The fine art of fishing

Front matter

V

<5°^ n

•,^■1

Foreword

The present volume is intended to supplement with notes on our common game fish and the practical use of the fly- and bait-casting rod in casting and in fishing the description of fiy- and bait-casting tackle contained in the writer's previous book, "Fishing Kits and Equipment"; in other words, to discuss the methods of fly-fishing and bait-casting and other angling ways and means, as distinguished from the exclusive question of tackle. Every angler knows that good tackle is half the battle — and only half.

Secondarily, it is hoped that the reproductions of the photographs may, at least, suggest the part which, with little difficulty and at no very great expense, the camera may be made to play in the angler's days on stream and lake.

The greater part of the following text and photographs have appeared in Outing, Recreation, and Country Life in America. The author's thanks are hereby tendered the publishers of those periodicals for permission to use the material in the present form.

SAMUEL G. CAMP.

Canaan^ Connecticut.

Contents

Page

The Brook Trout and the Fly-caster. ... i

The Lure of the Trout Pools i

Chapter I The Brook Trout And The Fly-caster

FLY-FISHING for the speckled brook trout has a hold upon its votaries such as no other outdoor sport can boast. The interest of your simon-pure fly-fisherman in his pastime is more than a mere matter of the open season, it is lasting and ever present. He is a crank on the subject The Lure ^^^ proud of the title. If you disagree

in ^ T> 1 with him as to the status of the sport he Trout Pools. .„ , .. , . . ,

wili declme to argue the question with

you — ignorance so colossal as yours is not to be met

with arguments. He is simply sorry for you. And

yet, no matter what may be your opinion of fly-casting

as a sport, you cannot but envy him. The reasons for

however, although of the very best, somewhat difficult

of explanation to the uninitiated.

Of course, to a certain extent, one can describe the typical trout stream. It is not a large stream; rather, a big brook or little river. Its banks are pleasantly wooded, with here and there a small clearing where one time some logging job extended to the water's edge. Alternately there are hurrying, turbulent rapids or shallow, clear, swift-running rifHes and deep, opaque pools whose surfaces reflect the pines and hemlocks and in whose depths the aldermen of the river repose In dignified Inertia. Occasionally there are falls where the stream foams down many feet In a graceful, white, out-bending ribbon. And again there are long, still reaches where the current Is scarcely perceptible and where, If you would land a trout, you must Indeed cast *'iine and far off."

But no word-picture of the characteristics of the trout stream portrays In the slightest degree the characteristics of that same stream from the fly-fisherman's point of view. While he is fully aware of the natural beauties of the stream, the angler Is apt to regard It more or less technically. And In this technicality of viewpoint, difficult In Itself to define, lies the still greater diflficulty of explaining the true relation of the stream to the stream fisherman.

One can also describe the fly-caster's tackle; the graceful, resilient split-bamboo; the delicate yet, when well selected, steel-strong lines and leaders; and the various flies, each having its special connotation for the experienced fly-caster. But these comprise merely the mechanical part of the game. The operation of casting the fly may also be explained, but this, too. Is purely mechanical. However, in the skilful handling of fine tackle lies a large part of the angler's enjoyment.

I am inclined to believe that fly-fishing has its chief and most easily defined excuse in the existence of a certain game fish — Salvelinus fontinalis, the The Brook gpgckled brook trout. Here, indeed, is

Trout. something tangible, a thing which may be taken in the hand — first catch your trout — and looked upon. No one seeing a freshly caught brook trout would say that it was other than a thing of beauty. Its delicate, vari-colored resplendency Is not equaled by any living thing. The tarpon — Silver King of Southern waters — the Atlantic and Pacific salmons, the ouananiche and land-locked salmon, and the grayling comprise practically all the other game fishes, excepting the various other forms of brook trout, which may be said to possess both beauty of form and coloration.

It cannot be denied that these fish are justifiably praised, but it is generally conceded that the red-spotted brook trout has nothing to fear from their competition. Of the Western trout, the rainbows, cutthroats, and steelheads, the rainbow, Sahno irideus, is the Eastern brook trout's nearest competitor — and that is praise enough for the rainbow. So here is one good reason, at least, why fly-fishing for trout is considered by many the very best of all sports.

But, after all, the lure of the trout pools is a thing intangible, elusive, which cannot be cr^^stallized into so many words, or geometrically demonstrated. If you would solve its mysteries, would truly fathom the fascination of "the reek of the split-bamboo," you must hit the trail to a good trout stream, with fly-rod and camera, and there your desire will find its fulfilment — if you are the right sort; otherwise, otherwise.

While the Eastern brook trout is undoubtedly in coloration the most beautiful of all game fishes, in formation, especially as regards very large Coloration ^ ^ ^r ^u ,

P m ^ trout or, say, three pounds or over, its of Trout. ... 1 t ^ ^,1

position is not so clearly hrst. The male

trout of this weight, however finely marked with various tints of blue, crimson, and gold, tends dangerously to aldermanic girth and, with his usual under-shot and cruel lower jaw. Is rather a creature to respect for gameness and fighting-blood than to admire artistically.

The quality of coloration in the brook trout, too, is dependent to a great extent upon the immediate surroundings affected by the fish. That this is a matter of protective coloration should go without gainsaying. In very dark waters, well shaded and with muddy or darkly colored bottom, the brook trout is sympathetically of subdued coloration, sometimes almost black — a very dark purple. On the other hand, in clear streams running over white gravel or pebbly beds, the trout are lightly tinted and often have a golden luster or sheen that is unequaled for beauty. The wise men tell us that variation of color in brook trout is caused by the light acting through the nerves of the eye upon certain color glands. It is also dependent to a certain extent upon the natural food most common to the stream, trout which have an abundance of insect food being the most brilliant in coloration as well as the largest.

To catch trout with the fly it is not at all necessary to know that, as a matter of scientific fact, the brook

trouf is not a trout but a charr. Briefly,

ine Brook ^g regards the Sabnonidae, the books of

p, authority recognize the salmon trout and

the charr trout, the distinction being founded upon the fact that the charrs have no teeth upon the front of the bone in the roof of the mouth, the contrary being the case with the salmon trout. Of the charrs those most familiar to the angler are the Great Lakes trout, Cristivomer namaycush, the ''Namaycush," and fontinaliSj Salvelinus meaning "little charr." In this connection it might be well to say that the trout of British angling literature is not our common native trout but the brown trout, Sal mo far to, now pretty generally introduced into this country and a true trout, not a charr.

The brook trout, although found in many lakes, is essentially a creature of running waters highly aerated

and of low temperature, sixty-five degrees

The Brook being about the highest temperature con-

TT sistent with their continued existence and

w^elfare. So, in a way, the speckled trout is a neighbor of the ruffed grouse, the white-tailed deer, and the gray squirrel, living in forest and woodland streams, spring born and fed, where the water, running between wooded banks, is shaded and cool, and the many waterfalls and rocky riffles afford air in abundance.

The appeal of trout fly-fishing to the sportsman is due in great part to the mere fact that "going to the woods" is inseparably connected with the best of the sport. The man who for a day, or many days, wades down a secluded trout stream, not so Intent upon his cast of flies as to fail in observation of his surroundings, or to miss the many chance meetings with the furred and feathered forest dwellers so frequently offered the angler who has the faculty of seeing, is never dissatisfied with his "luck" ; his days upon the stream, be the creel light or heavy, the Red Gods propitious or otherwise, are always the most pleasant of memories, to be dreamed again by the winter fireside and repeated at the earliest opportunity.

About the spawning habits of trout, it may be that some time when walking through the woods in the autumn, possibly hunting ruffed grouse or spawning ^^^^ yQ^ ^m come upon some little Habits. ' \ Tr J J

mountam stream. It you ever do and

will take the pains to look for them, you may see some very fine trout In that Inconsequential rivulet. In October and November, the temperature of the water having Its Influence over the exact time, the brook trout may be found at the headwaters of the streams and up the little "feeder" brooks where the spawning takes place. The female constructs the nest, brushing away the sand and gravel with nose and tail so as to form a slight depression In the stream bed, and the eggs are deposited therein. The male trout, at this time of exceptionally high and brilliant coloration, Is In constant attendance. The brook trout, however, unlike the black bass, when the spawning is completed gives the nest no further attention. Under natural conditions, as distinguished from fish cultural results, only a very small percentage of the eggs are hatched, possiblj^ at best, five per cent. The time of incubation is from sixty to ninety days.

Under favorable circumstances it takes about three years to make a pound trout, but the extent of the waters inhabited and the abundance or J^°^ lack of food therein — also the nature of

' the food supply — have great influence in determining the rate of growth of brook trout. As above noted they thrive best upon insect food. The range of the brook trout is quite extensive ; for instance, they may be found in nearly all of the United States, although they are not indigenous to all of the States whose waters they now inhabit. As to the numbers in which they may be found in any given locality, it is well, when planning a fishing trip, to remember that often, as Henry Guy Carleton has said, the brook trout exists only "in the clear, cold, running prospectus of a hotel charging $4 a day."

Fly-tackle

The tackle for trout fly-fishing has been developed to a point of excellence where further improvement, save in unimportant details, seems impossible. The rods, reels, lines, and flies now specially made for the fly-caster are certainly things of beauty and, if carefully treated, practically permanent joys. The matter of tackle selection for brook trout fly-fishing is a very simple affair — to the man who knows. But the man who does not know is quite capable of going to considerable expense for a museum of tackle curiosities the collective intent of which would be difficult to determine.

Herein it will be possible to state only with the utmost brevity compatible with clearness the essential tools and tackle of the fly-caster. For a more detailed treatise on fly-tackle and general equipment the reader is referred to "Fishing Kits and Equipment" by the present writer. Many years of stream use and experiment have shown that only certain tools are suited to effective and satisfactory — and sportsmanlike — fly-casting. In the following the suitability of the outfit to stream wading and fly-fishing in an average trout stream is primar ■ ily considered.

To the absolute exclusion of every other material the

fly-rod should be of split-bamboo. The split-cane rod

alone has the necessary speed and resili-

e y-roa. ^^^^ which are imperative for effective and comfortable fly-casting and fly-fishing. Solid wood rods of either lancewood, greenheart, or bethabara are very much slower in action than the split-bamboo, and the steel rod is not at all to be considered. It should be said, however, that in the cheaper grades the split-bamboo rod is inferior to the solid wood rod of equal price. The angler should select a fly-rod of either medium or, if the purse is a fairly long one, the very best grade. A good fly-rod is worth every cent you pay for it — and more ; also it should be said that good tackle of any sort is not only its own reward but is absolutely essential if you would have the best of the sport. Shoddy tackle conduces to careless work on the stream and consequently to poor success. On the other hand, good tackle tends to Interest one in its proper handling, both in casting and also in fishing the flies, and as a result the angler finds his interest and success increasing rather than otherwise.

Choice must be made between the six-strip and eightstrip rods, the split-bamboo rod being made from triangular strips — usually six or eight — rent from the natural cane and cemented and bound together. Expert opinion favors the six-strip fly-rod.

If the angler is to have but one rod probably ten feet is the best length, but any length from nine to ten feet is generally satisfactory. It depends a great deal upon the character of the waters to be fished. For small brooks the shorter rod is preferable, but for big, rough streams where long casting must be done and large trout handled in swift water the ten-foot rod is best.

Be sure to have the ferrules and reel-seat of the rod of German silver. This material Is stronger, cleaner, and more serviceable than nickeled brass. The handgrasp should be of the sort known In the tackle trade as "solid cork," not a mere sheathing of compositioncork over a wooden form. For fly-casting the reel-seat must be below the hand-grasp. The guides of the rod should by all means be of the pattern known as English ''snake" guides, and their material should be steel or German silver, the former being most suitable because the line will not wear grooves in them as in the softer German silver.

Select a rod that bends equally from handgrasp to tip-end, one that balances well — Is not either tip or butt heavy — and is not too limber or whippy. The lo THE FINE ART OF FISHING

whippy rod is a poor caster and one with which it Is difficult to hook and play a fish properly. Fly-rods from nine to ten feet In length should weigh from five to six and a quarter ounces.

The only reel for fly-casting is a simple single-action click reel. Because of its construction It is free from line-fouling, wherein It differs much The Single- from the multipliers when used In flyaction Reel, casting. Multiplying reels have an outstanding balance-handle which continually interferes with the line when the latter Is used In the proper way for casting the fly. The single-action reel has a protecting-band around the side plate, within which the handle revolves, thus almost entirely obviating line-fouling. The one-hundred yard reel is a very good size, and hard rubber and German silver In combination are serviceable and satisfactory reel materials. The larger sizes of the single-action reels must be used to hold the necessary amount of enameled line.

The next requisite is twenty-five yards of waterproof enameled silk line. For the nine-foot rod a line of size F is right; for the ten-foot rod, The Right gj^-g |?^ Nq attempt should be made to

•r., , . use any other sort of line. The enameled

Fly-casting. ,. / , , . , j

Ime alone has the weight and smoothness

necessary for good casting ; it will not foul by wrapping around the rod. Good casting Is impossible when using a light line on a heavy rod or vice versa. In fly-casting the reel should be used underneath the rod with the handle to the right.

Quite naturally two of the most important items in a

BROOK TROUT AND FLY-CASTER ii

fly-fishing outfit are the fly-book and its contents. To select intelligently the flies upon which your Trout Flies, success or non-success will very greatly depend it is necessary to take into consideration a number of facts known to be generally applicable. As a general rule avoid brilliant flies; flies of subdued coloration, except in wilderness streams where the trout will take anything, are practically the only successful ones. Upon very dark days, or when the water is slightly flooded and discolored, they should be lighter in color and somewhat larger than those used when both weather and water are clear.

Flies of numbers eight, ten, and twelve, are generally the best, number eight being the most universally effective, although late in the season, or at any time when the stream is very low and clear, numbers ten and twelve and occasionally even smaller are to be preferred. Personally I would be satisfied with the following trout flies in good quantity and range of sizes: coachman, grizzly king, cowdung, Cahill, Beaverkill, queen of the water, brown hackle, Montreal, and March brown.

A great deal depends upon the hooks on which the flies are dressed. The Sproat hook, all things considered, is much the best. Above all things avoid cheap flies; they are flimsily tied upon hooks of poor quality and are far more deceiving to the tyro fly-fisher than to the brook trout. It is a very good plan to use the coachman, a consistently successful fly at all times and seasons, for your end fly. The white wing of this fly is easily seen in broken water, and sometimes when using small, dark colored flies in the rapids it is almost impossible to tell just where the cast is. A good strong fly-book to hold at least four dozen flies is necessary.

In addition to the flies named above the angler planning a trip to the famous trout waters of Maine and Canada, the Rangeleys, the Nepigon, and other lakes and large streams should add to his collection the Parmachene belle (first tied by Henry P. Wells, the writer of that best of all fly-fishing books, "Fly-rods and Fly-tackle," with a special view to use in Maine waters) and the silver doctor upon hooks of larger sizes than those above suggested; it should be stated, however, that even in wilderness streams flies dressed on small hooks are often the only successful ones. The last named flies are also good for sea trout and ouananiche.

Latterly American anglers are taking up to some extent the English method of dry-fly casting, using a floating fly which is always cast dry and fished upon the surface of the water — a very eflPective method for fishing still-waters and large, quiet pools. It does not seem advisable to discuss dry-fly fishing at this point, since we are now speaking only generally of fly-fishing methods. Dry-fly fishing is an extremely specialized form of the sport and is described in a later chapter on "Fishing the Pools and Still-waters."

Other fly-fishing requisites are leaders, leader box, creel, landing net, and waders. On the trout fly-rod leaders longer than six feet should not generally be used on account of the danger of reeling the leader knot through the tip-guide and thus locking the line fast.

Where the Stream Foams Down in a White, Out-bending Ribbon"

The six-foot leader is best for three flies; when using two flies, the preferable number, a five-

^^i?5^ Trout fQQ^. leader is sufficiently long. Select the Fishing . , ''J- . . " -ru

Duffle ^^^^ known as medium trout. Ihe

choice of leaders, however, is intimately connected, both as to length and caliber, with the stage of water and weather conditions. Longer and finer leaders must be used over low, clear water than when fishing the stream under normal conditions. Leaders must never be used when dry and brittle and must first be soaked in water to render them pliable ; for this purpose the angler should carry two or three leaders in a nickel leader box between layers of wet felt.

A nine-pound creel, with "new style" shoulder sling leaving the casting arm free, is most suited to average trout fishing in streams. In the matter of waders it may be said that for general purposes light-weight hipboots are about as good as any. Late in the season it is the best plan to do without waders and wear regular wading shoes, with canvas leggings, or any pair of shoes with small slits cut in them to let out the water. Light-weight knee-high hunting boots are very satisfactory for this purpose ; they should be well oiled. Hob-nails not too many, too hard, or too large, are advantageous when wading very rocky streams.

A small landing net which may be slung over the shoulder by an elastic cord, or fitted with a catch so that it may be hung on a button or ring on the front of the coat, should always be carried; the angler who religiously packs a landing net will far less frequently tell the familiar story of the "whale" that "got away."

To be sure, a landing net is more or less of a nuisance in the brush, but it should be considered as a very necessary evil. Late in the season fly-medicine or "dope" is a necessary item; frequently, as I have said elsewhere, it spells the difference between fly-fishing and mere fly-fighting. A canvas, khaki, or duxbak hunting coat because of its many pockets is handiest for trout fishing wear and very durable. The waterproof quality of the duxbak material is especially desirable.

Stream Fly-fishing in General

The typical trout stream of the woodlands or wilderness, as intimated above, is a thing of infinite variety. Swift-running, shallow riffles deepen and increase in swiftness, forming strong, turbulent rapids. These are succeeded by falls, and at the foot are dark, quiet pools. Now one comes upon some long, still reach where there is little or no current; and again he finds the stream combining riffle and quiet water in a manner difficult to describe.

The stream bed is also subject to constant variation. Although in most trout streams gravel bottom predominates, yet there will be many places where it will be merely sand, possibly large boulders lying close together, or perhaps the bottom will be weedy. You know there are trout in the stream — ^but where? Are they in the riffles, rapids, or pools ? What is the nature of the stream bottom for which they may have some passing preference? Obviously the solution is a matter of natural history — the habits of the brook trout.

The brook trout is essentially a creature of varied moods and tenses. He is here to-day; gone to-morrow. To-day he favors some certain fly, to-morrow another and quite different insect. At one time he is lively and playful; at another sluggish and sulky. To an uncertain degree only can his actions be forecasted. But, although he is eccentric, and many of his actions are exceptions to all rules, several facts are generally true of him. Given the proper outfit and competent skill in its use, there remains for the fly-fisherman only the necessity of compassing as far as may be these general truths about trout.

In October or November trout ascend to the headwaters of the streams for the purpose of spawning. Then they drift gradually back to lower wa-

_,. ^. y ters, and early spring finds them in the pools and deeper portions of the stream. At this time the water is usually bank-high and full of *'snow-broth." Even after the snow has disappeared from the immediate vicinity of the river snow-water is still running, for in the deep mountain ravines from which the little ''feeder" brooks flow down ice and snow remain until the season is well advanced. Thus early in the season trout are torpid and when hooked show little or no spirit. As soon as the river is fairly clear they will take bait, and this is the most successful way of fishing for them at this time.

If you insist on fly-fishing you can hope for only moderate returns. The trout are ground-feeding and rise to the surface with the utmost reluctance. One method of fly-fishing under these conditions is to use a silver doctor or some other brilliantly colored fly and fish it well beneath the surface. The shining, silver body of this fly has a minnow-like glitter when drawn through the water that will sometimes induce a fish to strike. But, all things considered, it is far better to depend on your bait-box, or, if you are a fly-fishing purist, to stay at home. Most of us consider it a sacred duty to wet a line on the opening day or as soon thereafter as possible. This duty fulfilled, we are content to await the more favorable conditions which prevail in May and June.

When the stream has resumed its normal level and clarity and the water has been warmed by the spring

_,. , sunshine, the fly-fishing is at its best. In-

Mid-season ,., . , , , i ,

Fishinp" ^^^^ ^^ "^^ abundant on the banks

and over the surface of the water. The fish are in the riflles and rapids, having deserted the deeper pools and reaches. Also, they are constantly foraging and their taste in the matter of insects, both natural and artificial, is much more catholic than later in the season. Other things being equal, the fly-fisherman is now in his glory and should have no difficulty in making a good score.

Then comes the late spring and summer fishing. Now, indeed, must one cast fine and far-oflF. Low and

clear water prevails. The hot sun for

-,. - . weeks has beaten on the stream, and the trout, seekmg the cool water which their

nature demands, are again in the deeper waters, about

the spring-holes, and generally farther up-stream than

theretofore. You may find the lower portions of the stream practically trout deserted. A good place to cast, at this time, is where some little mountain brook empties into the river. Fishing in the early morning and late afternoon is the most resultful. In the cool of the evening the trout work out from their day-time lairs and may be found feeding in the riffles.

With the above generalities as a basis we can now

consider with more detail certain special aspects of the

trout problem. In trout fishing, as in

Where to many other things, it is a good plan to rp make haste slowly. One can never tell

with certainty just where the fish may be lying. Until you have arrived at some reasonable conclusion on this point, fish all the water. Try the little, shallow ripples near the banks. Wet the flies In every part of the riffles and rapids. When you come to a pool fish all of it from the head, then go around and fish all of it from below. Do not neglect the little eddies around boulders and half-submerged trees. Many times the best fish are taken in the most unlikely places.

Where the stream has fretted away the soil so as to form a hiding place beneath the overhanging bank, watch out for the "big one." Proceeding in this manner, you will soon discover the nature of the places where the majority of the fish are lying, and if your time Is limited you can pass by those which seem least productive. On some days most of the trout will be found In the riffles; on others the riffles are deserted by all save the smallest fry and you will strike most of your trout in the deeper rapids or the pools.

In the experimental stage of the day's fishing It Is well also to determine as quickly as possible which p . method of presenting the flies seems to

Experimfnts.^^ "'^'^ P°P^^^^ ^^^.^ ^^^ .^'^- ^^ ^^^ customary method of casting, that is,

keeping the flies well up on the surface, does not produce sufficiently satisfactory results, try the submerged fly. A variation in the method frequently spells the difference between success and failure. I have often made good baskets of trout by fishing the flies from six inches to a foot underneath the surface, when, at the same time, it was impossible to induce a strike by orthodox surface fishing.

Trout habits are in great measure a matter of locality. If you are to fish a stream that is new to you, by all means get into communication, if possible, with some local angler and believe all that he tells you. If he is the right kind of a sportsman he will save you many hours which might otherwise be spent in unsuccessful experimenting.

Down-stream fishing is best adapted to the swift current of most American trout streams, although where the stream is quiet it may properly, and

sometimes to better advantage, be fished xlints. K j> T • 11