the profits OF our ef-
forts and experiences.
whether We be inch for inch"
pound for pound" bugs Saline" or
,pomatomus saltatrix" bugs. "surf cast
mE' turf casting bugs. or up to the min
ute light tackle cotton thread bugs, men
VIII ind us true TO the core humans,
paving fair and In the open.
we are always glad TO take the way
ra'er within the circle OF our council
nres ana impart to him anything from
or tund OF knowledge. Probably no
rIass or Hportspea devotes so much time
hstructing newcomers TO the field OF
spot as the author does with the tyro in
me proper handling OF rod and line.
returning TO bugs" and we ara all