NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLY-FisHing. 465 
Tweed especially, where it would be absolute folly in 
the angler were he to humor the fish to its heart’s con- 
tent. A lively nervous grilse may occasion more alarm 
among its kind than one is aware of, especially if the 
water be of the transparent hue it generally bears during 
the summer and autumnal months. In event, however, of 
the salmon being few or rising shyly, I would advise that 
some degree of care and ceremony be taken with what 
fortune brings to the hook; and that on such occasions 
more regard be paid to the management of the fish under 
control than to the non-disturbance of a few yards of 
stream, where the chances of adding to one’s success are, 
at the least, extremely doubtful. In these circumstances 
avoid using undue violence. Should the fish escape, the 
consciousness of your having done so will only add to the 
disappointment. There is one precaution particularly to 
be attended to in respect to a newly run fish, and that is, 
immediately on hooking it to use a moderate degree of 
pressure. The salmon will then brave or stem the cur- 
rent, and direct its course upwards; whereas, on tighten- 
ing the reins, it will frequently do the reverse, and thus 
not only may a portion of the water in prospect become 
disturbed, but there is considerable chance, and in some 
places an absolute certainty, of the fish, if a large one, 
making its escape.” Baggits generally descend the stream 
asa rule, when hooked, and no management will make 
them leave the current; but as they fight sluggishly, and 
as their loss is of little consequence, provided they do not 
run away with a good line, the butt may be shown them 
pretty early, and with a considerable degree of power. 
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