REAL BAITS 171 



His habits are the same as before, excepting 

 that he is now no longer in the torpid state, 

 and shows himself more frequently on the 

 surface, for in his present emaciated condition 

 oxygen is more than ever necessary to keep 

 Ufe in his body pending the flood water which 

 eventually carries him down and out of the 

 river. Thus, from first to last, the salmon takes 

 no food in fresh water ; but, in the " kelt " 

 stage, the fish is more easily attracted by a 

 lure than at any other time, chiefly because 

 he is awake, and also, perhaps, because the 

 fasting period having nearly come to an end, 

 the naturally predacious fish is induced to grab 

 at anything that comes within reach ; but, 

 most assuredly, the kelt does not wander in 

 search of food. 



It may be asked, "What of real baits used 

 by the salmon angler ? " My answer is that 

 what I have said of the salmon-fly applies 

 equally to these. All of them, without excep- 

 tion, are unnatural presentations. The worm, 

 of course, is a natural bait as far as it goes, but 

 it goes three at a time ! Three lob-worms 

 strung together on a single hook are fished in 

 low, clear water, when no worms or other food 

 matter comes down in a natural way. In high, 

 discoloured water, when trout can be freely 

 taken with worm, salmon will not look at it ; 



