SIXTH DAT.] FLIES. 151 



Look at the fly now on my line ; where would you 

 recommend me to cast it ? 



HAL. — It is a large gaudy fly, and is fit for no part 

 of this pool, except the extremely rough head of the 

 torrent ; there, I dare say, it will take in this state of 

 the waters. 



POIET. — Good, I hooked a large fish, but alas ! he 

 is off; yet I thought he was fairly caught. 



HAL. — The hook, I think, turned round at the 

 moment you struck, and carried off some scales from 

 the outside of his mouth. 



POIET. — You are right ; see, the scales are on the 

 hook. I cannot raise another fish; I have tried 

 almost all over the pool. I thought I saw a fish rise 

 at the tail of the rapid. 



HAL. — You did ; he refused the fly. Now put on 

 a fly one third of the size and of the same colour, and 

 I think you will hook that fish. 



POIET. — I have done so ; and he is fast — and a 

 fine fish ; I think a salmon. 



HAL. — It is a salmon; and one above 10 lbs. 

 Play him with care, and do not let him run into the 

 rough part of the stream, where the large stones 

 are. 



POIET. — It is, I think, the most active fish I have 

 yet played with. See how high he leaps ! He is 

 making for the sea. 



