400 THE SALMON FLY. 



Who, for instance, has not seen a fish seize a fly just as it is being 

 drawn into a strong current from a side eddy a great secret this in 

 "presentation." The fly cast, say, beyond fish resting on the far side of 

 the current, cannot remain there for long. Do what one may, the inter- 

 vening stream catches the line, gracefully turns the head of the fly, and 

 gradually increases the pace of it across the catch. 



This is a useful lesson to those who are not well versed in 

 presentation. 



Where nature fails, art often succeeds. The desirable current is not 

 always there, but the student can, as I have before said, secure the natural 

 and effective movement of the fly, by working the rod-graduaUy round in 

 front of him. 



However, the Angler fishing alone had better begin operations with a 

 dark silk or Berlin wool body and chance his luck afterwards with the 

 "variegated" body (see Sun fly) made with silks, furs, or chenilles 

 according to the custom prevailing on the river. Silver bodies, black 

 hackles, and plain Mallard wings are very telling when the sun is con- 

 stantly popping in and out. 



The mere brightening up of the water by the sun shining over a bank 

 or a wood upon wet or white rocks which do not throw back rays of light 

 actually into the water, is the signal for decreasing size and increasing 

 gaudiness. 



Should the trees overhang and shade the catches on the inner side, a 

 dirty yellow, or a dirty orange body, with a plain hackle at the throat, and 

 with wings composed of Peacock's herl mixed with strands of Golden 

 Pheasant tail, is the kind of fly I invariably use myself. 



While directing my attention to Flats, I have learnt that " the sun 

 speaks a language of his own, though no voice breaks the air." To 

 interpret it, we should evoke the whispers of common sense. 



Of course, we may strive in vain in our endeavour to collocate all the 

 technical laws which govern the sport, but were a little of the time and 

 thought usually spent in learning the commoner accomplishments of 

 Salmon-fishing bestowed, say, upon the more complex and interesting 

 subjects (for instance, the reflection of light), how many of the so-called 

 " mysteries " would meet with easy explanation, and how much the 



