ODDS AND ENDS 



Slaughter point. But, in the ordinary way, each successive 

 shot is more or less Hke its predecessor ; while each fish, from 

 start to finish, is quite distinct from its fellows. 



Further, the actual gratification of the particular shot is 

 speedily obscured by the next ; and the ordinary hit or miss 

 dwells but momentarily in the memory. But each fish pursued, 

 whether caught or not, is a distinct and individual item ; while 

 the pleasure, the interest, and the satisfaction connected with 

 its capture is prolonged over an appreciable time. In dry- 

 fly fishing the river must be scanned, a rise discovered, an 

 approach effected, the cast made ; the fish must be risen and 

 hooked, played and landed, the interest and excitement rising 

 crescendo. The salmon pool must be carefully and accu- 

 rately covered. Each cast is distinct ; each moment is occu- 

 pied 'twixt hope and fear, waiting for the thrilling pull to 

 come. The jumping salmon, even though its brethren may be 

 unconscionably reluctant to rise, guarantee that there are fish 

 about, and keep mind and hand alert. 



And compare even the evil days which do unhappily befall 

 in connection with either sport. A disastrous day's fishing 

 is exasperating enough ; but a day's shooting, in which every- 

 thing has gone wrong, including the weather, is far more 

 depressing. 



Further, a blank day, which to sportsmen in any other 

 field is anathema, may have been to the fisherman full of in- 

 terest and enjoyment. He would rather, of course, have caught 

 some fish ; but he is often content even if he has not, for most 

 of the day he thought, and he hoped, that he would catch fish. 



5 



