SECRETS OF THE SALMON 



and leader are below the surface of the water and 

 scare the fish as they pass over them. And in fish- 

 ing a pool with a wet fly the line and leader neces- 

 sarily cover the whole pool. It is hard to realize 

 the alarming effect of a line and leader on a salmon, 

 especially if it is close to him. On the other hand, 

 a line on the surface of the water has no such effect 

 on him if it does not pass directly over him. A 

 salmon probably will not move much from his 

 position, but it will be impossible to get him to 

 come after he is once alarmed unless a considerable 

 time intervenes. It is probably for this reason 

 that it is customary to rest a fish which had raised 

 short. In my own experience I do this only if he 

 has risen in such a way that I am sure he saw the 

 line and leader; if not, I cast again at once. If he 

 does not come again at once I try to make the fly 

 pass the place at a different speed. Such a fish 

 evidently wanted the fly. I cannot see why he 

 should want it any less because he has made a try 

 for it, but if he saw anything to alarm him, there 

 is every reason for him not to come any more; 

 the only chance is to wait until he has forgotten 

 his alarm and returns to his former position. 



The place where a wet fly strikes the water with 

 reference to the position of the salmon, is most 



[ 72 ] 



