392 THE ANGLES. 



well-known old-country patterns are excellent, such as 

 the Irish " fiery brown," the " butcher," and the Scotch 

 " Jock Scott." 



Two small hackles make a nicer fly than one big one ; 

 the best wool is dyed seals' fur ; and, as a general rule, 

 there is no better wing feather for a salmon fly than the 

 brown mallard picked off an old drake in the months 

 of February or March. 



The gaff -should be of good steel, and not made with a 

 screw, but with a long flattened shank to tie on. Screws 

 are liable to get out of order, and there is never any 

 difficulty in procuring a gaff handle in the Canadian 

 forest; it should be about 4 feet in length, except for 

 fishing alone, when the gaff must be short enough to 

 carry slung over the shoulder. 



Casting a salmon line is a knack that can only be 

 acquired by practice. Theory is almost useless; never- 

 theless, a few general hints might be of some possible 

 service to a beginner. Commencing with a line the 

 length of his rod, he will gradually get on to be able 

 to cast four times the length of the rod, and even more. 

 In salmon fishing every extra foot of water a man can 

 command increases his chances of success. He must 

 learn to cast equally well from both shoulders. In cast- 

 ing a pool, the line should be thrown not straight across, 

 but diagonally across and down stream, and where it is 

 possible one step should be taken by the angler between 

 each cast. When the banks are clear of bushes, rocks, 

 &c., the line should be allowed to stretch to its full extent 

 behind the angler between each cast. If the line is 

 abruptly checked in this backward swing, the usual 



