146 The American Salmon-fisherman. 



vices. In all else his previous schooling will be invalu- 

 able, but in this matter the difference is radical. It is an 

 absolute condition-precedent to success. 



There is another caution to be borne in mind. Keep 

 the hands off the line at all times when the fly is upon 

 the water. With a long line and a weak click, it may be 

 necessary to hold the line when picking the fly off the 

 water for the back-cast. But the moment the fly touches 

 the water again, the line should be free to run without the 

 slightest check. It must be borne in mind that in the 

 method of fishing herein described, and believed to be 

 the most seductive, the rod is held so nearly horizontal 

 that at times the line makes but a small angle with it. 

 If a salmon then takes the fly, and the line is held so that 

 it cannot render, a sharp heavy jerk is given against an 

 almost rigid resistance. The fly will then be taken from 

 the leader as you would pick a berry from a bush a 

 state of affairs in which it is blessed neither to give nor 

 to receive. If the tip of the rod is habitually well ele- 

 vated so that the line leads from it at an approximation 

 to a right angle, the practice of holding the line against 

 the handle is not so reprehensible. The elasticity of the 

 rod will tnen so soften the asperity of the jerk that it 

 may be withstood. But even then I cannot see that it 

 serves any useful purpose, while, should the salmon make 

 a sudden run before the line is released, disaster is cer- 

 tain. 



In salmon-fishing the fly is worked below rather than 

 on the surface. It may be taken either with no apparent 

 disturbance of the water, or in the middle of a boil, as 



