THE IMPLEMENTS OF SALMON FISHING 239 



THE IMPLEMENTS OF SALMON FISHING. 



TIME was, when every angler was required to make his own instru- 

 ments, from the rod itself to the artificial fly, but now, so general has 

 become the love of this calm and gentle pursuit, and so multiplied 

 and subdivided are all trades and professions, that there are few cities 

 in the civilized world, of any magnitude, in which it is not easy, at 

 any moment, to procure anything that is requisite for this pursuit. 



Of consequence, the necessity for skill in manufacture of imple- 

 ments has passed away, and, comparatively speaking, but few anglers 

 think it necessary any longer to be familiar even with the method of 

 tying their own flies, the tackle-shops furnishing every possible 

 variety, more neatly executed, it is probable, and consequently more 

 killing, than any could be of private manufacture. 



Still, to tie a neat and taking fly is a very useful accomplishment 

 to the enthusiastic fisherman, especially when he is in wild and remote 

 districts, as frequently must be the case ; and at times some rare 

 natural fly will be seen on the water, which it may be found expedient 

 to imitate without delay. 



The art of tying flies is attained with greater readiness, and, in fact, 

 is far less diflicult, than is generally thought, or than would be imagined 

 needful, from the beautiful delicacy of the manufacture in its perfection. 

 Most works on practical angling contain long and elaborate directions 

 how to hold, and how to tie the feathers on the hook, but all these are, 

 in my opinion, utterly valueless and futile ; nor do I believe that any 

 person has ever learned either to tie a fly, or to cast it when tied, from 

 the perusal of any printed explanation ; any more than the young 

 sportsman has ever acquired the knack of shooting on the wing except 

 by practice and experience. 



The best way to acquire the art of tying flies is to observe carefully 

 the manipulation of some skilful operator, and to obtain from him, 

 during the performance of the work, oral instructions on the subject. 



