56 GENERAL RULES FOR PLAYIXG A SALMON. 



if your fish rushes from you, follow him with your 

 rod well up and your line taut, bearing upon 

 him moderately. If your winch is loose in its 

 play, you must hold the line in the fingers of your 

 left hand to prevent it running slackly, that is, 

 faster than the fish is going ; but if your winch is 

 a good check one, of somewhat stiffish play, the 

 precaution of holding the line between the fingers 

 will be unnecessary, as it will not run off without 

 being borne upon by the fish, and, consequently, 

 will remain taut as long as the fish keeps scudding 

 away. At first, I would not bear heavily on a 

 fish, unless he were making for dangerous quarters, 

 and, in such event, I would stop him if I could. 

 If he be in fair water, I would at first, and until 

 his strength began to fail, play him with a long, 

 tightish line, for the more of it he carries and 

 drags after him, the sooner will he display symp- 

 toms of weakness. As soon as he does, bear upon 

 him gently, w^inding up slowly at the same time, 

 and bringing him towards you in the direction of 

 some safe place. If he sink towards the bottom, 

 wind up your line and prevent him from descend- 

 ing entirely, keeping him clear from any thing he 

 can work his head or body against. Whilst he so 

 remains, butt him — that is, present the butt-end of 

 the rod towards him, which will cause him to feel 



