364 AMERICAN ANGLER'S BOOK. 



Salmon-fishers as to striking a fish, most of them contending 

 that you should strike as soon as you see the fish, or the 

 swell it makes in its attempt to seize the fly ; others that it 

 should not be done until the fish has turned to go back. 

 Some maintain (see Scrope's "Days and Nights of Salmon- 

 fishing,") that you should feel a tug, or in Scotch parlance 

 " a rug," before you strike. This deliberate way of dealing 

 with a Salmon is advocated by "Ephemera." 



The novice in his agitation will be apt to forget any 

 written directions, and strike violently, or too quickly, or 

 not at all. The negative action is the least objectionable of 

 the three ; for if the fish is at all eager he will generally hook 

 himself, and the strain on the rod is frequently felt before the 

 angler has time to raise the point of it. So in most cases one 

 can take little credit to himself for hooking the Salmon, for it 

 is rather the act of the fish than his own. The hook may be 

 struck deeper in its hold by a dexterous movement of the 

 wrist, and this is advisable if the fish does not strain the rod 

 sufficiently to do so. 



PLAYING A SALMON. A person who is accustomed to the 

 use of the reel in playing other large fish, will soon acquire a 

 reasonable degree of self-possession and skill in killing a 

 Salmon. In doing this, three important things are to be 

 observed : one is to keep up the point of the rod so as to 

 bring its whole spring to bear on the fish, and by no means 

 allow him to " straighten" on you (i. e., to get the line and 

 rod in a direct line between you and him). For if you do, and 

 there should be the slightest catch, or undue pressure on the 

 line to prevent its running freely, he will have a dead pull on 

 you, and will be almost certain to break the hold that the 

 hook has in his mouth, or carry away your casting-line. The 

 reel-line itself would hardly be strong enough to hold a large 

 Salmon under such circumstances, particularly if by coming 



