FISHING FOR SALMON 297 



PRESENTING THE SPINNING LURE TO THE SALMON 



In fishing any pool, the speed at which the lure has to be 

 drawn through the water is a matter of considerable 

 importance. The line should be so cast that the lure 

 commences to spin directly it enters the water, and a constant 

 rate of speed should, if possible, be given to it not too 

 fast and not too slow. If you intend to vary the speed of 

 each cast, it is better to impart the greater spin in the first 

 casts, and gradually reduce this speed. 



Don't attempt to cover too much water when casting 

 cover all that part of the river which you think is worth 

 fishing, but without pressing. The best results can be 

 obtained only when keeping the muscular action under per- 

 fect control. Never expend your last half-ounce of force 

 in any athletic effort ; always keep something up your 

 sleeve in other words, don't press. 



The variation of the speed of the lure when fishing a 

 pool is effected in two ways. The first and better way is 

 to slack out or reel in the line by hand. The second is 

 by moving the rod point. As, however, there must always 

 be one best position for the rod when controlling the speed 

 of the lure preventing sagging and while expecting a rise, 

 any movement of the rod away from this position must of 

 necessity be inadvisable if the speed of the lure can be other- 

 wise controlled. 



In spinning I have found it a good plan at times, and when 

 the depth of the water permits, to vary the pace of the lure 

 through the water by a series of half checks given to the rod 

 action. This imparts first a sinking motion and then an 

 accelerated one, the lure moving in a series of little spurts. 



THE RISE OF THE SALMON 



Probably the most anxious moments of the salmon 

 fisherman's experience are those which chronicle the rise 



