112 SALMON ANGLINGS 



he has it before yon perceive a head, fin, or tail 

 above the surface. Indeed, before you perceive the 

 web of his tail he generally has the hook in his jaw 

 a foot below water, as in descending he goes, like 

 other divers, head foremost. 



The angler's next motion is generally termed 

 striking, which, to my taste, is a wrong word to ex- 

 press that particular action by which a true angler 

 retains his already hooked fish. This motion is 

 rather a retentive hold than a start, or a strike. 

 Your tyro, keen and vigorous, is for ever striking , as 

 the weakest part of his tackle, or a shred torn from 

 the mouth of the fish will often abundantly testify ; 

 while the true angler will go through the whole pro- 

 cess with perfect ease, or rather, in what an inex- 

 perienced onlooker would account a careless or 

 slovenly manner ; in short, as seemingly easy and 

 unrestrained as the step and manner of the savage in 

 his native forest, so nearly do the accustomed habits 

 of art approach the perfect ease of nature. 



But I believe that in fishing, as in other things, 

 example is more instructive than precept, and there- 

 fore a beginner would do well to set himself to 

 observe with attention an experienced fisher begin 

 and go over a stream or cast : his easy positions of 

 body, method of casting, and manner of leading his 



