286 SALMON-FISHING 



in contact almost with the channel of the river, other- 

 wise it will not prove attractive to the fish. On com- 

 pleting its range, the angler shonld allow it to hing, as 

 it were, for a few seconds in subjection to the current, 

 and when recovering, in order to renew the cast, should 

 do so with extreme caution and deliberation. 



When a check occurs, no matter from what cause 

 it may, on the instant, be imagined to proceed, he 

 ought at once to give line, not merely exhausting what 

 he has in preparation, but dealing out ungrudgingly 

 a further supply from his reel, and this by means of 

 the hand, so that it may run off easily, and, as it were, 

 humour the movements of a supposed fish. The check 

 itself may very possibly be occasioned by collision of 

 the plummets with some stone or jut of rock, or it 

 may proceed from the interference of a trout or eel, 

 but this being quite uncertain, the angler has himself 

 to blame, should he, by dealing with it as such and un- 

 circumspectedly, give opportunity for a good fish to 

 escape. In general, however, I may remark, a mere 

 check or stoppage is not the usual indication of a fish 

 having seized the worm. What takes place has more 

 the nature of an attack, quick and vigorous as is that 

 of the pike on a running bait. The progress of the 

 hook downwards is disturbed by a violent jerk or pull, 

 sometimes in the direction of the current, but as 

 frequently to the side, towards the lair or retreat of 

 the salmon. Should this attack on the bait be met 

 with unresistingly by the angler, and sufficient line 

 allowed on the occasion, it will generally, after a short 

 pause, become repeated, with less violence indeed, but 

 with more earnestness and effect. In the interval 

 between the charges, however, care must be taken to 

 sustain and give an animated appearance to the worms. 



