ON RIVERS 67 



be enraged. He may be frolicsome. Which? If 

 he be inquisitive, what shapes and hues and sizes 

 pique him ? If he be irritable, what are they that 

 infuriate ? If he be playful, by what good luck do 

 we tickle his humour ? The questions have only to 

 be stated in order that their nature may be perceived. 

 They are not definitely soluble. Our own motives 

 are often so obscure that any endeavour to elucidate 

 the motives of a fish would be ridiculous. At 

 any rate, The Psychology of Salmon is no subject 

 for this hesitating quill. Fortunately, there seems 

 to be considerable reason for believing that it may 

 be eschewed with confidence. Although we cannot 

 tell whether a salmon has temper, or curiosity, or 

 a sense of fun, we need not, in despair, abandon 

 the study of his ways. It is beyond all question, 

 I think, that often, when we come upon him in river 

 or lake, he is in a mood to eat or to try to eat. He 

 may not be able to eat, but he thinks he is. That 

 is something to be reckoned with. Besides, it is all 

 we have to go upon. 



As regards flies, it is not much. I allude to flies 

 such as those which are pictorially presented at the 

 beginning of this volume. These were made by 

 Mr. P. D. Malloch, Perth, who is a supreme master 

 of all the lore, craft, and handicraft of salmon fishing. 

 In every respect they are absolutely perfect. The 

 steels, of proper bend, were made and tempered and 

 sharpened specially for the purpose of this book. 

 The feathers, the furs, the hackles, the silks, and the 

 tinsels are of the finest. The busking is exquisite. 



