32 TREATISE ON FLY-FISHING. 



as easily as a salmon breaks the single gut of a 

 fisher, whose reel is entangled. 



Mr. Scrope's work entitled " Days and Nights 

 of Salmon fishing," is most interesting ; his des- 

 cription of this enticing sport is so vivid, and given 

 with such spirit, that even those who never saw a 

 rod, except that in Oxford-street with a golden 

 perch hanging from its point and for ever turning 

 on its axis ; or whose knowledge of fish is confined 

 to the unfortunate inmates of a glass globe, are led 

 to take a lively interest in his various piscatory 

 adventures, and cease to wonder that some of the 

 wisest and best of men have been enthusiastic 

 admirers of the art. His apology for fly fishing 

 is ingenious, and may be quoted when the angler 

 is rallied by his tender-hearted neighbour. 



" I take a little wool and feather, and tying it in 

 a particular manner on a hook, make an imitation 

 of a fly ; then I throw it across the river, and let 

 it sweep round the stream with a lively motion. 

 This I have an undoubted right to do ; for the 



