240 SALMON AND TROUT. 



PLAYING A SALMON. 



Of all the delights of an angler's experience, there is nothing 

 to compare with that of ' rising ' and hooking a salmon. 



The rise of a big salmon to your fly is electrifying in its 

 effect. There is a moment of intense uncertainty and suspense 

 as he disappears after having risen, and you are awaiting the 

 result. . . . He has missed it ! Your face is as pale as death, 

 and you sit down unable to stand from sheer excitement. 

 You have to wait a minute or two before you make another 

 cast. All cares and troubles, all thoughts of everything and 

 everybody, even of the wife of your bosom, are cast to the 

 winds during those glorious moments of uncertainty ; your 

 whole soul is bound up for the time being with the silvery 

 monster you have roused from his stronghold. Perhaps the 

 idea comes across you that your fly is too big, and with trem- 

 bling hands you change it for a smaller one. Watch in hand, 

 with an impatient longing to be at him again, you wait till the 

 allotted time has elapsed. ' Time is up,' and you rise to again 

 try your luck. You may be an old hand, and no outward sign 

 will betray the beating of your heart, as you proceed to cast 

 over your fish with the same unerring precision as before, as if 

 apparently nothing had happened, and you were only commen- 

 cing to fish the pool. Or perhaps the excitement will be too 

 much for you, and trembling from head to foot scarcely able 

 to hold your rod you will make your cast, but Jiow you will 

 never remember. With eager eyes starting almost out of their 

 sockets, you watch the progress of your fly as it comes nearer 

 and nearer to where you rose your fish. ' He should come 

 now,' is your mental ejaculation, and quick almost as the thought 

 a swirl or perhaps a scarcely perceptible wave in the water will 

 betray the presence of your prey. One more moment of 

 intense uncertainty and suspense ; you feel a slight pull, then 

 your line tightens, your fly of your own making, in which you 

 took such pride, has done it; 'you are in him! ' A thrill of 



