SALMON-FISHING 



There is only one method of fishing a cast which one is not likely to 

 pick up from watching an ordinary salmon-fisher, because, except in 

 fishing the Tweed " dubs " from a boat, it forms no part of the common 

 practice, although in effect I have found it very deadly. It consists in fish- 

 ing a stream upwards from the foot instead of downwards from the top; 

 not casting up stream, but rather more across than when moving down, 

 and, as soon as the line is on the water, moving upwards two or three 

 paces after every cast. Where the current is fairly brisk it may be fished 

 first from the top to the bottom in the usual way; then drawing out a few 

 yards more line throw the fly straight across the river and take a couple 

 of steps backwards, continuing the movement till you reach the top of 

 the pool. This is called " backing it up." 



Times without number have I known salmon succumb to these tactics, 

 after showing indifference to the orthodox downstream approach. Whether 

 or no the fly coming up from behind a fish excites his curiosity more 

 forcibly I know not, but certain it is that he is more likely to be securely 

 hooked, owing to the angler's backward movement having taken the 

 bight out of the line. My experience on February 26, 1900, may be cited 

 in favour of this mode of fishing a cast. On that day I had beats 1 and 2 of 

 the Helmsdale river at my disposal. The water was very heavy, and there 

 was a sharp frost in the morning. Beginning at Kilfedder Pool, the lowest 

 cast on No. 2, 1 touched three fish slightly in fishing it down. I then began 

 backing it up, and by the time I got to the top I had five spring salmon 

 on the bank. I then fished down the whole length of No. 1 beat without 

 moving a fish. Having arrived at the bottom of the Flat Pool, the lowest 

 in the river, I backed it up, and again when I reached the top of the pool 

 I had five salmon out. On the way home I fished Saliscraggie stream 

 down, getting an eleventh fish in eleven consecutive rises, and without 

 seeing a kelt all day.* Ten out of these eleven fish were killed in backing 

 up. On this occasion there was the less reason to expect advantage from 

 this method because, owing to the high water, there was plenty of move- 

 ment in all the pools; but in a sluggish river like a great part of the 

 Thurso, it is the only means of covering the water effectively. It was 

 in that river that I learnt the merit of this device long ago; since when I 

 have killed far more salmon in that way than in fishing down, in those 

 rivers where it is possible to cast from the bank. Of course it cannot be 

 done where one has to wade. 



*These were all small spring fish— 11, 10, 9, Si, Si, 8i, 8, 8, 8, 8 and 7 lb. 



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