ON THE LYOX. 203 



of the water. But this sharp practice availed 

 little, for not a fish showed until I got to the 

 stream above " the wooden brig," the highest cast 

 of our salmon-beat. There I moved a dark old 

 fish three times. He began by a free dash at my 

 black fly, then refused. Rested him some time, 

 and tried him with a lighter; but only a head 

 appeared this time. Another rest, and refusal of 

 same fly, so gave him a brighter lure still. This 

 last was only noticed by a sluggish " bell." Waited 

 some time, changing flies and resting; but when 

 salmon spring briskly at first, and become duller 

 each succeeding rise, they are very apt, as in 

 the present instance, finally to refuse altogether. 

 When, on the contrary, the first rise is lazy, and 

 the second more active, look sharp for the third 

 offer, and take it coolly. The spin of the pirn-line 

 will most likely prove its pleasing sequel ! 



On the return, not even a white trout stirred 

 until I regained the low pool, which my alert 

 Waltonian brother had already skimmed. A sly 

 peep at an angler in difficulties, however, has 

 generally an effect on his successor to the pool the 

 very reverse of a damper. Heedfully, therefore, 



