41(5 THE SALMON FLY. 



benefit opposing it, the voice of the people interested in Angling questions 

 ought to prevail. But the difficulty that faced and still faces us in the 

 solution of this great problem is to clear the atmosphere of certain 

 influences arising from the filmy foundation of guesswork or business 

 interests. If we can do this it is all I intend to say on the point we 

 may be very sure that the opinions of authorised men will meet with 

 warmer fervour in Angling circles than has yet been accorded to 

 them. 



Now, as a general rule, the safest and surest way of securing a fish and, 

 at the same time, of avoiding the infliction of such a wound as will render 

 the hold of the hook uncertain, is, in my judgment, to strike from the 

 Lever Winch in all cases in which the hook used does not exceed 2/0 in 

 size. That is my opinion. But as individual opinion may or may not 

 count for much, let us take an illustration with which many old hands are 

 familiar from prolonged practice themselves. 



We have, for instance, two noted rivers the Lochy and the Ness 

 on which the very smallest double-hook flies are used. On both these 

 rivers it is the practice to strike. Then we have other waters, on which 

 the custom prevails of first using these tiny flies, not on Salmon, but on 

 Trout tackle. What is the result in each case? With the Salmon 

 tackle, Anglers strike and get their fair average of fish, while, 011 the other 

 hand, striking with fine drawn gut is altogether impracticable. If a man 

 strikes with it, the fish breaks " everything " instantly. The Angler has, 

 of necessity, to run his chance of the fish getting hooked, and his chance 

 is a very poor one five times in six. 



Striking from the winch is to let the line have free play between the 

 winch and the hook. In other words, the line is not held by the fingers 

 as was the original practice during the operation. This method of striking 

 can only be achieved by the use of a proper winch, the lever of which the 

 Angler can regulate at his will. For rapid waters, the lever should be so 

 adjusted that the line will not overrun itself when drawn out swiftly by 

 the hand. For quieter currents it should be set somewhat tighter so 

 arranged that, in the hands of the most severe critic, the winch could not 

 be said to be " stiff." It requires very little practice to secure the desired 

 degree of the pressure of the lever, and that is the only precaution needed. 



