SALMON FISHING WITH THE FLY. 197 
fore, should not be wound round the hat, but put away when 
not in use ; hanks of gut are best preserved in wash-leather. 
It is a common belief that by staining gut it is less easily 
seen by the fish, but I think this is very doubtful, and I prefer 
to use it in its natural state. 
I have entered into minute details upon this subject, as I 
think it of great importance. Rod, line, flies, &c., may be per- 
fection in every other respect; but should there be one weak 
point in the casting line, the angler may just as well be fishing 
with rotten thread, and it is absolutely necessary to insure suc- 
cess that he should take such precautions as I have advised. 
FLIES, 
There is more difference of opinion about salmon flies than 
upon any other subject connected with salmon fishing. Some 
people assert that it is necessary to use different patterns of flies 
for every month during the fishing season ; others, that certain 
patterns are suitable only for certain rivers, and that it is useless 
to fish with any others. Another theory is that certain shades 
of colour must be used on certain days. Every fisherman one 
meets has his own ideas upon this subject. I have mine, and 
whether they are right or wrong I will endeavour to explain them. 
I think it is reasonable to assume that a salmon can discern the 
colours of a fly ; but will the theorists, who believe that it is ne- 
cessary to fish with certain patterns of flies in each month of the 
fishing season, tell me that a feeding fish will refuse a fly which 
is offered him, say during the month of April, because it is not 
said to be the pattern of that particular month? There is not 
a particle of evidence in support of such a theory, and it is not 
worth one moment’s argument. That certain patterns of flies 
must be used on different rivers is a more plausible theory, and 
if the word ‘colour’ had been substituted for ‘pattern’ I should 
be quite of the same opinion. Some rivers are very clear ; 
others more or less stained with bog water, and from other 
