60 AMERICAN FISHES. 



This is my Salmon casting-line, and experience and close observa- 

 tion enables me to say, with confidence, that it is the proper one. 



On page 244, I have stated that " the mode is identical," that is, 

 of casting the fly for the Trout and the Salmon. What I intended 

 here to say is simply, that the effect to be aimed at is the same ; the 

 mode of operation is certainly in some sort different. The wielding 

 of an eighteen-feet Salmon-rod, as done with both hands, certainly 

 differs from the handlina with one hand of the light twelve-feet rod. 



The former requires more power, slowness and steadiness of arm ; 

 and far more caution is needed to prevent the fly from cracking off. 



It is the most difficult thing in the world to describe motions of the 

 arm, so as to be distinctly understood ; much more, motions of an im- 

 plement so delicate as a fly-rod. 



With regard to the mode of casting or delivering the fly, I have 

 nothing to add to the instructions given on page 246 of the body of 

 the work. I will, however, add, that in playing a heavy fish, hooked 

 on a single gut, it is very well, " beside advancing the butt, and bear- 

 ing your rod backward over your right shoulder," to lower the body 

 by bending the knees as much as possible, or even kneeling down, as 

 by so doing you diminish and equalise the strain on that most delicate 

 of instruments, the long Salmon-rod. 



It is to be observed that a moment longer may be given to a Salmon, 

 before striking, than to a Trout ; many good writers recommend allow- 

 ing him to turn before striking, but with this I do not coincide. 



My own idea is like shooting on the first aim — always to strike, and 

 to kill, with judgment, as quickly as you can ; never giving a moment of 

 time, or an inch of line, which you can avoid giving. 



On the subject of flies, it is not necessary to say more. All large 

 and gaudy flies, on Limerick hooks, will kill in some state or other of 

 some waters ; and with a pretty good assortment, the angler has only 

 got to change till he finds one to which the fish will rise, and then 

 stick to that. 



And so, adieu to Salmon Fishing. 



