ON SALMON FLIES. 61 



fisher succeeds better on his own water than a 

 stranger, from his local knowledge of the depth and 

 eddy, rock and gravel, of every cast, pool and stream. 

 He knows from daily experience the size and colour 

 of the fly requisite for each, according to the state 

 of water, whether or not he is at all able to explain 

 the matter. 



Deep water, either in pool or rapid, generally 

 requires a fly of a larger size than more shallow 

 pools and streams, even on the same day ; and that 

 without change of sky, wind, weather, or water. In 

 heavy water, or in fishing over a deep cast, I prefer 

 going over it first with the largest or brightest fly I 

 suppose at all likely, say a large size of my third 

 fly ; this may catch his eye and engage his attention. 

 Should this not raise him, or should he rise and 

 pass the fly, then try him with one a size or two 

 smaller, or a little more sober in colour, which he 

 will likely then take. On the contrary, in low pure 

 water, when beginning to go over a cast, use your 

 smallest or sober coloured fly first, and if he do not 

 rise to it, then go over the cast again with one a size 

 larger, or a shade brighter. 



An experienced, good fisher, even on a strange 

 river, may conceive pretty nearly the spot where a 

 fish will lie, according to circumstances the state 



