34 



AMERICAN GAME FISHES. 



bulk is of small use in casting against a wind, and one that 

 is hard and stiff is too long in running straight out into the 

 water. A correct line is as essential as a correct rod. Let 

 it be perfectly pliable, and yet have enough substance in it 

 to make it feel quite solid. As to selection of flies, the most 

 killing for mid-season are the Josh Scott, Silver Doctor, and 

 Turkey Wing — the brightest later on. These are chief among 

 six patterns selected by a composite jury of all the best anglers 

 of Great Britain. Yellow Mohair and Golden Pheasant are 

 the best for early rivers. In the evening, when the light goes 

 off the water, large flies and brighter colors can be used with 

 effect. A silver body does well, and jungle-cock feather 

 shows up finely. As to size of flies, one universal proverb 

 will always stand: Large flies for heavy and deep water; 

 larger flies for waters which run rapid and rough than for 

 those which run shallow and quiet; large flies for evening 

 fishing, and large flies for early spring fishing. In these 

 later years I have learned to use double snoods. Upon the 

 whole I find Salmon less capricious than Trout. The truth 

 is on a booming river, or when the Salmon are in a taking 

 mood, they are not particular as to the kind of fly they take. 

 There is a good deal of fresco work in the talk about killing- 

 flies and favorites. Pedantry will often count for more than 

 common sense, but it does not carry as far. 



Fish rise best the moment when the river begins to come 

 out. In some cases they will rise until the water becomes so 

 dirty that they cannot see, but in general the spurt will not 

 last over an hour. This, however, is not the time to fish. 

 No use to waste time when the fish are turning flip-flaps all 

 over the stream. Once, on a moonlight night, they made 

 such a constant commotion in the river that I could not sleep; 

 what a night that was! Not a cloud or a whiff of wind. The 

 river was alive with them. The best time to fish is the moment 

 when the fish become quiet and begin to choose their resting- 

 places, and the river runs clear enough for them to see the fly. 



