38 THE SALMON PLY. 



experience in the matter of " presentation " as well as in the right and 

 proper method of striking Salmon. Experience in the use of these hooks 

 gained in a district where they are invariably used with perfection due to 

 long habit, as on tho Tweed, is more likely to prove valuable than merely 

 a few temporary trials of an ordinary description. 



After everything is said and done the fact seems to me indisputable, 

 that in striking from the winch these hooks penetrate and remain fixed 

 immovably in their place. And I maintain that the efficiency of the 

 Lever Winch, which is fully explained in another chapter, has been 

 abundantly proved by its successes. I have only to add here that double 

 hooks are of great value to Anglers. They are generally used until fine 

 tackle is indispensable ; and on the Tweed there is an absolute unanimity 

 of opinion in their favour, for not only amateurs these the foremost 

 amateurs but people of all ranks use them up to a certain size, even in 

 the lowest and brightest waters possible. It should, however, be borne 

 in mind that people can be easily mistaken in regard to striking Salmon. 

 Some think and say they never strike at all, though I must incidentally 

 remark that I have never yet seen any Fisherman fail to put the hook into 

 the fish by an uplifting of the rod. If that is not striking, I really do not 

 know what is. 



Gut-loops should always be made of the best gut twisted tightly, as 

 explained in Chapter VIII., and provided always that they are stout 

 enough and small enough, gut-loops, sufficiently twisted, will last longer 

 than the flies themselves. In renewing a fly, I use mine again and again, 

 doubling the gut at a different part. 



The Tag is a valuable component in a fly. It plays a prominent 

 part in the tout ensemble of mobility. The fly is usually seen by the fish 

 from the rear, so that the " tag " is the point of the body nearest to him, 

 and dominates the perspective of the whole. Kemove the "tag," and the 

 character of the fly, when viewed from that position, is often entirely 

 changed. 



Again, the " tag " is of importance in assisting the taper of the body, 

 and in covering the part of the hook that must otherwise remain bare ; 

 for, as a rule, the body could not be extended to greater length to fill the 

 place without disturbing the safe and proper proportions of the fly. 



