310 FLY FISHING AND SPINNING 



Do not cast your fly any further than is necessary to 

 cover the likely water of the pool or river you are fishing. 

 Try and fish your water by casting as much as possible down 

 stream. The more you throw your line across the stream, 

 the greater the chances of a sagging line. Across and down 

 you must cast, but down as much as possible. 



The salmon fly which is most deadly is that which is 

 fished on the straightest line. 



When into a fish have your line well reeled in and keep 

 as near to the fish as possible ; also do not let your line 

 drag in the water. 



A slack line leads to danger, and it also prevents your 

 bringing pressure to bear at once on a fish which has taken 

 the fly. 



As the salmon comes in towards you, be as still as a statue, 

 and when you are certain of your fish then gaff it. 



Keep the point of your gaff sharp. 



Carefully examine and test your fly and cast after killing 

 a fish. 



Movement can most easily be given to the fly at the end 

 of a straight short line. With a long line much of the 

 impulse given to the rod will be lost ere it reaches the 

 fly. 



When a fish sulks, do not let him rest or foul your line, 

 but alter your position on the bank if possible as soon as 

 you can, until you are opposite or below the fish, and if you 

 then bring your rod sideways upstream and well back, you 

 will soon move him. 



When fishing the lower reaches of any salmon river, and 

 when the water is discoloured, or the river full, heavy rods, 



