Flies and Hooks. 103 



ing the surrounding circumstances, uses his brains to ac- 

 complish the desired result. 



It may be well to add this to the results of my experi- 

 ments already given. Though I could not imitate the 

 motion given to a salmon-fly to my entire satisfaction, 

 still I was able to do so sufficiently to make me feel 

 pretty confident that the opening and closing action of 

 the wings, which salmon-flies are supposed to have when 

 properly manipulated, is usually somewhat overestimated, 

 and by no means of as much consequence as the flashing 

 of the mixed wings, particularly of those of which the 

 crest of the golden-pheasant was a constituent. I have 

 already spoken of the strong impression their appearance 

 made upon me. It seemed to me that this appearance 

 was more facilitated by vibrating the tip of the rod 

 rather slowly in the usual manner, than by moving it 

 steadily, or vibrating it rapidly. 



A discussion of the choice of salmon-flies naturally 

 divides itself into two branches: First, the selection of a 

 particular fly to suit a particular occasion when in pres- 

 ence of the fish; and Second, the selection of a stock of 

 flies preparatory to a trip, as part of the outfit for that 

 trip. 



The first we have already disposed of to the best of 

 our ability. The second remains to be considered. 



The reader will find a sound practical rule for this pur- 

 pose foreshadowed in the imaginary letter in our first 

 chapter. ' Ask tlio person from whom the fishing is leased 

 what kinds of flies and of what sizes have proved the 

 most successful upon his water during that portion of 



