SALMON-FISHING. 363 



Salmon frequently leap above tlie water as if in play or to 

 inhale an additional quantity of atmospheric air; at such 

 times they are not disposed to take your fly. But when one 

 is observed to rise at a natural fly — and there are very few of 

 these on a Salmon river — the angler may expect a rise also at 

 his counterfeit. 



The length of line that can be cast depends much on the 

 length and spring of the rod ; three times its length is the 

 limit that most writers on the subject give as the distance 

 that can be cast with precision and lightness, but with a 

 moderate fair wind, twenty-five yards can be covered with a 

 rod of sixteen feet. 



A Salmon-pool is generally different from^the water in 

 which Trout are found. Not in the shade of trees overhang- 

 ing a still pool, where a cooling spring branch trickles in ; 

 not in the tossing, troubled head of a rift ; nor often in the 

 eddies that whirl in circles at its sides ; nor in its backwater. 

 But in the deep smooth rapid, generally occupying but a 

 small portion of the breadth of the river ; or close to the rock 

 that juts boldly up from the deep swift water ; sometimes on 

 the brink of the pitch, as it leaps over a ledge of rock. Then 

 again where a moderate deep current terminates in a glassy 

 rapid, called a ^'tongue" or a "sled-run," or just above the 

 rocks on either side which force the current into these fancied 

 shapes. In such places as the last mentioned, Salmon gene- 

 rally rest after the labor of winning their way up the strong 

 rapid. 



Although an experienced Salmon-fisher may go to a new 

 river and point out most of the good pools, there are many 

 casts he would overlook until one who has fished the stream 

 before, or an attendant, who is acquainted with the river, 

 points them out to him. 



Striking. — There is a great difference of opinion amongst 



