308 ROD AND RIVER 



the hands of a skilful fisherman, can be made to 

 appear very attractive and life-like. 



Now, it is impossible to impart the required 

 motion to a salmon-fly if it is cast up or directly 

 across the stream. It must swim truly with and 

 parallel to the flow of the water in the particular 

 portion of the stream in which it may happen 

 to be at the time, i.e., parallel to the current 

 it is being worked in. Hence the necessity for 

 fishing down-stream, or as nearly directly so as 

 possible. The fly is drawn down stream by the 

 action of the water, and the top of the rod being 

 worked gently and slowly up and down, as it 

 follows the course of the fly, causes the fly to 

 dart upwards against the stream when the upward 

 motion is given, and allows it to fall back with the 

 downward one. In the former the fibres are 

 drawn together, and close ; in the latter they 

 reopen. 



In order to use a salmon-rod properly, it must 

 be held properly. In other words, it must be 

 held in the position which, while allowing its 

 full powers to be utilized, admits of their being 

 extracted with the least possible exertion to the 

 user. It must be properly balanced. 



Nearly all beginners make the mistake of hold- 

 ing a salmon-rod with their hands placed too 

 closely together. This method necessitates the 

 employment of a considerable amount of physical 



