HOOKING THE SALMON 



strike when a salmon rises to the 

 fly is a simple matter. Almost all be- 

 ginners do this feat perfectly ; but to 

 strike at the right moment so as to 

 hook the fish that is quite another thing. When 

 I began I could equal any one in striking. Back- 

 ward would go my rod, and back would come the 

 fly, to the astonishment, no doubt, of the fish, and 

 to the sorrow of myself and canoemen. When 

 you have a rise, the thing to do is to leave the fly 

 until you feel a pull ; then strike hard if you are 

 using large-sized hooks. With small ones only a 

 little force is required, because when a small fly is 

 required salmon usually do not take it so far back 

 in the mouth ; they seem indifferent, and are more 

 apt to seize it between the lips. If, therefore, 

 much force is given to the strike, the hook is lia- 

 ble to tear out. A salmon will often seize the fly 

 before you are able to pull it away and hook him- 

 self, but even then it is best to strike so as to be 

 sure the hook is home. Sometimes he will take the 



55 



