STRIKING THE SALMON. 153 



severance. With a creature so impulsive, the angler need 

 never despair. Even though the stream runs pure as crys- 

 tal, and the water is low, fine tackle and suitable flies will 

 do wonders. 



He will sometimes rise at your fly, refuse it, and come 

 again. This will try the angler's patience, test his expe- 

 rience, and prove his skill. Do not be in a hurry ; haste 

 may spoil all. Some able sportsmen will say " Cover 

 him again directly;" others advocate a few minutes' rest. 

 Perhaps the latter is the best plan* in well-fished waters. 

 Again and again will Mr Salmon rise at the tempting bait, 

 and still refuse it, and yet be hooked at last. If he should 

 refuse altogether let him remain quiet for a few minutes, 

 and try a fresh fly. If this does not tempt him, try a 

 smaller fly of the first pattern, and work the fly so that it 

 sinks a few inches beneath the surface. At length he will 

 show his " silvery sides " in earnest. If you can help it, 

 do not strike in a hurry, or you may jerk the fly from him. 

 Watch for the turn after he has seized the bait, and then 

 strike. If you feel the fish before this occurs, you will of 

 course strike at once. The rattle of the reel announces 

 that the contest has begun. If the salmon is fresh run, 

 he will seize the bait with eagerness, and hook himself. 

 When the water is low and bright much judgment is re- 

 quired ; for too much haste in striking will spoil all. 



Away goes the startled and indignant fish ; swift goes 

 the line from the reel ; and then the angler watches his 

 opportunity to check the mad career of the fish. He can 

 only do this by letting the fish feel the pressure of the line 

 and the hook as he turns, and away the fish dashes again, 

 and perhaps indulges in some gyrations in the air, in tlia 



