262 ON SALMON-FISHING WITH THE FLY. 



than common river trout, and by no means so sharp- 

 eyed as bull-trout and whitlings. These frequently take 

 the hook well in waters considerably discoloured, and 

 refuse it when the streams have resumed their ordinary 

 size and transparency. It is otherwise with salmon, 

 whose visual organs are generally, under such circum- 

 stances, unable to detect the transit of the fly over 

 currents comparatively shallow ; nor will they attempt 

 to seize it or look out for prey, until the flood or fresh 

 has very much subsided, and the floating particles of 

 opake matter, consequent on such swell, are entirely at 

 rest. But, although I have every reason to believe that 

 the salmon is not quite such a quick or sharp-sighted 

 fish as some give it the credit of being, and that, even 

 in the clearest water, it is unable to detect the passing 

 of the fly at a depth and distance from its retreat exceed- 

 ing twelve feet, yet, should the lure employed hit its 

 fancy, it will, if inconvenient to attempt seizing it owing 

 to the rapidity of the current or other cause, follow the 

 hook round over a space of many yards, until a position 

 and rate of speed have been acquired by the latter, which 

 either encourage the endeavour to take hold of it, or 

 lead to the detection of its nature, as a guile or artifice. 

 This, however, is a mode of procedure on the part of the 

 fish by no means invariable; for salmon will often make 

 for the fly the moment it is perceived, nay, in some 

 instances, the instant it alights on the surface ; besides, 

 there are many casts or salmon-throws which do not 

 admit of travelling the hook at all, such as the narrow 

 heads and hings which frequently preface deep, ragged 

 water, also confined places, formed by break-waters and 

 cairns, &c. &c. Into water of this description, the fly 

 should be heaved with care and lightness, so as not to 

 alarm the fish. As to its primary movements, allow the 



