1 14 THE SALMON'. 



patience is not the only requisite in salmon- 

 fishing. 



I have said that I greatly prefer a springy rod 

 to a stiff one. This, I know, is contrary to the 

 opinion of many good fishermen; and they say, 

 with truth, that with a springy rod it is impossible 

 to throw a long line against the wind. I answer, 

 like the lodger who met his friend's objection that 

 there wasn't room to swing a cat in his lodgings, by 

 saying he didn't want to swing a cat. I seldom want 

 to throw a long line, and never against the wind. 

 You may sail pretty close to it with such rods as I 

 use, made by Kelly of Dublin ; no better are made, 

 and their pliability is of enormous advantage in 

 such a race as I have just described, rushing madly 

 along over stock and stone, sometimes jumping, 

 sometimes scrambling, sometimes tumbling. It is 

 impossible with a stiff rod to keep that steady, 

 constant hold on the fish which maintains the grip 

 of the hook on the mouth, but the springy yield- 

 ing rod compensates, as it were, for all irregu- 

 larities, by its accommodating elasticity, and I 

 firmly believe, from its persistent, though no doubt 

 weaker strain, kills the fish in less time. I hate 

 the drivelling, tedious, delicate mode of handling 

 a fish practised by many no doubt good fishermen. 

 J read of men being four, five, or six hours killing 



