CHAPTER XXII 



THE GENTLE ART 



Though this is not intended as a treatise on 

 angling, it is necessary to go into some details 

 in connection with the " gentle art " in order 

 to review the matter from a psychological 

 standpoint, and incidentally to suggest a 

 reason why the fish is so erratic in its move- 

 ments. 



Anglers of experience, having formed their 

 own opinions on this subject, are not easily 

 converted to another's views and theories ; 

 there is no reason why they should be; there- 

 fore in submitting my conclusions, based on a 

 long experience, I write in no dogmatic spirit, 

 but offer them for what they are worth. At 

 the same time, I shall endeavour to make no 

 statements unsupported by evidence familiar 

 to anglers. 



Now, with regard to salmon flies, there are 

 certain recognized standard types, besides 

 innumerable fancy patterns, not one of which 

 has a living prototype ; however, all are 



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