254 SALMON AND TROUT. 



growing upon it to make a basket to carry him home. The 

 weight of the fish has never been ascertained, and it is justly 

 supposed never will be. I think it right to state that the 

 Major was not the author of the story. 



I have made no specific reference in this article to fly 

 fishing for any of the Salmonidcz except the true salmon, Saline 

 salar. 



Of the two other migratory species, the bull trout, Salnio 

 eriox, and the sea or salmon trout, Salnio trutta, the former 

 possesses very limited interest for the fly fisher, and in regard 

 to the comparatively few rivers in which it will rise to the arti- 

 ficial fly the general observations which are here offered on 

 salmon fly fishing will be found applicable. 



Sea-trout fishing, on the contrary, takes, as a sport, rank 

 next to salmon fishing itself. In many parts of England and 

 Wales, and over most of the districts of Scotland and Ireland, 

 the sea trout, under this or some local name, is known and fished 

 for. As in its relative size standing in this respect between 

 brown trout and salmon so in the tackle, flies and rods em- 

 ployed in its capture, the bright gamesome Salino trutta occu- 

 pies a sort of half-way house between the two species. The 

 most convenient-sized rod, whether for lake or river fishing, 

 will be found to be what is known as a double-handed trout rod, 

 from 13 feet to 16 feet in length, and carrying a reel and line 

 similar to that used for salmon- fishing, but smaller and lighter 

 to suit the shorter and less powerful weapon. As to the mode 

 of using the rod, casting, &c., the instructions given in regard 

 to salmon fishing hold good almost in their entirety, as also those 

 on gaffing, netting, and so forth. 



With respect to the flies used, which again stand midway 

 between salmon flies and brown trout flies ranging from the 

 ordinary sized lake trout fly up to a large grilse or small salmon 

 fly there can hardly be said to be any generally known or 

 accepted standard patterns. Almost every locality (I might say 

 almost every fisherman) has its own patterns and ideas. The 

 only point in which there can be said to be the smallest approach 



