How to Fish for Salmon, 1 7 



rivers, or rather I should say every fly fisher, has his 

 own particular pets, and will fish as a rule with none 

 other. A good fly will generally take in all rivers, but 

 the old fish, who have been some little time in the 

 fresh water, have their fads and require " ticing." The 

 weather has also to be considered as much as the water. 

 Senior Angler says : " One of the received rules for 

 salmon fly fishing may perhaps hold good ; viz., that 

 a small and sad-coloured fly is to be preferred in a 

 bright and shallow water ; a large and gaudy one in 

 discoloured or very deep rapid water or on a bluster- 

 ing day. The salmon, like the grayling, lies at the 

 bottom even when prepared to rise; in stormy 

 weather therefore, or in discoloured water, he cannot 

 see a small, dull, unobtrusive fly. In such cases, 

 large and gaudy is your only chance." In his Intro- 

 duction he says, " Obstinacy is the vice of little minds ; 

 Credulity, the failing of little experience ; and 

 Prejudice a villanous compound of both. 



* The force of Nature could no further go, 

 To form a third, she join'd the other two.' 



" * Why do you persevere in using that fly when 

 nothing will look at it } ' said I. 



" Obstinacy went on thrashing the water with 

 greater vigour than ever. 



" * Why do you persevere in using that fly V said I. 



*' * I read of its being good,' said Credulity. 

 C 



