THE SALMON 57 



the afternoon, when there is a light breeze on the water 

 When not on feed they retreat to deep water, and also under 

 banks, bushes, &c. The best time for angling for them is 

 from May until August. In July and August they will often 

 take the fly freely ; for the months of May and June, worms, 

 shrimp, or small fish, will be found the best baits. 



Bait-fishing for Salmon is generally practised with a rod 

 of from sixteen to eighteen feet in length, with a hollow butt 

 and spare tops, either for worm or minnow fishing. Some 

 sportsmen prefer a lighter top for worm fishing than for spin- 

 ning the minnow ; the hollow butt allows him to use his 

 taste, and also the advantage of extra tops against breakage. 

 There are two ways of rigging the rod for the line — the old- 

 fashioned plan of rings, whipped on with thread, is preferred 

 by some, and the patent guide, a solid stationary ring, (a new 

 invention) by others. Attached to the rod should be a multi- 

 plying reel, capable of holding from three to six hundred 

 feet of line ; to insure success with large game, the largest 

 sized reel, with six hundred feet of line, should be used. The 

 line adapted to the reel should be either of silk, hair, silk and 

 hair, or grass. The two former descriptions are most in use, 

 but the latter is now preferred by many on account of its 

 strength, durability, and lightness. Affixed to the line should 

 be a swivel sinker, and a leader, either of single or twisted gut, 

 of from three to six feet in length, according to the depth of 

 water. For middle, fishing, use a large size float of cork or 

 red cedar. The proper size of hook should be No. 0, 1, 2, 3, 

 of the Kirby or Limerick pattern,'attached to single or twisted 

 gut. A very few Anglers use gimp instead of gut, but the 

 show it makes in the water, both from its size and color, pre- 

 clude the idea of much success. From the timid nature of 

 the object of your sport, your tackle should combine strength 

 with imperceptibility. 



For Fly-Fishing for Salmon, the customary rod used is 



