268 SALMON AND SEA TROUT FISHING. 



proficiency in both is the reward of constant practice, 

 and of that only. 



Some anglers acquire a certain right, and in some 

 instances left-hand cast, and acting up to an orthodox 

 system, swing without deviation upon all occa- 

 sions. The thing to do is, as we have elsewhere 

 stated, to adapt one's self to the situation at all times, 

 and learn to handle the tools so as to cast in any 

 direction requisite to reach the fish. It is an endless 

 source of pleasure to the adept to test his powers of 

 casting under more than ordinarily difficult circum- 

 stances. He well knows that assiduous application 

 to this matter is repaid by exceptional sport, and 

 that too, when but little is doing in the well thrashed 

 open. 



When a fish is hooked, the variety of expedients 

 resorted to is frequently considerable, one of the most 

 common is that of "jiggering." In this a side to side 

 motion is described by the line in the water. This is 

 caused by the fish endeavouring to rake or rub out the 

 hook in the bed of the water, or upon a flag or sub- 

 merged stone. It is believed by some to be caused 

 by the mere shaking of the fish's head in mid-water, 

 but this is pure nonsense. We have watched the 

 action of jiggering fish in clear water often, at 

 almost every angle, and have generally found that a 

 continued "jigger" bodes ill for the consummation 

 of the capture. During a late visit to the Hebrides 

 we experienced a rather striking instance of this. 

 Upon the occasion in question we had hooked a good 

 salmon, but at the expiration of two-thirds of an hour 



