WORKING THE SALMON-FLY. 249 



quiring earnest admonition. I advise gentle work- 

 ing of the fly through and against the water, with 

 no more action than is required to display before 

 the eyes of the fish the artificial bait attractively ; 

 with no more speedy power than can be easily 

 compassed by a pursuing fish. 



The salmon-fly is always to be worked or hu- 

 moured against the current, never with it ; to be 

 worked up and down beneath the water's surface, 

 head foremost and onwards towards the angler, or 

 rather in the direction of the point of the rod. 

 This is done by moving your hands and arms up 

 and down, somewhat in the way you would work 

 a light and free pump-handle. The up-and-down 

 motion of your hands will communicate a similar 

 motion to your rod, line, and fly similar in ap- 

 pearance, but not in degree. The casting-line 

 and fly will be less influenced by the action of the 

 hands and arms than the rod ; and the winch-line 

 at least the portion of it in the water will feel 

 the action less than the rod, but somewhat more 

 than the casting-line and fly. In performing this 

 up-and-down action, the line must be drawn in a 

 little, by directing the upward motion of the rod 

 a little towards yourself. 



In hooking a rising fish, Mr. Scrope properly 

 observes, ' It is best to strike a little sideways, that 

 the hook may fasten in the fleshy part of the 

 mouth ; whereas, if you pull straight up, you are 



