78 SALMON - ANGLING. 



good in our lochs in clear weather. Bleak, however, are 

 thought the best spinning bait on the Thames, unless at 

 very rapid mill-dams, where the tougher gudgeon is not so 

 apt to spoil. * 



Young herring, from their shining scales, are found to 

 be a most enticing bait for salmon. I have often tried 

 them with success, especially in the lochs. Of course they 

 must be used salt. The great objection to using them in 

 the river is, that they are so very tender. 



Should the water be confined, and the streams narrow 

 and rapid, every inch may be searched by standing at the 

 pool-head, and letting out line by yard-lengths, shifting 

 the bait alternately from one side to the other until all 

 the reel be nearly expended. Unless the river is flooded, 

 very little lead is required. Pull your line, instead of 

 winding it, slowly back again, searching as before, and 

 when satisfied, wind up and proceed to another pool. 

 When the river is broad, and you require to throw, you 

 can make very far casts, as the par is tough and not easily 

 spoiled. Swing it gently back as far as you can, and 

 then bring it forward in the same way. I have seen a 

 man with only one arm, a perfect master of this kind of 

 throwing so much does it depend upon a little knack. 

 Some will say that very rapid spinning is not good. But 

 I have always found, both in boat and river trolling, 

 whether with minnow or par, that the more rapid and true 

 the spinning, the greater my chance of stirring the fish. 

 When trolling for salmon or large shy trout, I therefore 

 adopt the mode of the Thames fishermen, on account 



