SALMON. 17 



The length of the rod should be from sixteen 

 to twenty feet, which, however, may be regu- 

 lated according to the breadth of the river in 

 which he pursues his amusement. The reel, 

 which should be large, is a most material ap- 

 pendage to the rod, and is made of brass ; it 

 must be constructed with the utmost nicety, 

 and rendered capable of the swiftest circumvo- 

 lutions. The line, which is to be fastened to 

 the reel, may be composed either of strong silk, 

 or twisted horse-hair without knots, and about 

 thirty or forty yards in length ; at the end of 

 this line must be a loop, to which you can at- 

 tach a cast line of a convenient length for 

 throwing, (say, ten or twelve yards,) this cast- 

 line must be about twenty hairs thick at the 

 top, and gradually diminish as it approaches 

 the gut bottom to which the flies or other baits 

 are affixed. The bottom must be made either 

 of strong silk-worm gut, or grass. The artifi- 

 cial flies should generally be of large dimensions, 

 and of a gaudy glittering colour ; the Dragon 

 fly, and King's Fisher, are particularly adapted 

 for Salmon fishing, (both of which are described 

 in this volume,) although they will take almost 

 any of the flies used for Trout. The angler 

 should imitate principally the natural flies found 

 on such rivers where Salmon abound ; but he 

 may safely indulge his fancy, rather than depart 



