118 ANGLING FOE GAME FISH. 



di-aw the fly; but in that case the water will probably be deep, 

 and the fly will have to be well sunk. In swift water, 

 working the fly is not necessary, but in slow or dead water I 

 certainly think it should be worked quietly. The proper way to 

 fish a pool is to commence at the head, and fish it foot by foot. 

 It is often very important to sink the fly well. If the fish 

 will not come to the fly, the fly must go to the fish, even 

 if a shot or two has to be pinched on to the line to take it 

 there. In very clear, deep water, salmon may often be caught 

 by sinking the fly almost on to their noses, and then working 

 it slowly along with alternate sinks and draws, never bringing it 

 to the surface. If the fish are shy, try various plans : Draw 

 the fly slowly, then fast ; work it slowly, fast, and not at all ; 

 sink it, draw it near the surface — in short, tempt the fish by all 

 the means in your power. Above all, do not leave off because 

 the fish do not seem to be in the humour ; they may " come on" 

 at any moment. Salmon seem to care very little for the water 

 over them being whipped, and it sometimes seems as if they 

 could be worried into taking the fly. You need never think 

 that, because you have cast over a pool and risen no fish, 

 there are none in it, or at least no rising fish. Fish on, and if 

 your fly is about the right size, you will probably succeed. 



If a fish rises, and misses the fly, he should be given a 

 short rest — about a quarter of a minute, but rather longer in 

 swift water than where the stream is gentle. Then cast 

 again, a little above the place where he rose, and, if that fails, 

 try a little lower down stream. Then, if still he comes not, 

 change the fly, and try a smaller one of the same pattern, 

 followed by other flies of various patterns. As a last re- 

 source, leave him until the evening, and then try him again. 

 In rather still water, I am inclined to think that, if a salmon 

 rises short, the fly should be at once changed for a smaller 

 one of the same or another pattern, because, in quiet waters, 

 a fish usually comes up quietly, and can inspect the fly ; there- 

 fore, if he does not take it, it may be presumed he does not 

 like the look of it. When fishing over a pool a second time, 

 it is generally a good plan to change the fly. Always be care- 

 ful to see that the fly does not swim on its back or side. On 



