THE MOOR AND THE LOCH. 



as in physic the shrewest guesser is first physician, so in 

 angling the shrewdest guesser, if not always the ablest, will go 

 far to be the most successful fisher. 



This winding over fish is most deadly. I have again and 

 again moved them in my backward course, when they never 

 stirred in the ordinary way. Often, also, having raised a fish 

 several times, and fairly put him down, I have hooked him at 

 the first wind-over, and that, too, with the very rejected fly. 

 As to changing the fly, the angler must be guided by his own 

 judgment, according to circumstances. For instance, if a fish 

 bangs up keenly the first time, misses the fly, then comes up 

 languidly the second time, it is a bad sign. A change and 

 long rest may be as well. If, however, the salmon only bells 

 up at first, and gives a fine bold dash the next time, give him 

 a third trial with the same fly. He will be pretty likely to 

 take hold the third rise. Should he not, but still continue his 

 free offers, patience is your best course. Eest him, and renew 

 the attack at intervals with any fly you fancy most enticing. 

 I have sometimes fixed these playful fish after nearly a dozen 

 rises, and as often as not with the original fly that moved 

 them. They are apt, however, to hook tenderly if they take 

 hold at all. When a fish springs freely the first rise, I am 

 inclined to clap my fly instantly over him a second time. 

 Very often he will come up wickedly and fix. Should he not 

 stir, or only make a languid roll or a bell up, I should feel 

 much disposed not to disturb him for some time ; and when I 

 did, it would be with a fresh fly. 



Sometimes (but rarely) if the size of fly suits the stream, 

 salmon will come up and fasten on any colours that may be 

 thrown to them. They are oftener so very particular as to 

 refuse all flies but those of the very same shade, dressed ex- 

 actly alike. Both these moods of fish, however, are exceptional ; 

 and salmon or grilse, as a general rule, may be more or less 

 tempted by several judiciously selected hooks. Although the 

 second of these moods may, at first, try the ablest angler, yet, 



