CHAPTER VI 



FISHING THE SALMON FLY IN LOW WATER 



THERE is little difficulty in fishing a salmon 

 fly, when the river is in good volume 

 and colour. The real difficulty commences 

 when the water gets low and clear ; in the main, 

 the method employed in both cases is the same, 

 with variations, however, which are more im- 

 portant than the general body of anglers imagine. 

 To fish a fly properly in a stream, under even the 

 most favourable conditions, it is necessary to pre- 

 sent it so that the fish see it. It is useless if 

 presented so that the current sweeps it away 

 from them, and therefore it should be held to 

 them as it were ; that is, the fly should be cast 

 and manipulated in such a manner as to hang 

 on the " lie " of the fish a reasonable time. This 

 can only be accomplished successfully, when the 

 angler is sufficiently near and above the " lie " 

 to command it from the point of his rod. 



Casting from a boat is generally easy, as the 

 ghillie if he knows the water, can hold his boat 

 on the exact spot. In wading, however, it is 

 often difficult, and more so when using a short 



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