42G THE SALMON FLY. 



How to wade is a subject upon which I desire to say a few words. 



Wading requires much practice ; courage is to be desired ; but a good 

 deal may be done by rule. Some Anglers stick at nothing ; others look 

 askance at the most simple waters. The bravest, however, may run into 

 danger unforeseen. 



In my youth, if I may say so, I was a strong wader and never con- 

 sulted the interests of " Number one." But now I am prepared with an 

 Alpenstock, for, like other seniors, I am compelled to reduce these matters 

 to the humble level of personal safety. It was only a few years since, 

 that I had a very narrow escape one which comes back in my dreams. 

 To the question, " Well, what have you done ? " " Done ? " I replied to 

 my friend on returning home that evening, " I've had a ducking, smashed 

 my rod, lost a fish, and nearly lost my life as well ! " 



It happened in this way. 



I had left my friend to perambulate open pools, and made tracks 

 down river for a cast over a favoured spot, which invariably held a fish. 

 Oak trees spreading their boughs, compelling one to wade out upon a 

 huge flat rock, some three yards from shore, fringed the water. A 

 previous experience reminded me of the difficulty in reaching the rock, 

 owing to the strength of the water. On arriving at the Catch, fancying 

 the water too high, I " threw out a feeler," by trying my luck in waders 

 only. Although the water came no higher than my knees, it splashed 

 above my shoulders ; but still I went to the rock and back without being 

 " taken in." So I dressed, and, with rod in hand this time, soon set foot 

 on terra-firma and began operations with a rather gaudy Grub. After the 

 third cast, up went the rod and down went the fish with about thirty yards 

 of line, no more. It meant an hour's work to remain where I was, for, 

 though the fish was not large, the force of the water put all chance of 

 bringing it to the gaff out of the question ; therefore, I waited for a 

 favourable opportunity and made for the shore. Just at the critical 

 moment, splash, dash that spirit-stirring sight and sound the Salmon 

 shot up river, and checked me to such a extent that my foot missed its 

 aim and in I went. In the twinkling of an eye, I saw the perilous position 

 facing me. The waters dashed under a huge rock and took me with them. 

 My rod hitting the head of it snapped in two as though it were only a 



