Fly Fishing for Salmon, 1 1 



of the line doing all you can, and putting all your 

 experience to the test, to keep and bring to bank 

 the prize you covet. The fish at the other end, 

 with all his knowledge of the rocks and bad places 

 at the bottom of the river, doing all he can to circum- 

 vent you. Veteran or no veteran, a man who 

 cannot appreciate such a fight is not to be envied. 

 And, after that mighty rush, the reel still spinning 

 round at such a pace as makes your heart jump 

 into your mouth, what a determined effort he makes 

 to reach some stone or snag which you know must 

 break or cut your line, and then, after a slight pause, 

 with skilful management the strain is put on. An 

 anxious moment ; he gives, but oh ! how slowly, how 

 reluctantly. The question still remains who is to 

 conquer. You feel your power as you wind up ; 

 you see his silver side ; you know there will be yet 

 one or two terrific struggles for life as he gets a 

 glimpse of you and the gaff; then comes the final 

 rush, the line paying out inch by inch. It is over ! 

 Another roll or two and he is on the bank ; — and then 

 the soothing pipe whilst you study his fine propor- 

 tions. But — and there is a but — it may be all 

 " t'other way," — the fish may be your master. After 

 leading you a dance, straining your arms with half 

 an hour's sulk under a stone, he suddenly wakes up, 

 begins to think he has had enough of this, takes 

 you down the river nolens volens, through runs and 



