A CHAPTES. OF ACCIDENTS. 221 



lifetime, we at all events learnt a lesson concerning 

 knots, and gained convincing proof that salmon feed 

 on small flies — small, indeed, in comparison with their 

 own size. 



We a few days later watched a fresh fish, which had 

 drawn up behind a big stone in smooth water, not more 

 than two yards from the bank, feeding on scores of 

 March browns. 



We thus killed during our visit 3 salmon, weighing 

 18 lb., 8 lb., and 8 lb., and lost six fish, and during 

 the middles of the days killed 64) trout, averaging over 

 ^ lb. apiece, which were in exceptionally fine condition 

 for the time of year, quite a month ahead of the 

 average season, probably by reason of the warm fine 

 weather which had been experienced in these parts 

 during February and early March. 



After a week's interval we returned for a couple of days, 

 and killed a fresh fish of 20 lb. and 60 trout weighing 

 311b.; but on this occasion we gave more time to trout, 

 and the water and weather were more favourable. 



When fishing trout, in large rivers especially, there 

 are a few points to be remembered. 



The golden rule is to follow the feed: this is an easy 

 matter when the river can be covered at a single cast, 

 but in fishing a big water when a strong wind is blowing 

 the angler must shift to some particular nook to which 

 the feed is being carried, and there he may meet with 

 more sport in an hour than otherwise would be found 

 in a day. 



