264 Salmon-Fishing. 



The eight-plait tapered silk lines are the best in 

 use; they cast much better than hair, take up 

 less room on the reel, are less liable to catch when 

 running out, and do not absorb so much water. A 

 triple gut casting-line of two yards or so, hand- 

 made, or machine-twisted and carefully tapered, 

 connects the silk with the gut-line proper, which 

 should itself measure three or four yards. The 

 total length of gut must be a little less than that 

 of the rod, so that when, on landing a fish, the 

 reel-line is rolled up to its junction with the gut, 

 the salmon will be quite within reach. For salmon- 

 fishing one fly on the gut is sufficient; when, how- 

 ever, sea-trout may be expected, I use two of a 

 smaller size. Before beginning operations let the 

 angler see that all his tackle is in perfect order, 

 that there is no weak strand of gut, and no false 

 connections; for as the prize is great, so are the 

 risks involved. 



Salmon are always angled for down-stream. A 

 good long line is required, especially in fishing with 

 fly ; but the precise length will, of course, depend 

 on the size of the river. Many anglers boast of the 

 distance to which they can cast their fly: but to 

 cast out a line is one thing; to fish it properly 

 when cast, and to recover it when spent, so as to 

 effect a second throw, are other and very different 

 things. Practice may do much to perfect skill, but 



