384 THE SALMON FLY. 



Look here, sir, if you won't wade, let me. There are plenty of fish about, 

 but somehow I don't like the way they show themselves. I wonder what's 

 up with 'em ; I'll find out before I've been here long. I ' scarce ' know 

 the way of the river yet. How rivers do vary ! Fish such a pool as this, 

 and no sport ! Extraordinary ! Is the water falling quickly? No ; then 

 what is it ? Fly wrong ? Can't have a better than a little black one in a 

 haze. Pool out of fettle ? Can't be, according to the run of the water. 

 Glass rising what can it be ? Fishing wrong side ? No ; I always 

 prefer casting from the shallow towards the deep. The fish might not 

 have seen the fly ; the weather is boisterous enough to make him settle in 

 the very neck of the eddy, so we are safe there. Then there are no big 

 white clouds rolling about. I don't notice any ' muck ' in the water. 

 Pollution makes Salmon travel, and those which are not that way inclined 

 rise, but won't take. Nor do I see any trace of Otters. Dismiss the 

 question as unanswerable is an easy way of escape, but that don't suit me. 

 Here comes the superintendent, he'll tell us, no doubt." 



" Good morning, captain, good morning. Jim, take my dog in the 

 slip and tie him to yonder gate, for in fishing dogs are as bad as Otters. 

 What luck, sir? Goodish day this, and plenty of fish 'going.' Sorry I 

 couldn't be with you before." 



" Luck isn't in it my way, MacGregor." 



And the captain relates all that has transpired. 



" Well," continues the superintendent, " that chap Jim ought to 

 know, else he shan't stop long with me. He seems to have told you 

 right so far. We don't know everything, and never shall. Yes, yes, all 

 that seems right, but common sense doesn't look to these matters alone. 

 Jim, just take the cup out of the frail and bring us a sample of the water 

 (tasting). Ah ! thought so, by the greyish look of it ; this bitter taste is 

 enough for me. Never mind the waders yet ; come back with me, I know 

 what's the matter it's heather icater ! There ! There ! Look at that 

 caterpillar going down. You must try the ' Heather Dog.' I got this 

 tip from Land and Water, and it finds 'eni out sometimes, I give you my 

 word. But I say, captain, as the eddy has had such a doing, you'd better 

 have lunch first ; besides, the haze seems to be lifting, and that'll help you 

 considerably with this style of fly." 



