85 



longer if a flasli of brighter weather is approaehing, and then treat the 

 fish to a passing view of their favourite hire, that is to say, the " Purple 

 Is.ing " on the Spey, the " Gordon " on the Dee, elsewhere, probably 

 " Jock Scott " or the " Penpergwm Pet." 



If on these occasions it is found necessary to use one of those 

 old Standard patterns, it should be full-fledged and three or four sizes 

 larger than any of its predecessors. In addition to this, the fisherman 

 should stand further away from the water, hold the rod high in the air, 

 to avoid " bellying " as much as possible, and fish the fly quickly. 



What one man can do at these puzzling places another can. The 

 superiority in personal initiative, and the ability to apply what one 

 knows to new and unforeseen contingencies, are, and must be, the 

 prerogatives of the master hand. liy close attention to minute 

 matters of detail, the importance of which is generally so little under- 

 stood, the angler's success is of a decided character, and is shown to 

 the best advantage at these particular Catches. When salmon are 

 there, and rise in the manner known as " heads-and-tails," one ought 

 to be able to make them take a fly of some sort. 



On coming to Catch No. 2, where, as formerly stated, the rough 

 water flows more steadily, the line must be dropped lightly into tiie 

 eddies on the far side, short steps should be taken Ijetwecn each cast 

 and the fly should be comparatively small and quiet in ajipearance. 

 In this Catch also, save early in the Spring, the salmon would lie on 

 the edge of the current, and when the fly falls in the oily water 

 beyond, they will see it a long way above them. The fartiier they 

 come for it, and the faster they travel, the more surely they take good 

 hold. 



But, as already intimated, here the method of tactics is materially 



