A FAVOUBITE FLY. A SULKY FISH. 307 



gold if for a dark one, wrapped carefully and regularly 

 between the hackles ; the whole terminating with a scarlet 

 tail either of ibis or worsted the latter I prefer. To say 

 that this fly has not been tried previously might be deemed 

 presumptuous ; but this I will say, that when I first made 

 it I had no pattern, neither did 1 try to copy anything I 

 had seen. I have used it in many waters, and invariably 

 with success, although I am aware that frequently what is 

 found most deadly on some streams is totally ineffective in 

 a neighbouring one. 



My fly being on and the cast well stretched, I com- 

 menced operations, and at the third throw rose a heavy 

 fish without pricking him. However, I thought I would 

 move down and return when I had got to the bottom of 

 the pool, and offer his excellency another chance. At the 

 fifth throw I rose and hooked a fine fish, who, as soon as 

 he felt he was impaled, rushed down into the still water. 

 Not less than seventy yards did he run out at this burst, 

 and when I thought I had turned him the scoundrel sulked 

 and remained sullen at the bottom. I thought he was 

 hooked strong, for I struck him quick and forcibly, and 

 therefore felt confident, barring accidents, that he was 

 destined to be mine. Slowly, but surely, I worked down 

 stream, taking in with guarded hand every inch of slack 

 that I could with safety. When abreast of him not over 

 thirty yards were off my reel, and the ground was more 

 than usually accessible. With patience I waited some 

 minutes, but I might just as well have been fast to a rock. 

 Other salmon were leaping around me, and I could not 

 afford the time to remain inactive. I was determined to 



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