148 ANGLING & ART IN SCOTLAND 



ment in the playing and landing part of the business. 

 When John made this statement to me, I questioned 

 him further, suggesting, in that case, that it did not 

 matter to him whether the fish were subsequently 

 landed, or lost. But he then showed a certain in- 

 consistency, inasmuch as he confessed that, after 

 hooking a fish and handing the rod to another 

 party, should the salmon break away, he would feel 

 absolutely miserable for the rest of the day. 



I have heard of other lordly sportsmen who 

 consider, having hooked a salmon, that the en- 

 suing proceedings have little interest for them, and 

 merely hand over the rod to an attendant for him 

 to despatch the fish — an action which is beyond 

 the comprehension of most mortals. It is no 

 doubt very well to feel that you have hooked a 

 salmon nicely ; but in about five cases out of six, 

 the fish is invisible when he takes the fly, con- 

 sequently there is very little skill exercised, or 

 excitement gained, in the fact of hooking him. The 

 skill lies in the casting, and in the management of 

 the fish after he is hooked ; and the excitement is 

 caused by the wish to know what his size may be, 

 and by the uncertainty of being able to predict 

 what course of behaviour he may adopt to free 



