AND HOW I HAVE CAUGHT MY FISH 281 



is of the utmost importance, and so difficult to 

 determine that the experiences of to-day may be 

 no guide to the morrow's decision. It is very 

 generally admitted that spring fish lie deep during 

 the months of January and February, and that, to 

 move them, baits must be sunk somewhat to their 

 level. It may also be accepted as a fact that while 

 they may rise and follow the first bait offered, they 

 will often in their hesitation allow it to pass ; then, 

 regretting their indecision, fairly rush at the second 

 offer. So much is this so that a boat following 

 closely in the wake of another is frequently more 

 successful than the leading one. With these data 

 to help you how to work out the problem of what is 

 best to be done to make your chances as great as 

 possible, you will arrive at the conclusion that by 

 fishing at three different depths instead of at two 

 you will be doing your best in that direction, and 

 will then be at liberty to consider how best to 

 arrange your baits so as to give the salmon a chance 

 to rise and refuse one of your baits and still be 

 able to alter his mind in favour of another of them, 

 which is some forty yards in the rear as yet. 



You need two fourteen-feet rods with fine dark 

 blue silk lines, a very small Geen's lead and 9 ft. of 

 wire attached, first to the leads and then to the 

 swivel of your bait. The rod near the shore should 

 have out 50 yards, and the outer rod 70, with a 

 slightly increased weight of lead. 



In addition to this you should be provided with 



