462 MANUAL FOE YOITNG SPORTSMEN. 



depend upon the tackle, which should be very nicely 

 graduated, and if the cast is intended to be very extensive, 

 one fly only should be used ; indeed in salmon-fishing it is 

 seldom that much good is derived from a dropper in ad- 

 dition to the stretcher. When the fly is to be thrown 

 in a wide river, of rather sluggish current, it may be 

 directed nearly straight across, especially if the opposite 

 bank can be reached ; and the fly, after it has touched the 

 water, may be brought back with a circular . sweep, keep- 

 ing the rod low until it is absolutely necessary to raise it 

 in order to bring home the fly, and working it by gentle 

 fits and starts so as to imitate the movements of a living 

 insect. When, however, there is a considerable stream, 

 the fly may be thrown obliquely downwards, as in trout- 

 fishing, and is then brought back against the stream, and 

 often without that attempt at jerking which must be made 

 in comparatively still water. In all cases, the salmon- 

 fisher should keep as much as possible out of sight ; and 

 when he has recourse to wading, he should only enter the 

 water which he has already effectually tried ; and when 

 there, he should make as little disturbance in it as he can 

 possibly avoid. In this respect, however, salmon are 

 duller and less wary than common trout, or even than 'sea- 

 trout ; but still they are easily scared, and no one should 

 incautiously run risks which are not absolutely required. 

 The fly is worked very differently to the trout-fly, which 

 must always be on the top of the water to be effectual ; 

 whereas the salmon-fly should always be sufficiently under 

 the water to avoid making any ripple as it is drawn towards 

 the thrower, and yet not so deep as to be wholly out of 



