ROD * CREEL 19 



CHAPTER III. 

 FLY FISHING FOR SALMON 



A FEW years ago trolling was considered the only way to 

 catch the Pacific Coast salmon; then spinning was discov- 

 ered to be a successful method. There were, however, a 

 few men who always used a fly and others who occasionally 

 did, but it has never been followed up as it should, though it 

 is a pretty well acknowledged fact that the cohoe salmon will 

 take the fly freely and the spring salmon occasionally, if it is 

 presented to them properly. 



It is, of course, quite useless to go out into the sea and 

 cast a fly where the fish are too deep to be taken except by 

 trolling. If, however, you choose shallow water, similar to that 

 described for spinning, or even anchor your boat out on the 

 line of a run of cohoes when they are swimming in schools 

 near the surface, you will hook fish if you only persevere. Sir 

 John Rogers, who came here all the way from Egypt especially 

 to catch tyees at Campbell River, used sometimes at half tide 

 when the current was too swift for trolling, to anchor his boat 

 off a point he knew the fish passed and use a fly. He killed a 

 great many cohoes in this way and had grand sport with them 

 in the racing torrent. His fly was a "Silver Doctor." 



The best places, however, to fish for salmon in salt water 

 are at the mouths of any small creeks up which they go to 

 spawn. If there has been a dry spell the cohoes and some 

 springs congregate there waiting for enough water to go up. 

 Not only can you catch salmon but an occasional big trout can 

 be caught. The end of September and beginning of October is 

 the time to try such places. 



As soon as there has been a good freshet most of the fish 

 go up the streams and you can then get them in fresh water. 



The Rod. If you are going to fish for salmon with a fly, 

 do not use your trout rod, as even if it stands the strain of a 

 few fish yon are bound to ruin it before long. 



Use a double-handed fourteen foot rod at least; it need not 

 be an expensive split cane, a good greenheart will do quite well. 



The Reel. Either a spinning or trolling reel will serve. 



The Line. With a good tapered silk line you will find 

 your casting twice as easy and for fresh water fishing you 

 should have one. Forty yards of casting line is enough, but it 

 should have another forty yards of backing. 



