394 THE SALMON FLY. 



with layers of lead, the whole to weigh 15 Ibs. The gimp is tied to a ring 

 fixed in the middle of the top cork. The box is shown with the front 

 board taken off ; the dial, in its natural state. This is merely a fixed 

 upright 7 inch deal, the face of which is painted white : the inches being 

 marked in black figures. Upon each side of this board is fixed a strip 

 of wood, flush with the back and projecting in front, say, f of an inch. 

 Upon the front edge of these two strips- is nailed another lath, flush 

 with the extreme right and left side of each strip of wood, yet slightly 

 projecting over the face of the dial, and so forming a groove to keep in 

 position the indicating piece of flat lead, which is 5 Ibs. in weight. A 

 straight course for the line to play in the pulleys is best, if not indeed 

 necessary. If the pulleys are kept in good working order, the least 

 variation in the height of the water can be detected by glancing at the dial 

 which may be almost any distance in reason from the box in the water. 



We will now turn our attention to Flats. 



Besides other features of these surgeless reaches to which I will 

 refer presently, Flats always make opportunities for the display of great 

 skill in casting and in killing foul-hooked fish. This is due not only to 

 the smoothness but also to the deepness of the water. Of course, these 

 places vary, but in most cases, unless caused by the wind, the surface 

 is not much ruffled, and unless the fishing is at the head or at the very 

 tail, the water is often too deep to wade, and so in wooded districts 

 a hooked fish cannot be followed up. The general evenness of the 

 bed of the river is the distinct feature from which Flats derive their 

 name. 



I have constantly noticed in the objectionable change of beat system, 

 which prevails among parties numbering four or five or six, that the 

 " small fish " get fried. The pitiful spectacle presented of a young Angler 

 put down a Flat because it is " his turn," conclusively proves the weakness 

 of the system. Even if he can wade, he cannot command the water 

 with that degree of delicacy about which I would have a word or two 

 to say. 



Delicacy, as here used, means not what shopkeepers mean when 

 recommending their fine hooks and lightly dressed flies, but something 

 very different. It has nothing to do with the fly dropping " like thistle- 



