PHYSICAL CONDITIONS. 249 



Brushing aside these considerations and coming direct to the 

 questions at issue, I say plainly, that while the laws which govern the 

 Salmon in his choice of the composition and presentation of the flies he 

 sees are enveloped in mystery, the recurrence ana operation of the 

 respective conditions which have induced us to adapt certain principles 

 are so easily perceived and detected that, to a great extent, we have 

 become familiarised to their ever-varying mature. This of itself is enough 

 to show that the true pleasures of angling consist first, in grasping 

 natural facts ; secondly, in so encountering these facts as to render them 

 remunerative to the very utmost extent. The truth is that Science is 

 only just now beginning to unfold her wonders. At some far off period, 

 perhaps, all the present lines of inquiry will have been followed to their 

 conclusion, and new ones, as yet undreamt of, opened up. 



Be that as it may, I am fully of opinion that we possess ample 

 evidence to justify us in reconciling ourselves to the statement that some 

 secret force is apt to affect the fish's physical organisation ; yet it would 

 puzzle a world of scientists to say where this sympathy lies, and what is 

 the connecting link between the fish's psychical inertia and its physical 

 sensations. 



It is not my intention to discuss the subject which I have associated 

 with these inert fish at any great length ; still, I am bound to direct the 

 angling student to the best means for their capture. He will doubtless be 

 interested to hear that certain flies have been tested for many years 

 with highly satisfactory results. Two of the most remarkable patterns 

 have to be more or less varied, and I will now take them in review- 

 seriatim. 



When the fish suddenly cease to show themselves, and that condition 

 of " lingering doubt " is noticed in bright weather, we use 



A VABIEGATED SUN FLY 



or 

 A BLACK FANCY. 



I pause here to explain the system to follow in constituting these 

 lures, for they best serve our purpose when so varied as to accord with 

 the characteristics of the river on which we happen to be engaged. My 

 reason is this : It is obvious to all interested in this advanced treatment 



