274 SALMON AND SEA TROUT FISHING. 



the end in view. Artistic skill and exactitude of 

 execution have yet more and more to exhibit their 

 claims in practical issues and results to priority, and, 

 as in succeeding generations, waters frequented by 

 the salmonidfB family are more heavily and constantly 

 whipped, the results indicated will be the more 

 apparent. To return. 



The rules given under another heading as regards 

 the colour of gut under different conditions, are 

 equally applicable to salmon fishing. Under no 

 circumstances should it be strongly stained, a faint 

 and permanent dye should be employed, no matter 

 what shade may be desired. Good gut is transparent, 

 so should be the stain. We have seen casts black as 

 ink (they frequently having been stewed in that 

 commodity), stretched over the haunt of a salmon 

 vainly, and because so vainly, persistently for a 

 protracted period. Purblind fishermen but seldom 

 meet with purblind fish ; therefore, when a fish is 

 seen to be hooked, fought, and it may be safely 

 gaffed by the next rod on the length, the temporary 

 baffled disciple of the rod strolls or steers for the 

 scene of slaughter to be in at the death. Arrived 

 here he plies the usual query, What fly? which 

 elicits a courteous reply, together with perchance 

 a fly of the kind killing. The black lash is again 

 whirled away, and is allowed to stretch its full length 

 over all the most likely places, till finally the non- 

 plussed and unsuspecting victim grows irritable. The 

 mood intensifies until, in a fit of exasperation the 

 climax is reached, the deleterious lash is snapped 



