418 THE SALMON FLY. 



Playing a fish is one of the delights of an Angler's experience. It 

 calls for patience, coolness, activity, and keen perception. 



Gaffing a fish when it is exhausted is exceedingly simple, and no part 

 of our business requires less practice. We will take these subjects 

 together. 



The first thing to be done on hooking either a Salmon or grilse which 

 keeps below the surface of the water is to hold the rod in its raised 

 position, and while so doing, to slightly loosen the lever of the winch. 

 This is the work of a moment, and so easy in itself that all instruction is 

 dispensed with in this book. 



The next thing to be done is to get on shore (if wading) as quickly as 

 possible and to keep in command as much as possible. By this I mean, 

 never to allow the fish to get away far up-stream* above you ; always to 

 follow him down-stream ; and in the event of his taking across the 

 water, to station yourself a little above him, holding the rod high in the air 

 in order to avoid the line from bellying too much in the strong current. 



It is not always on hooking a Salmon that one can immediately form 

 an idea of its weight. A large fish, for instance, will reserve its strength 

 for a time ; and even for the space of several minutes will appear little 

 better than an inanimate substance. But the strain of the rod, though 

 moderate in degree at first, soon tells, and the fish will give vent to its 

 fury in grand impetuous runs and bursts. On the other hand, a small 

 Salmon will often make off hurriedly down-stream, and lead you to 

 suppose he is " that monster " which you have been so anxious to catch. 



But it would be idle to speculate as to the precise treatment that 

 may be required in either case ; the Angler is towed along by events and 

 deals with facts as they present themselves. Best assured there will be 

 plenty of matter for consideration, and probably I am not far wrong in 

 asserting that the first cause for anxiety will proceed from " the leap for 

 life." In this instance, however, the Angler already understands the 

 absolute necessity of slackening line by dropping the rod point as quickly 

 as possible, and instantly recovering it when the plunge or somersault is 



* N.B. Although turning a fish's head down-stream that he may be choked quickly is 

 an advantage to be got best when he is above the Angler, dangers resulting from that position 

 are so grave and numerous that I cannot recommend it being sought for. 



