460 MANUAL FOE YOUNG SPOETSMEN. 



much higher than before, the tyro will require additional 

 aid from his quondam friend. This is known to all 

 salmon-fishers, inasmuch as these fish frequent very differ- 

 ent parts of the same river in a low, and again, in a high 

 stage of the water ; and the flies also will require consider- 

 able modification, according to these changing elements. 

 There are, however, some general rules which may be of 

 service, though they by no means apply in all cases. 

 Thus, large rivers usually require larger flies than small 

 streams, which latter will more often be successfully fished 

 with a gaudy but comparatively small fly — that is, if the 

 water is not too clear. The fish, generally lying at the 

 bottom, will scarcely be attracted from the depth of a 

 large river by a small fly, whilst if it is too gaudy, they 

 are scared by its colors when they rise near the surface. 

 Again, in small streams salmon seldom take any fly, 

 except when the water is rather discolored, and in that 

 state a dusky or dull one is not sufficiently attractive ; and 

 when the same condition of water exists in the large rivers 

 a gaudy color will also be preferred. The size of the fly 

 is of course an index to that of the hook, which is its 

 foundation. Beyond these imperfect hints little aid can 

 be given to the tyro, and he must learn by experience in 

 his own person, or from that of others, the peculiar rules 

 applicable to each locality. 



The casting is generally from the left shoulder, back- 

 wards ; after which the line is steadily and rather slowly 

 brought over the right shoulder, with the rod held in both 

 hands, and its point directed upwards and backwards. It 

 is then brought forwards with an increase in speed and 



