26 FLY-FISHING. 



of Salmon-fishing lies in the " rise" which is 

 certainly magnificent and the only difficulty of 

 the capture, as a rule, consists in the " stroke." 

 So much is this the case, that I have known 

 veteran Salmon-fishers, who, when Salmon were 

 plentiful, made it a habit to resign the rod into 

 the hands of an assistant after checking the first 

 rush or two. But who ever heard of the Trout- 

 fisher adopting such a practice ? Not that I 

 blame the Salmon-fisher ; for though I never could 

 bring myself to follow in this respect the example 

 of men who were doubtless better anglers than 

 myself, yet it must be confessed that there have 

 been moments when I felt sorely tempted to do 

 so. Wielding an 18- or 2O-foot rod for five or 

 six hours consecutively is apt to tire even the 

 strongest muscles ; and as I have said, as a rule, 

 the cream of the sport is over when the fish is 

 fairly struck, and his first wild rush or two met 

 and mastered. Still Salmon-fishing is a gallant 

 game, fit for the persevering spirits and strong 

 arms that play it ; and it has, too, its gleams of 

 triumph and excitement, the more intensely bright 

 perhaps partly from their very shortness. 



But to return to the first part of my sub- 

 ject, 



