SALMON FISHING WITH THE FLY. 197 



fore, should not be wound round the hat, but put away when 

 not in use ; hanks of gut are best preserved in wash-leather. 



It is a common belief that by staining gut it is less easily 

 seen by the fish, but I think this is very doubtful, and I prefer 

 to use it in its natural state. 



I have entered into minute details upon this subject, as I 

 think it of great importance. Rod, line, flies, &c., may be per- 

 fection in every other respect ; , but should there be one weak 

 point in the casting line, the angler may just as well be fishing 

 with rotten thread, and it is absolutely necessary to insure suc- 

 cess that he should take such precautions as I have advised. 



FLIES. 



There is more difference of opinion about salmon flies than 

 upon any other subject connected with salmon fishing. Some 

 people assert that it is necessary to use different patterns of flies 

 for every month during the fishing season ; others, that certain 

 patterns are suitable only for certain rivers, and that it is useless 

 to fish with any others. Another theory is that certain shades 

 of colour must be used on certain days. Every fisherman one 

 meets has his own ideas upon this subject. I have mine, and 

 whether they are right or wrong I will endeavour to explain them. 

 I think it is reasonable to assume that a salmon can discern the 

 colours of a fly ; but will the theorists, who believe that it is ne- 

 cessary to fish with certain patterns of flies in each month of the 

 fishing season, tell me that a feeding fish will refuse a fly which 

 is offered him, say during the month of April, because it is not 

 said to be the pattern of that particular month ? There is not 

 a particle of evidence in support of such a theory, and it is not 

 worth one moment's argument. That certain patterns of flies 

 must be used on different rivers is a more plausible theory, and 

 if the word ' colour ' had been substituted for ' pattern ' I should 

 be quite of the same opinion. Some rivers are very clear ; 

 others more or less stained with bog water, and from other 



