1 34 Salmon Fishing. 



the old beaten track. He is seldom without 

 sufficient discernment to detect as the water 

 rises and falls, that there are many nooks and 

 corners where a fish may be got, few beside him 

 care to try. Besides, without being a slave to 

 pattern-flies, he may be able to select one in 

 preference to another, that will prove more 

 successful, when he calls to mind the colour, 

 size, and general character of those, he has 

 already killed the most fish with. 



In nine cases out of ten, I have observed, 

 that he who is perpetually prating of the 

 fabulous length of line he can throw, and of the 

 particular flies he uses with such wondrous 

 success, is in reality a very indifferent performer 

 when thrown into daily competition with those 

 who have little to say about themselves, though 

 by no means little to show in the way of fish. 



There is something in this favourite pastime 

 of ours that seems, I fear, to call forth a stronger 

 disposition to exaggerate, than usually prevails 

 in other sports. If it be not so, how does it so 



