380 THE SALMON FLY. 



In fishing, the underlying principle for the Angler is to convince 

 himself what flies others have used unsuccessfully, and in what way they 

 have been fishing, i.e. where they stood, what method of casting they 

 adopted, how long they persevered under the conditions which, presum- 

 ably, remain unaltered, and, above all, whether by their untutored 

 demeanour in the water or out of it they were likely to scare the fish, and, 

 for the time bsing, put them " off " altogether. 



In all these respects the Angler should choose the opposite tactics as 

 much as he can. If, for instance, small, light flies have been used with 

 short hackles, he should select a pattern larger, darker, and longer in the 

 hackle. But whatever may have been done in other respects, a pool that 

 has been long thrashed with gaudy patterns requires considerable rest, and 

 even then, a couple of casts over a fish is sufficient before passing on. In 

 passing on, or rather fishing on, see everything but look at nothing ; for 

 you will give yourself away if by your manner, you arouse the suspicions 

 of the fish. 



Whatever be the general opinion it is certain to my mind that Salmon 

 have an instinctive dread of an inquisitive Fisherman. If he " behaves 

 himself" a man may catch a Salmon under the very point of his rod; I 

 have often done so, bsing fully alive to the fact that, as to " behaviour," 

 the susceptibility of the Salmon does not materially differ from other 

 creatures. Books and gulls, we know, will pick up warms out of the very 

 footsteps of the smock-frocked yeoman who trolls a song of the soil 

 between the handles of his plough. Shy mountain sheep take no notice 

 of the shepherd who warbles an old-world ditty along the hill-side ; nor 

 will the most spiteful thorough-bred be affrighted by the smith, who, 

 while singing at the forge lifts its leg on his leathered lap as a matter of 

 course. 



Almost all that is necessary on the subject of a man's manner can be 

 said in a few words. 



Stand easily and erect, do noi peep about, do not assume a defiant 

 demeanour, and move as naturally as though there were no fish in the 

 water. 



Now let us first see how to fish "that pool there," whose shallow 

 waters at the neck, this early spring morning, ripple less and less as they 



