SALMON FISHING 199 



in the afternoon. I remember one March when 

 this happened for several successive days, and in 

 consequence we invariably hooked one or two 

 salmon at the same hour in the afternoon. As 

 long as the frost lasted, this was the only good 

 hour of the day, but it was a certainty. The 

 only drawback was that the slight thaw and rise 

 of water brought down a quantity of small 

 detached pieces of soft ice, which interfered with 

 the working of the fly, and were often caught by 

 the hook. 



There are other days in March which are 

 typical of spring, very bright, and caressing one 

 with warm breezes. Then one sees the grouse 

 in pairs walking about tamely, the cock bird 

 with a crimson crown, full of play and pride, 

 and showing off with various antics ; while the 

 clear air vibrates with the most wonderful of all 

 the notes of birds, the prolonged spring notes 

 of curlews, the most healing sound that ever was, 

 full of rest and joy. 



One great charm of the actual fishing for 

 salmon is found no doubt in casting right out 

 into dark rushing water; in having to do with 

 the full force of a strong river instead of with 



