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business ties and for various other reasons, cannot explore the wonders of nature as soon as they would like to. They are none the less sportsmen, however, and keenly ardent ones at that, for their heart's in the right place and if they had their way about things their longing would soon be gratified, but ofttimes obstacles beset one's pathway and delay the realization of one's fondest hopes.

To this great army of sportsmen, as well as to the initiated, we have faith that this book will appeal; that it will open the doors which bar their vision of nature's sublime beauty; that it will in a small measure, at least, alleviate the suffering of those who would and cannot answer the call at the present time; and we hope-very humbly hope it will be found both instructive and entertaining to all.

There are many kinds of sport, but in this book we have to do but with two classes, the angler and the hunter.

PART ONE

Angling.

To angle successfully is a fine art. It requires not only skill, but a great amount of patience. Without these prime requisites you are doomed to failure. Angling comes naturally to some fishermen, to others it must be taught, and, alas, to still others it cannot be taught.

So to be a successful angler, you must possess skill and patience. The student-fisherman who is most observant is by far most apt to speedily acquire the art. Study nature. Learn the habits of the finny tribe. Find out what they thrive upon-what insects they devour in certain seasons of the year, and imitate these insects in constructing your artificial lures, if it is not practicable to use natural ones. If you purchase your lures, use all the judgment you possess in selecting them.

The successful hunter knows the habits of the animal he is striving to bring to bag, and so must the successful fisherman know the habits of the particular specie of fish he is angling for.

No given set of rules may be set down for the guidance of the angler. Conditions vary in such great degree in different localities as to make given rules and regulations seem foolish. We must adjust ourselves and our tackle to conditions as we find them-this is the method that spells success. Hence, in this book the author shall not aim to write down any given set of rules in the art of angling, but merely to write of conditions as he has found them in his particular field of action.

While we have before us the subject of angling, perhaps it would not be amiss to offer a few general suggestions as to tackle.

Tackle is a most important item. Poor and indifferent tackle means, in most cases, failure. Of course, we, as a boy, caught our full share of fish on a crooked stick for a pole and a bent pin, but that is not our idea of art in

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"FISHING IN BRITISH COLUMBIA-A SCENE THAT WILL BRING BACK FOND RECOLLECTIONS OF OUR BOYHOOD DAYS.

the angling game. Most of that was pure blind luck, or else the fish were awfully hungry in those days. We are fully convinced that to really become an accomplished fisherman, wise to all the tricks of the finny tribe, one must have good, dependable tackle. Now, we don't mean by this that one should have extra heavy or very strong line and stout reel. No! No! Rather, we mean very light

tackle, but something a jot better than the crooked pole and the bent pin. In a word, tackle of light but good quality, that may be relied upon in a close place. We have in the angling world advocates of both light and heavy tackle. Recognizing the respective merits of both in given instances and under varied conditions, we prefer to use our judgment in our selection of tackle to meet these conditions as we find them, and recommend this course to fellow-fishermen.

The weight and length of rod is largely a matter of preference of the individual. However, a medium weight and a medium length rod will be found suitable for nearly all ordinary occasions, and, therefore, is most acceptable. The two extremes are necessary in some cases, but as a general thing the medium is to be desired.

The author uses a 5 1-2 foot rod, made of selected split bamboo, and constructed in two sections, having agate top and butt guide, between which it has high German Silver guides, and is an outfit that will suit the average fisherman. Some anglers, who hanker more for convenience in carrying a rod than for service to be obtained from it, prefer a three-jointed affair. Speaking about reels-the reel should be of good quality, an Anti-Back-Lash of the Heddon type, a Milam, a Meek, or Blue Grass; it should be free running and quadruple multiplying, with a narrow spool. The reels mentioned are fairly high in price, but in buying a reel, remember that quality counts most in this item of tackle, and that no matter how magnificent is the rod, the guides, the line, if you have not a good, free-running dependable reel, the outfit is "null and void" so far as service is to be obtained. There are many medium and low priced reels on the market, some few of which possess merit commensurate with their reasonable prices, but it takes real money to buy a quality reel that will last long and be a joy to your heart.

Then comes the subject of fishing lines. The writer

likes a braided silk line fifty yards long, for bait casting. Various and many are the lures to be found on the market today, and there is a lure for every clime and for every occasion, for all seasons and all places. Such being the case, the angler should purchase a set of lures that are adaptable to local conditions. The idea is to study the particular insect-life of the locality in which the angler resides-see what insects are common along the rivers and lakes in that

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particular region-and then buy lures as nearly in conformity to them as possible. Imitate nature. By observation along the waters of your locality, you will, no doubt, be able to see what insects fly above the water, or float upon its surface, and by close attention you will be able to note what the fish leap after most frequently. Get flies that are as nearly like these real ones as you can. This course will bring success if wisely carried out.

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