464: MANUAL FOR YOTJNG SPORTSMEN. 



motion must be carried out with as much power as the 

 fisher considers his tackle will bear ; always remembering 

 to give way by releasing the line, when the strain is too 

 great for it to bear, and when the fish is resolutely bent 

 upon running. But this exact calculation as to restrain- 

 ing or giving way is sometimes very difficult, especially as 

 the size of the fish is no certain index to his power ; nor 

 can the size always be correctly estimated at the first 

 commencement of the struggle, especially by the tyro at 

 this kind of sport. A lively and fresh-run fish will appear 

 twice as big as he really is, whilst a large but dull one will 

 sometimes deceive his pursuer into the belief that he is 

 weak and powerless, and then, in a fit of desperation, he 

 will show his real size and capabilities by breaking away 

 with a long line towing astern. Mr. Stoddart's directions 

 for playing the salmon are so good, that I am tempted to 

 quote them in his own words : " Always in running a 

 fish, keep well up to, or, if possible, at right angles with 

 its head. In the event of its taking across the current, 

 instead of stemming or descending it, give the butt with- 

 out reserve. In the case of a plunge or somerset, slacken 

 line as quickly as possible, but lose no time in recovering 

 it when the danger is over. When fish are plentiful, and 

 in the humor to take the fly, it is better to risk the loss 

 of an indifferent-sized individual which you happen to have 

 hooked, than to allow a long range of unfished water to 

 become disturbed through its capricious movements. In 

 this case stint the line and hold on obdurately, but not 

 beyond the presumed strength of your tackle. During 

 the grilse season there are many portions of water, on 



