1 6 THE SALMON 



usually at a fly, but more usually at a worm, and 

 then more usually at a lob or garden worm, which 

 ' should be scoured,' and notes that ' many used to 

 fish for salmon with a ring of iron on the top of their 

 rod, through which the line may run to as great a 

 length as is needful when he is hooked. And to that 

 end some use a wheel about the middle of their rod 

 or near the hand.' He then imparts the secret of old 

 Oliver Hanley, ' a noted fisher, now with God,' who 

 used to put his worms into a box with oil of ivy- 

 berries, ' and make his worms so irresistibly attractive 

 that he could catch more fish than I, or anybody 

 who has ever gone a-fishing with him, could do, 

 especially salmon.' On the authority of Sir Francis 

 Bacon he believes that fish can hear, and probably 

 smell, in the water, and concludes by telling you trout 

 and salmon in season have their bodies adorned with 

 red or black spots, ' which gives them such addition 

 of natural beauty as I think was never given to any 

 woman by the artificial paint or patches in which 

 they so much pride themselves in this age.' 



For the duration of life of the salmon, which 

 Walton, on Sir Francis Bacon's authority, fixes at ten 

 years, I do not think we have, or can have, any data to 

 go upon, and it must be mainly guess-work. What 

 with all the enemies that dosj his career from the cradle 



