SALMON FLIES 

 rivers ran as straight as a Roman road, lie would only have to adjust 

 his lures to the changes in the sun's position; but salmon rivers run most 

 wanton courses, bending east and west, north and south, in a manner most 

 disconcerting to the theorist; wherefore, praiseworthy as is Dr Ward's 

 diligence in observation, and lucidly as Mr Sheringham has explained 

 his conclusions therefrom, I, having but a very limited number of fishing 

 seasons before me, despair of adjusting my practice to the niceties of sub- 

 aqueous optics, and must needs continue under the impression received 

 during the many fishing seasons behind me, which is that neither colour nor 

 material in flies affects in the slightest degree the salmon-fisher's success, 

 but that size of fly and reasonably life-like motion are all important. 



My friend Mr P. D. Malloch described to me an instance which came 

 under his own observation, and which bears upon the problem of what 

 may attract a salmon. Looking over the parapet of a bridge — ^I think it was 

 on the Tummel — he saw a couple of salmon lying in the pool beneath him. 

 He felt in his pockets for something to throw to them, but he could find 

 no more suitable missile than a peppermint drop, which he sent down. 

 As it went twirling towards the bottom, one of the salmon moved slowly 

 towards it, took it in its mouth, and presently expelled it. Had there 

 been a hook in that simple sweetmeat, what a vogue might have been 

 established for the novel lure! 



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