318 STRIKING AT AND HOOKING SALMON. 



should not be in a hurry to pull your fly into 

 the more bare and still parts of the channel, where 

 the fish will come more cautiously and lazily. 

 In low water it is best to throw over the channel 

 from the rocky side, drawing at first rather 

 quickly, that your fish may take your fly in the 

 current, which is material. ' In very low water, 

 indeed, where the fish may be said to give over 

 rising, you may try your luck in the rapids by 

 hanging your fly on them ; indeed, you should 

 always let your fly dwell on this sort of water, or 

 the fish will either lose sight of it, or not choose 

 to follow where you may wish him. 



In hooking a rising fish, Mr. Scrope properly 

 observes, " It is best to strike a little sideways, 

 that the hook may fasten in the fleshy part of the 

 mouth ; whereas, if you pull straight up, you are 

 apt to encounter the upper or bony part ; or if 

 the fish has not closed his jaws, and fairly turned 

 off, you may pull the fly away from him too soon, 

 to the disappointment of both parties. Some- 

 times, however, when a salmon is clean run, and 

 in high glee, you can scarcely miss him, strike 

 which way you will. In low water you must be 

 somewhat dilatory in striking ; you often see the 

 heave of the water and a break before the fish 

 has actually seized your fly. Give him time to 

 turn his head in his way back to his seat, to 



