408 THE SALMON FLY. 



to describe an arc of a circle ; and if the Angler takes very short 

 steps no more than twelve inches at a time the fish lying immediately 

 behind an upright rock are more apt to rise in twenty feet of water 

 as soon as they see the lure thus played than by adopting any other 

 method. 



Of course, if a very long line is necessary, the system fails to have 

 any effect upon the fly at all ; and to meet the case, the line is seized just 

 in front of the winch and pulled rapidly backwards and forwards while the 

 fly is crossing the water. 



We have yet another important matter to bear in mind in connection 

 with fishing places of this latter description. As soon as the fish has taken 

 the fly he does not turn, but rather drops his head and goes down as he 

 came up perpendicularly. Unless the Angler strikes at once, the fish 

 disappears like a bubble in the palm of one's hand, leaving behind only 

 the damp of disappointment. 



I remember accompanying the late Lord L - to a pool on the 

 Beauly, which I was myself fishing in 1893. 



"Well, have you got 'em?" he shouted inquiringly from the top of 

 the rocks to a friend engaged in the " Mare's " Catch. 



"No, had five rises though, but missed every one." 



" Wind up and wait till I come down," was urged in reply, and that, 

 too, by one of the best Salmon-anglers it has ever been my privilege to 

 Jieet. 



On reaching the bottom and learning how matters stood from " Auld 

 .Allan" a servant with then 40 years or more experience, and who yet 

 lives to relate the story himself directions were given to strike directly 

 after the rise. 



" I never strike my fish, but 



" Then you'll never catch 'em here, that's certain," Lord L 

 remarked in a friendly tone. 



But a promise to try the experiment was given, with the result that 

 three Salmon soon lay on the bank before us. Others, I forget how many, 

 were secured afterwards. 



For the rest, there is very little that calls for particular notice in 

 rapids. Our attention will now be directed towards matters relating to 



