286 SALMON AND SEA TROUT FISHING. 



are the most important constituents of proficiency in 

 salmon fishing. These it is incumbent upon every 

 angling aspirant to possess in some degree. Upon 

 different waters widely different methods are in vogue 

 as to striking, playing, and gaffing. Impetuosity is bad 

 for sport, as we have endeavoured to point out in well- 

 nigh every phrase of angling, no matter in what way 

 it is displayed. In striking, however, it is in the 

 majority of instances absolutely fatal to the end and 

 aim in view. In the case of the inexperienced, who, 

 failing to put out a good line, strike at the least 

 resemblance to a rise ; this, at the end of a compara- 

 tively short line, has the totally unintended effect 

 of frustrating the intentions of the fish. To try to 

 treat with a rise after the proficient's style, at the 

 extremity of thirty to thirty-five yards of line, 

 is to commit an error ; the conditions are widely 

 diversified, and so are the results. We have devoted 

 some space to the subject of striking in another 

 chapter, and from what is there advanced it may 

 be inferred that it is impossible to pay too much 

 attention to this important point, no matter what 

 may be the conditions of sport. 



When a salmon rises to the fly, it is either with the 

 intention of seizing, or to merely inspect at the 

 dictum of aroused curiosity and if the latter, as 

 it by no means unfrequently is, especially in still 

 and slowly flowing water, it is purely suicidal to 

 jerk back the line and lure, the fish, rest assured, 

 will close upon it if permitted when so minded. 

 Should the appearance of the fish or the evidence 



