76 THE SALMON 



some entire rivers can be fished ; still, I think that he 

 somewhat exaggerates the difficulty of the operation 

 and the skill necessary for its performance. To go 

 slow from side to side, to ' keep at it,' and to drop 

 four to five feet at each transit, does not seem to me 

 hard to do except in very rough water ; but it is 

 certain that there are degrees of proficiency in this, as 

 in all sports, and that it is a great handicap to have a 

 fool for a boatman. 



It is usually the oarsman's business to land the fish 

 either with net or gaff, and a bungler who knows little 

 of the sport and cannot manage a boat properly may 

 involve you in difficulties and dangers more serious 

 than the mismanagement of a pool or even the loss 

 of a good salmon. There are occasions when you 

 are offered the alternative of a break, or of following 

 your fish into unknown rapids, or even into similar 

 perils consciously encountered ; and your life may 

 depend upon the activity, readiness, and presence of 

 mind of your boatman, and his proficiency in his 

 craft, if, as is usually the case, you face the risk in the 

 excitement of the moment. 



To hold a boat properly with the oars for the 

 fisherman to cast a likely spot in mid-stream or at 

 some distance from the shore requires far greater 

 skill than mere harling. Every current and every 



