UP-KIVER FISHING RECOMMENDED. 61 



lower parts of pools are usually the best, and 

 should therefore be fished whilst as yet in an un- 

 disturbed state. By fishing a river upwards, 

 much time is spared, for you proceed straight 

 from pool to pool, and are not obliged continually 

 to advance and then retrace your steps, which 

 you must do in fishing a river downwards, un- 

 less, indeed, you begin at the heads of pools. As 

 I wish that everything connected with fly-fishing 

 for salmon should be performed in the most regular 

 way, I recommend up-river fishing, though in 

 doing so I know I lay myself open to the charge 

 of hyper-punctiliousness. One way, many will 

 say, is as good as another. I do not think so ; 

 for I maintain that, in fishing a river downwards, 

 you waste time and pedestrian labour. Whenever 

 it cannot be obviated, there is an end to the matter. 

 Always fish first the river-side next to you, then 

 the middle of it, and afterwards the opposite 

 side, if you can reach it. There are many pools 

 and places which ought to be fished from their 

 heads. This may sometimes be done by having 

 recourse to small rocks, which, running out into 

 the river towards the head of a stream, serve as 

 stepping stones, from the last of w^hich you may 

 throw straight before you down the pool, which is 

 a very great advantage. Wading, however, is the 



