STBIKING. 409 



fishing generally, and of these I purpose dealing first with the question of 

 striking Salmon. Let us then ask ourselves once more the object we 

 have in view at the time when a Salmon rises and takes the fly. Our 

 object, surely, is to hook the fish with as little risk as possible. 



This branch of our subject is so important that I shall venture to 

 intrude on the reader with various opinions and experiences my own and 

 those of others. In judging which system to follow, let him examine 

 closely into the principle of it, and let him be guided by the one that best 

 answers the scientific conditions of a rigid test. 



The operation of striking is conducted somewhat blindfold. What 

 chance, then, would a man have of tearing the flesh of a fish who con- 

 ducts the operation when holding his line and applying just the same 

 power for a Salmon coming towards him as for one turning down-stream, 

 against the man whose very principle secures for him absolute immunity 

 from all such danger, no matter whether he uses very much power or only 

 just enough? 



The reader will form his own estimate of these things. At the same 

 time, I feel bound in these pages to recommend the system I adopt myself 

 from the simple fact that, after years of practice, it has proved by far the 

 most remunerative and economical both in time and tackle. 



Much has been said and written of striking Salmon. We have had 

 ardent votaries of no striking, of strong striking, and of modified methods. 

 Of the no strikers I say nothing, considering them out of court, beyond 

 conversion, outside argument, and of that honest perversity of the twelfth 

 juror who damned the other eleven " obstinate asses" who would not 

 agree with him. Of the strong strikers and the moderates, it is, perhaps, 

 best to think that ambiguous language is accountable for most of the 

 differences which separated them during the wordy contests that have 

 filled so many newspaper columns. 



In point of fact, I have not observed in practice much difference in 

 the striking manners of my friends, amongst whom are open advocates of 

 the strong and moderate fashion of embedding the hook. What the 

 strong striker practised and advocated as "strong," the moderate striker 

 practised and advocated as " moderate " ; and the very mildest-mannered 

 Angler seemed, when he felt the fish, to " put the iron in " with as much 



