If properly supported success will be assured, and the movement will be 

 of incalculable value to the state whether considered from an angling or a 

 financial standpoint. 



A few rivers in Maine and several streams along the Pacific coast 

 afford fair fly-fishing for salmon, but the large majority of American 

 anglers, seeking for sport in this line, visit the streams tributary to the St. 

 Lawrence, where the fishing exploits of such past masters of the craft as 

 Dr. Bethune, " Frank Forester," Robert B. Roosevelt, Charles Lanman, 

 Charles Hallock, and a host of other worthies, have drawn public 

 attention to the exclusion, almost, of minor resorts. Let us hope the day 

 is not far distant when our own rivers, judiciously restocked and protected, 

 will furnish fishing equally good for the recreation of our anglers. 



It would be folly to attempt instruction, even as to the first principles 

 of practical salmon fishing, in a few pages devoted to this subject. So 

 far as primary lessons can be given in entertaining and instructive form, 

 the reader is commended to a careful perusal of Chas. Hallock's admirable 

 book, " The Salmon Fisher," and Henry P. Wells' " American Salmon 

 Fisherman" — two volumes full of interest and instruction for students 

 preparing to take the coveted degree of master of arts in the school of 

 angling. 



Mr. George Dawson, in his captivating work, entitled " Pleasures of 

 Angling," gives a realistic description of the sensations he experienced in 

 catching his first salmon. After securing a rise, and gazing upon the fish, 

 face to face; beholding the cavernous mouth and bulging eyes of his finny 

 adversary, just rising from the depths, the angler experienced the feeling 

 of faintness, followed by electric thrills usual at this stage; and then, 

 exerting every effort to regain composure, he made a second cast. 



The story is best told in his own words: "I had marked the spot 

 where the fish had risen, had gathered up my line for another cast, hg^ct' 

 dropped the fly, like a snow-flake, just where I desired it to rest^^i^lTen 

 like a flash, the same enormous head appeared, the §ame' o 

 revealed themselves, a swirl and a leap and a strike followed, fiji 

 salmon was hooked with a thud! which told me as plainly 'Jis 

 operation had transpired within the range of my vision, that if I 1 

 it would be my own fault. When thus assured, there vi^as excite 

 no flurry. My nerves thrilled and every muscle, assumed the* te 

 well-tempered steel, but I realized the full sublimity of the oceasiiCli 

 a sort of majestic calmness took the place of the stupid -inaeuou 

 followed the first apparition. My untested rod bent under the 

 a graceful curve; my reel clicked out a livelier melody than^v 

 from harp or hautboy, as the astonished fish mad«! Ihs d 



34 



