SALMON FISHING WITH THE FLY. 251 



I saw that the upper pool was occupied, and, as I thought, 

 the middle pool also, as I saw a fisherman sitting down on the 

 bank reading a newspaper and apparently resting himself after 

 his labours. I passed down to opposite the lowest pool (which 

 was also close to the road, but hidden from the two upper pools 

 by an orchard) to see if it was occupied, and I saw what I took 

 to be an angler with his fly stuck in a tree on the opposite 

 bank, and the river watchers trying to free the line. I of course 

 took it for granted that the pool was occupied, and passed on 

 to look for a vacant pool lower down, and it was not until 

 afterwards that I found out the trick that had been played upon 

 me. The fact was that the man who was reading the paper on 

 the bank at the middle pool, had been fishing it since eight 

 o'clock blank, and as the lowest pool was a very good one, he 

 thought it just possible he could go and fish it and return to 

 the middle pool (which was by far the best in that part of the 

 water) before any other fisherman appeared on the scene. So 

 he went over in the boat, and while in the act of fishing the pool 

 his fly got fast in the tree. ' Oh, horror ! what shall I do ? the 

 Major will take my pet pool before I can get back, and I shall 

 be left out in the cold.' However, a plan of action soon sug- 

 gested itself, and he left his attendant with the rod, crossed 

 back in the boat and adopted the ruse I have mentioned, of 

 reading the newspaper in full sight of anyone who was driving 

 on the road, making it appear he was bonafide in possession of 

 the pool. The thing was so cleverly done that I could not be 

 angry, although the laugh was against me. 



There is as much luck in salmon fishing as in any other 

 pursuit we are engaged in, and the most experienced angler 

 will often be beaten by the veriest tyro. It is very trying to the 

 temper of a man who * fancies himself,' and who is going to 

 teach all the world how to fish, to go home blank. The man 

 who is lucky has no feeling of pity for his neighbour who has been 

 unsuccessful, and, if the truth is known, often chuckles at his 

 discomfiture, even though he should be his bosom friend. 



I was once fishing some private water I had rented with 



