INDIFFERENCE AND ITS ISSUES. 287 



of a rise be accompanied by a tug of the line, you 

 may then safely strike, speedily and with moderate 

 force. The measured stroke varies mainly with the 

 distance, as when this is short, the stroke should be 

 short too ; but a small tug of the rod's upper portion 

 with a taut line will serve to send the hook well 

 home into the fish. The mouth of a salmon, it 

 should ever be remembered, partakes more of the 

 delicate outline whether internal or external of 

 the adult grayling upon an enlarged scale, rather 

 than that of the trout, and is therefore still less to 

 be confounded with the heavily armed pike. With 

 a bold rising salmon every chance of good vantage 

 ground is afforded the fisherman at the onset, and 

 he assuredly has very seldom ulterior causes for 

 complaint or blame in the event of miscarriage in 

 the course of treatment imposed. Occasionally it 

 may be that in the rapid dash for the fly he misses, 

 turns or doubles, and takes in thorough style at the 

 next offer. This is more exemplified in rapid run- 

 ning water, or where the fly is "worked" somewhat 

 energetically over the fish's lair. Even here, keenness 

 of perception, a quick hand and eye, with an exercise 

 of prudential patience, will more surely yield 

 success. The amount of force to be employed, as we 

 have said, depends wholly upon circumstances, such 

 as the intervening distance, the loose state or 

 otherwise of the line, and the characteristics of the 

 rod. Each of these several points materially bear 

 upon the case, and have to be calculated upon at the 

 moment of action. 



