FRASER SANJ
 
 C. K. OGDEN
 
 I 
 
 BY HOOK AND BY CROOK. 
 
 BY 
 
 ERASER SANDEMAN. 
 
 WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY THE AUTHOR. 
 
 HENRY SOTHERAN & CO., 
 
 LONDON: 37 PICCADILLY, W.; 136 STRAND, W.C. 
 MANCHESTER : 49 CROSS STREET. 
 
 1892. 

 
 D EY HOOK AND BY CKOOK. 
 
 the angel fell on to tlie rock. He was a bright new-run 
 fish, and a rare deep one, of at least 30 Ib. 
 
 The loss was most annoying; however, there was 
 nothing to be done but to try for another. But fish, 
 like cards, never forgive, and we had not another 
 touch. The moral we noted was, that if you have an 
 attendant who is not up to his work you had better by 
 far net or gaff your own fish, and leave him to confine 
 his energies to the transport of the bag. 
 
 The poor chap was fearfully cut up at the loss ; so 
 we had not the heart to say much about it, especially 
 as we knew that he was most anxious for us to land 
 fish. But it was a sore point with him for a long 
 while, and many a bit of good-humoured chaff he had 
 to put up with upon the subject.
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 A OA1IE AUTUMN FISH. 
 
 ON the receipt of news that the river was in flood for 
 the first time since the summer, we arranged to arrive 
 there a couple of days later, by which time the water 
 would probably be in order, as, although it was just a 
 bit early for a run of large fish, yet there would cer- 
 tainly be a lot up fresh from the sea and so likely to 
 take. 
 
 Upon arrival we were somewhat disappointed to find 
 the river much lower than we had expected, and came 
 to the conclusion that, in the first place, the advice we 
 had received of the height of the flood had been some- 
 what exaggerated, and, secondly, that the two nights of 
 frost which had intervened had caused the river to fall 
 iu quickly. However, there was no doubt that the 
 fresh-run fish could not have yet passed by to the upper 
 waters, so we determined to have a few days with 
 them. 
 
 After a few hours at the waterside it was evident 
 there were but few fish up, and those very careful of
 
 Ex Libris 
 C. K. OGDEN
 
 BY HOOK AND BY CROOK. 
 
 BY 
 
 FRASER SANDEMAN. 
 
 WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY THE AUTHOR. 
 
 HENRY SOTHERAN & CO., 
 
 LONDON : 37 PICCADILLY, W.; 136 STRAND, W.C. 
 MANCHESTER : 49 CROSS STREET. 
 
 1892.
 
 PRINTED BY TAYLOR AND FRANCIS, 
 RED LION COURT, FLEET STREET.
 
 DEDICATION. 
 
 Without the desire to evade criticism for what may 
 be considered errors in the detail of this volume, it is a 
 relief to share the onus of its production with my 
 kinsman, Lieut.-Col. JOHN GLAS SANDEMAN, R.B.Gr., 
 for, indeed, without his valuable encouragement and 
 assistance these pages would not yet have been submitted 
 to tlie public. 
 
 1127857
 
 PREFACE 
 
 THE contents of this little volume claim no literary or 
 artistic merit, but simply purport to be reproductions 
 of impressions fixed upon the mind of an angler during 
 his -wanderings by the waterside, worked out while 
 resting upon the river-bank or at the close of the day 
 endorsed by subsequent observation. 
 
 The lessons taught by friends which Nature has 
 ordained to dwell in the water, by the waterside, or 
 on the moorland, are merely repeated, with the hope 
 that no trust is betrayed, and that the word "Finis" 
 may not sever friendships which have been full of 
 interest, while beguiling many a lonely hour. 
 
 Should these repetitious gain some little attention, 
 and the failures described form a chart by which 
 perils may be avoided, the object of these pages will 
 have been achieved. 
 
 ERASER SANDEMAN. 
 
 July 1892.
 
 CONTENTS, 
 
 CHAP. Page 
 
 I. " THERE 's MANY A SLIP 'TWIXT THE CUP AND THE 
 
 LIP " 1 
 
 II. A GAME AUTUMN FISH 7 
 
 III. THE ANGLER'S FRIENDS AND ENEMIES 15 
 
 IV. THE ANGLER'S DRESS 18 
 
 V. AUTUMN SALMON-FISHING 21 
 
 VI. FLY-FISHING TACKLE 27 
 
 VII. WADING 44 
 
 VIII. CASTING AND WORKING OF FLY 51 
 
 IX. TROUT-FISHING IN THE " NORTH COUNTRIE " . . . . 58 
 
 X. KEEP YOUR FLY ON THE WATER 65 
 
 XI. PLAYING A FISH 72 
 
 XII. FLIES : NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL 80 
 
 XIII. How TO DRESS A SALMON-FLY 88 
 
 XIV. ORIGINAL PATTERNS OF SALMON-FLIES 96 
 
 XV. FEATHERS CHIEFLY REQUIRED IN DRESSING 
 
 HOOKS 103 
 
 XVI. THE INGLORIOUS DEATH OF A THAMES TROUT . 104
 
 Vlll CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAP. Page 
 
 XVII. THE END OF THE SEASON 114 
 
 XVIII. A FINE BAG ON THE TEST 123 
 
 XIX. A LUCKY EVENING 130. 
 
 XX. CHUB-FISHING ON THE THAMES. (FLY.) 137 
 
 XXI. MAY-FLY FISHING 144 
 
 XXII. A LUCKY EASTER HOLIDAY 155 
 
 XXIII. A WILD GOOSE CHASE 177 
 
 XXIV. A QUEER CAPTURE 182 
 
 XXV. GALWAY BRIDGE 185 
 
 XXVI. BYE-DAY REMINISCENCES . . : 190 
 
 XXVII. FISHING THE MINNOW FOR SALMON 200 
 
 XXVIII. A CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS 207 
 
 XXIX. A PRETTY KETTLE OF FISH 227 
 
 XXX. THE INSTINCT AND SENSES OF FISH 236 
 
 XXXI. SAPROLEGNIA FERAX 245 
 
 XXXII. TIDAL WATERS 255
 
 LIST OF ILLUSTKATIONS. 
 
 FULL-PA GE ILL USTRA TIONS. 
 
 Thames Trout , Frontispiece 
 
 1 . Trout-Flies facing P' 7 ffe 58 
 
 2. Head of Smolt ' 01 
 
 3. Salmon-Fly 88 
 
 4. Hook in stages of being dressed 90 
 
 5. Hackles prepared for dressing ,, 91 
 
 6. Hook in stages of being dressed ,, 92 
 
 7. Hooks 94 
 
 8. Salmon-Flies. No. 1 & variety 96 
 
 ' w. * * * ''' 
 
 10. 5&6 98 
 
 11- 12 101 
 
 12. 13 & 14 102 
 
 18. May-Flies 149 
 
 14. Fly and Minnow Boxes ,, ,, 225 
 
 15. Disecised Salmon . . 245 
 
 ILLUSTRATIONS IN THE TEXT. 
 
 1. Lost ! , page 14 
 
 2. Knot attaching Fly 43 
 
 3. The Fisherman's Companion 64 
 
 4. Grayling 129 
 
 5. Larva of May-Fly 154 
 
 6. The Angel 200 
 
 7. Salmon seized by Otter 226 
 
 8. Gone ! 2:35 
 
 9. Salmon or Sea-Trout Fly 255 
 
 b
 
 BY HOOK AND BY CROOK. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 u THESE' s MANY A SLIP 'TWIZT THE CUP AND THE LIP." 
 
 IT was towards the end of April, the cold winds of a 
 late winter had apparently departed, while the budding 
 hedgerows proclaimed the approach of spring and the 
 termination of the spring salmon-fishing ; so we were 
 fortunate in having a few days at our disposal before 
 putting up the rods for their summer holiday. 
 
 Rain was reported by the papers to have been pretty 
 general for the few previous days over the district 
 which we proposed to visit ; but upon arrival we 
 found, as is often the case, that it had not affected 
 the river, and a glance at " the stane abeun the brig " 
 caused our hopes to fall, as, instead of " lepping " over 
 it, the water was leaving a good eight inches dry. 
 
 B
 
 2 ST HOOK AND BY CROOK. 
 
 This state of affairs was no good augury ; neverthe- 
 less, with four days at our disposal, and a thorough 
 " ken " of every pool, we did not despair of some sport. 
 
 We fished the first two days, and by Saturday 
 evening had only landed one kelt, which of course 
 was returned to the water, and things would have 
 in all probability gone badly with us had not some 
 rain fallen in the hills that same night, which, by 
 Monday morning, brought the river down some four or 
 five inches, showing a fair tinge of colour. 
 
 This was a decided improvement in our prospects, 
 giving us renewed hope, as although this slight rise was 
 not sufficient to bring fresh fish up from the sea, yet it 
 would have caused those lying lower down to shift up, 
 and, as is often the case under such circumstances, 
 might induce them to take. 
 
 Full of hope and breakfast, we made any early start 
 on the Monday, and fished two or three pools with 
 every care, but without success, and, strange to say, 
 although the fish were jumping all over the place, not 
 one could be induced to pay the slightest attention to 
 delicacies in the shape of fly or angel (minnow) . 
 
 In no very cheerful mood we moved up to the next 
 pool above, which was always our favourite on account 
 of the sport it generally afforded and the variety of 
 casting it entailed to properly fish it. 
 
 The head of the pool breaks over large boulders of 
 rock, which raise the stream into miniature billows and 
 afford excellent resting-places for the fish ; lower down
 
 THERE S MANY A SLIP, ETC. 3 
 
 the currents gradually subside into fast-running curling 
 Avater, only to be commanded by wading down under 
 the high cliff of red sandstone rock, from the crevices 
 of which trees of many sorts projected, overhanging 
 and shading the pool. 
 
 Here and there the angler could wade out into the 
 pool; but, for the most part, to command the catch the 
 Spey cast had to be adopted, and even so it was difficult 
 to fish it systematically down to the tail, as the eddies 
 at the side sank the line at the angler's feet and pro- 
 hibited everything but the use of a very short cast. 
 
 We fished it down assiduously with the fly without 
 even a touch, but as the sun was beating straight down 
 on the pool we could not but feel that failure was not 
 entirely the fault of the fish. 
 
 In this state of the water we knew it was not the 
 slightest use trying any but broken water, so we 
 replaced the fly with the minnow and prepared to fish 
 it down again. 
 
 Large fish were continually jumping, as if to jeer at 
 us ; and as, flashing in the sunlight, their silvery sides 
 now and again fell flat on the surface of the water, the 
 smack they made resounded for some distance and was 
 sufficient to spur any angler on to redoubled efforts. 
 
 When fish are jumping all over a pool in this manner 
 it seems incredible that not even one will make a mis- 
 take ; but experience teaches that, whichever way they 
 are inclined, they are, nine times out of ten, all of one 
 mind. One keeps saying to one's self, " If only one 
 
 B2
 
 4 SY HOOK AND SY CROOK. 
 
 would take hold ! " but they don't, until perhaps one 
 is getting thoroughly sick of it, and then at a most 
 unexpected moment a fish takes the fly with a bang, 
 and it is such a surprise that one is very likely to lose 
 the fish in striking him too hard. 
 
 In the present instance we had only fished a few yards 
 down, and were casting the angel from the point of the 
 rod with a short line in the very roughest water, when 
 a big fish came at it with a bang that nearly pulled the 
 rod out of hand and rendered any striking impossible 
 and unnecessary. Fortunately we had put on a treble 
 gut cast, or without doubt there would have been an 
 accident. However, this time everything was safe and 
 sound ; and after the rod had replied to the tug we 
 were delighted to find the fish well hooked and a big 
 one. 
 
 He ran about thirty yards off the reel at top speed, 
 and then commenced to lash out with head and tail upon 
 the surface of the water. It was a case of " Hold hard, 
 good tackle ! " and hold hard it did, so that he then 
 settled down in a more orderly fashion. This gave us 
 our opportunity, and while holding him lightly we 
 carefully threaded our way out amongst the boulders, 
 until we gained shallow water on the level surface of 
 the rock, then reeled up to him and, thinking he had 
 enjoyed sufficient inactivity, put extra pressure on, to 
 which he replied by a leap, showing himself to be a 
 large fresh-run cock fish. 
 
 He next rushed down to the depths of the pool, then
 
 " THERE *S MANY A SLIP," ETC. 5 
 
 up to the surface, and so on, until in about fifteen 
 minutes from the start he was dead beat, having had a 
 real warm time. 
 
 We then gained possession of our net, which at the 
 commencement of hostilities we had placed up against 
 the rock ; but our man, upon seeing the position of 
 affairs, waded down to us, took the net, and tried to 
 pass it over the head of the fish; but the net heing 
 small we feared that the triangles in the snout of the 
 fish might get hitched up in the meshes, so we told him 
 to drop the net and tail the fish. 
 
 This he did, and we breathed freely, thinking that the 
 fish was as good as landed ; but such was not to be, as 
 the sequel proves. 
 
 The fish's tail was very thick, and our man, thinking 
 he had not a sufficiently secure hold to enable him to 
 get safely to land, lifted him high up with his right 
 hand, while with the left he tried to hold the net under 
 him, intending to drop him into it, to make assurance 
 doubly sure. 
 
 We told him to put the net into the water, so that 
 when he let the fish go the water might take the weight 
 off the net. However, before he could follow orders, 
 he somehow or other let the fish slip from his grasp, 
 with the fatal result that he went through the net like 
 a flash of lightning, the hooks tearing a hole for him to 
 pass. We were still hoping to feel the line tighten ; 
 but no, it came back to us severed just above the bait, 
 the triangles remaining in his mouth, while the body of
 
 O EY HOOK AND BY CROOK. 
 
 the angel fell on to the rock. He was a bright new-run 
 fish, and a rare deep one, of at least 30 Ib. 
 
 The loss was most annoying; however, there was 
 nothing to be done but to try for another. But fish, 
 like cards, never forgive, and we had not another 
 touch. The moral we noted was, that if you have an 
 attendant who is not up to his work you had better by 
 far net or gaff your own fish, and leave him to confine 
 his energies to the transport of the bag. 
 
 The poor chap was fearfully cut up at the loss ; so 
 we had not the heart to say much about it, especially 
 as we knew that he was most anxious for us to land 
 fish. But it was a sore point with him for a long 
 while, and many a bit of good-humoured chaff he had 
 to put up with upon the subject.
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 A GA2TE AUTUMN FISII. 
 
 ON the receipt of news that the river was in flood for 
 the first time since the summer, we arranged to arrive 
 there a couple of days later, by which time the water 
 would probably be in order, as, although it was just a 
 bit early for a run of large fish, yet there would cer- 
 tainly be a lot up fresh from the sea and so likely to 
 take. 
 
 Upon arrival we were somewhat disappointed to find 
 the river much lower than we had expected, and came 
 to the conclusion that, in the first place, the advice we 
 had received of the height of the flood had been some- 
 what exaggerated, and, secondly, that the two nights of 
 frost which had intervened had caused the river to fall 
 in quickly. However, there was no doubt that the 
 fresh-run fish could not have yet passed by to the upper 
 waters, so we determined to have a few days with 
 them. 
 
 After a few hours at the waterside it was evident 
 there were but few fish up, and those very careful of
 
 8 SY HOOK AND ST CROOK. 
 
 their skins ; so much so, that all we did that day was 
 to hook a fish which, after a few minutes' play, got 
 away, the probability being that he never was properly 
 hooked. 
 
 To reach him it was necessary to cast a very long 
 line, and, as is invariably the case under such circum- 
 stances (especially, as in this instance, when the stream 
 is slack), the strike, by the time it reached the fish, was 
 a very mild one ; and although we suspected he was but 
 lightly hooked, we had not sufficient pluck to give him 
 a second dose. 
 
 In these cases it is very difficult to determine what to 
 do whether to catch hold of him hard by the head, in 
 the hope of driving the hook home, or to play him 
 lightly and trust to luck. 
 
 In all probability the result would be the same which- 
 ever tactics might be adopted, viz. the loss of the fish ; 
 at least that has, unfortunately, been our experience. 
 Yet, after the loss of the fish, one always thinks that 
 other treatment might have been attended with a dif- 
 ferent result ; but, unfortunately, there are no means of 
 proving the matter. 
 
 This was the only chance we had that day ; so all we 
 could do was to mark down the rising fish for future 
 use. 
 
 We started off next morning, accompanied by a friend, 
 who had arrived from the North enticed by our descrip- 
 tion of sport obtained upon previous occasions, and 
 being anxious to blood him, put him into the pool,
 
 A GAME AUTUMN FISH. 
 
 having first of all described the salient points and 
 indicated the most likely spots for a taking fish. 
 
 It is curious how so many anglers accustom them- 
 selves to cast over one shoulder only, and more curious 
 that if right-handed casting is requisite the angler is 
 pretty certain to be an adept at left-handed, and vice 
 versa; and often, after fishing under these difficulties 
 for some time, he crosses over to the other bank and then 
 thinks that the left-handed practice has anything but 
 improved his right-handed casting. 
 
 Most anglers are fine fishermen during the after- 
 dinner smoke, and it is a rare thing to find one at that 
 time who can cast less than 30 yards ; this cast appears 
 to be much more easily accomplished in a 30-foot room 
 than at the waterside : perhaps the wind may account 
 for this ! 
 
 Upon this occasion right-handed casting was neces- 
 sary ; so, of course, our friend from the day of his birth 
 had been casting over the left shoulder. As his own 
 style was useless, and he could not manage the other, 
 he made a compromise by casting left-handed over the 
 right shoulder. 
 
 By this method the line, when at full length in the 
 air, instead of being pretty well in a line up stream, 
 flew direct inland and hovered over the high bank, upon 
 which turnips had elected to grow ; and it was in a 
 plucky attempt to transplant one of these into the river 
 that, unfortunately, his top joint came to grief, causing 
 a cessation of hostilities until a second top was fetched.
 
 10 EY HOOK AND SY CBOOK. 
 
 We then fished the pool without result, even in the 
 shape of a casualty ; and as not even the movement of 
 a fish did we see, both strolled down bank, drew several 
 pools blank, feeling pretty sick of it, although a fish 
 rose at our friend's fly, but, missing it, refused to make 
 a second attempt. 
 
 It was now getting late ; so we proposed to walk up 
 to the top pool, then, if our friend could not hook one, 
 to give it up for the day. But he was tired of the 
 business, and went home to do some letter- writing ; so 
 we decided to give it a cast over. 
 
 The first time down, at about the middle of the pool, 
 a fish took the fly with a bang ; and a rare lively one it 
 was. However, she came to bank in about a quarter of 
 an hour a pretty hen fish of about 16 lb., and fresh 
 run. Thus our day finished better than we anticipated. 
 We had a piece for dinner, and a better never was 
 tasted, the flesh being as firm as possible, with curd 
 between the flakes. 
 
 The water by this time had considerably fallen in ; so 
 the next day we determined to try some of the pools 
 lower down, which, as a rule, fished best in a lovvish 
 water. But we soon had cause to regret our decision, 
 as, after some hours at the waterside, we had not seen 
 a fish move. We then dropped down to our favourite 
 pool, in which we generally got a bit of sport. 
 
 Some pools seem to favour particular anglers, and get 
 known as so-and-so's pet pool ; and the remark may 
 often be heard, " That's the pool in which so-and-so
 
 A GAME AUTUMN FISH. 11 
 
 gets all liis fish." It may be that a particular angler's 
 method of casting and working the fly may suit a pool 
 better than that of others ; but more likely that, 
 in the first instance, having been lucky in a certain 
 pool, the angler bestows more attention upon it in the 
 future, in the same way that one angler gets most of his 
 fish with a particular pattern of fly, for the simple reason 
 that he mostly uses it ; but this is no proof that he 
 would not have done equally well with another pattern. 
 
 This, our favourite pool, was a difficult one to fish, 
 the sandstone rock towering out of the very river to a 
 height of 200 feet or more, and supporting many trees, 
 which extended their branches over the stream down to 
 the water-level. 
 
 The combination of left-handed casting and switching, 
 which the background necessitated, caused our friend, 
 by his recent experiences, to decline the contest ; so we 
 commenced to cast it, and about halfway down, under 
 an overhanging tree, felt that peculiar tug which no one 
 but an angler can appreciate. 
 
 We gave him another in response, when he settled 
 down in mid-channel, which was most obliging on his 
 part, as it enabled us to wade quietly back to the edge 
 of the pool, and while so doing shouted for our attendant 
 with the gaff, whom we were soon glad to see wading up 
 along the base of the rock. 
 
 Then the fun began ; for the fish, in answer to the 
 increased pressure applied, took a run of about 60 yards 
 straight down stream, then came to the surface, lashing
 
 12 SY HOOK AND SY CROOK. 
 
 out with head and tail on the rough waves, making us 
 tremble for the fate of our single gut. 
 
 He next came slowly back, enabling us to reel up, 
 but was no sooner at a handy distance than he made a 
 grand rush straight across the river, only halting within 
 a yard or so of the opposite bank, a distance of 70 to 
 80 yards. He then jumped clean out of the water, and 
 as soon as he fell in, without the slightest warning, 
 rushed straight back to our feet. It was simply im- 
 possible to reel up so as to take in the slack line ; and 
 consequently we did not for some time know if he were 
 still on. However, when we did reel up, rather to our 
 surprise he was still on. 
 
 He then gave us a bit of a rest, remaining stationary 
 at a depth of 15 feet of water for a quarter of an hour, 
 until, getting tired of his inactivity, we took a long, 
 steady haul at him, which had effect, as he replied with 
 a grand run down stream at such a pace that our reel 
 (a 5^-inch, with strong check) overran itself, coiling a 
 lot of line loosely the wrong way. 
 
 Thinking that first of all we had better put this right, 
 we waded a few yards back, paying out the line until 
 all was clear, and had scarcely reeled up five yards while 
 dropping down to the fish, when off he went again, 
 taking with him 30 or 40 yards of line, which caused 
 us to congratulate ourselves upon having taken an early 
 opportunity of getting it clear on the reel, or we should 
 certainly have parted with something. The fish then 
 came slowly up until opposite to us, and continued to
 
 A GAMJE AUTUMJY FISH. 13 
 
 make way up to the head of the pool, obliging us to pass 
 under the branches of the trees with the line reeled up 
 until the gut cast touched the rod top ; no sooner there, 
 than off he went down stream again with another run, 
 and again settled down. 
 
 This business was real good sport, such as one rarely 
 gets even with the best of springers ; still we must admit 
 that after a certain length of time docility in a fish can 
 be appreciated : however, this fish was unfettered by the 
 influence of school boards and prided himself upon the 
 eccentricities of his own sweet will, so, as soon as he 
 had rested awhile, indulged in a dive of about 30 ft., or 
 perhaps more, and just as we were speculating as to 
 what would be his next move, we felt the cast grate and 
 held hard against what was undoubtedly a rock in the 
 depths of the pool. 
 
 Here was a case of neck or nothing, and, for choice, 
 selecting the neck, we instantaneously dropped the point 
 of the rod to the level of the water, and felt the line 
 draw clear off the boulder, while immediately after the 
 fish jumped clean out of the water, almost under our 
 eyes, with the fly and cast hanging from his jaw. 
 
 With grave doubts we reeled up, as there so far was 
 nothing to prove that the line was not cut; however, 
 these were soon dispelled, as the gradual draw on the 
 line indicated that the ruse had been successful and the 
 fish was still on. 
 
 By this time the effects of his exertion were begin- 
 ning to tell, and his runs became shorter and shorter,
 
 14 SY HOOK AND BY CROOK. 
 
 signals of distress, intimating that the end was not far 
 off. No convenient place for gaffing presented itself, 
 so we encouraged him in making up stream, where the 
 water ran shallower over the rocky bottom, enabling 
 our friend to gaff him nicely behind the shoulder a 
 fresh-run cock fish of 23 lb., as bright and shapely as 
 any spring fish, without mark or scar upon him. 
 
 We were playing him for 1 hours, during which 
 he never gave us, or we gave him, a moment's rest, 
 being hard on him all the time : we never killed a 
 better sporting fish in spring or autumn, or one which 
 employed such a variety of means to effect escape ; he 
 was game to the last, dying with his back up, never 
 having showed a side throughout the long encounter.
 
 [ 15 J 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 THE ANGLER'S FRIENDS AND ENEMIES. 
 
 THE angler, by keeping his eyes wide open at the river- 
 side, may frequently obtain valuable information from 
 the movements of the animals and birds making their 
 homes by the water. For instance, the flight of a heron, 
 water-hen, or mallard will often denote the presence 
 of other anglers at adjacent pools, and when everyone 
 is fishing "jealous" such information may be valuable 
 and occasion a change of tactics. 
 
 Again, an inspection of the banks may discover foot- 
 prints, and by their impression the angler can frequently 
 determine when the pool was last fished and in which 
 direction the fisherman departed. 
 
 Care should be taken not to leave any kit within 
 reach of cattle, as they are very curious about any un- 
 common object, and will push it about until by chance 
 it falls into the river. This once happened to a friend 
 of ours with whom we were fishing, and upon returning 
 for his bag he could not find it anywhere, so came to
 
 16 BY HOOK AND SY CEOOE. 
 
 the unsatisfactory conclusion that either it had been 
 stolen or the cattle had pushed it into the water : the 
 former seemed unlikely, but still the more probable 
 explanation ; however, nearly six months after his fly- 
 book was returned to him by some fishermen who had 
 caught it while fishing with dredge-nets in the estuary 
 15 miles lower down; his name was just legible, but the 
 book was worthless, and the flies it contained ruined, 
 still the mystery was cleared up. 
 
 When otters are known to exist in a river, the angler 
 should be careful to put any fish he has killed out of 
 their reach, for, as we know to our cost, they are capable 
 of making off" with a fresh-killed salmon in broad day- 
 light the tracks of the animal in the sand left no room 
 for doubt in the instance we ojiote ; likewise pigs will 
 worry and devour salmon left within their reach. Not 
 long ago we left a large fish on the bank while fishing 
 the pool over a second time, and happening to look 
 round saw an old sow worrying it. We were casting 
 from a boat, and shouted aloud as the man pulled to 
 shore ; fortunately the fish, being over 30 lb., was too 
 large to enable her to mouth it until she seized it by the 
 tail and dragged it up the bank through a hedge. 
 When the man got to her she dropped the fish and 
 made for him open-mouthed, but she went off with a 
 well-directed kick on the snout. We fully expected 
 to view the fish badly mauled, but were glad to find that 
 a good washing in the river revealed nothing more 
 serious than a split in the tail.
 
 THE ANGLES' s FEIENDS AND ENEMIES. 17 
 
 It appeared that she and her companions were well 
 used to fish, being in the habit of grubbing up the 
 diseased ones which were taken out of the river from 
 time to time by the watchers ; and the farmer told us 
 that he had often observed the animals searching the 
 river edge for these, and that they would even enter the 
 water in their endeavours to make a capture. 
 
 Poultry also will eat such refuse; it is said to make 
 hens lay well.
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 THE ANGLER'S DRESS, 
 
 ALTHOUGH a matter of minor importance, a few sugges- 
 tions upon the subject may not be entirely unprofit- 
 able ; and as necessity exists that the angler should be 
 clothed somehow or another, there is no reason why 
 he should not select the kit best adapted for the 
 purpose. 
 
 The coat should be made with plenty of room across 
 the chest and back, and the sleeves large at arm-pit 
 and elbow, as nothing is more uncomfortable than to be 
 hindered by tightly-fitting garments when casting ; the 
 collar should be cut deep and made so that it can be 
 buttoned up under the chin when wanted. 
 
 Perhaps the pattern known as the Norfolk blouse is 
 the best suited for fishing, made with attention to the 
 above points, and provided with pockets in the breast, 
 which can be reached when the waders are on, the 
 material being such as will keep out both cold and rain. 
 
 A Shetland knitted jersey to wear under the waist- 
 coat will be found very useful in cold weather. 
 
 Knickerbockers and stockings are good, but breeches
 
 THE ANGLER'S DSESS. 19 
 
 of homespun made loose and to button down to the 
 ankle are easiest to put inside waders. 
 
 A waterproof coat or cape made long enough to over- 
 lap short waders and provided with hooks and eyes, so 
 that it can be shortened for use with high waders, will 
 be found very useful at times ; the sleeves should termi- 
 nate with india-rubber wristlets similar to those of a 
 diver's suit, so as to prevent the water running down 
 the arm when raised to cast. 
 
 It is just as well that the angler should be as invisible 
 as possible to the fish, and with this object he should 
 select the colour of his clothes. 
 
 There is not much room for doubt upon this subject, 
 as nature provides such an admirable pattern in the 
 heron, who gains his living in identically the same 
 positions as the human angler sometimes up to its 
 breast in water, at others standing on the stones at the 
 border of the stream ; so that if materials are selected 
 of a colour to resemble this bird's plumage the angler 
 will not be far wrong. 
 
 A cap made of cloth of loose texture is handy, as the 
 hooks can so easily be fixed in and released from its 
 threads, likewise the loop end of the gut attached to the 
 
 %. 
 
 Wading- boots or brogues should be well studded 
 with stout nails, to prevent slipping on the rocks, which 
 is a matter of serious importance upon many rivers. 
 
 Wooden clogs with iron rim on the sole are far the 
 best and cheapest for the purpose if the angler can 
 
 c2
 
 U SY HOOK AND ST CROOK. 
 
 learn to walk with them, the great advantage being that 
 the iron-rimmed sole holds so well upon rocks, and 
 when worn down can be readily renewed. 
 
 Waders should always be tried on at time of purchase, 
 as the different sizes are made of the same proportions, 
 whereas with men it is not so.
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 AUTUMN SALMON-FISHING. 
 
 SPRING fishing, there can be no doubt, is held in 
 higher esteem than back-end or autumn fishing, and 
 generally most anglers will say rightly so, although we 
 do not think the argument is so one-sided as many would 
 have us believe, as we have landed many and many a 
 plucky autumn fish after having afforded as fine sport 
 as any spring fish we have ever grassed, and unfortu- 
 nately we must admit that many have succeeded by 
 their struggles in either making escape or breaking 
 us. 
 
 Yet, generally speaking, the spring fish must be con- 
 sidered superior for sporting and kitchen purposes to 
 their later running brethren, for the simple reason that 
 they, ascending the rivers in the early months of the 
 year, leave the sea with their spawn in a much less 
 developed state than those running up in the autumn ; 
 the spawn also in the initial stages advances more slowly 
 towards ripeness, and is further retarded by the lower 
 temperature of the water in early months, so the spring 
 fish naturally retain the condition in which they enter
 
 22 ST HOOK AND BY CSOOE. 
 
 the river longer than the autumn fish, and, in conse- 
 quence, afford the angler more sport. 
 
 To resume : the condition of the fish they capture 
 and the amount of sport afforded in the process appear 
 to some anglers to be secondary considerations, as 
 compared with the actual attainment of something for 
 the pot; the golden- coloured fish which has been in 
 the river for weeks hanging about a pool until the milt 
 is almost dropping out of him is quite as desirable an 
 acquisition as the fresh-run autumn fish ; a fish is a fish 
 to him, and he may be observed sticking for days to- 
 gether into a pool of slow-running water, from which 
 he occasionally hauls an old red he with as much satis- 
 faction as he would a fresh-run fish. 
 
 Such anglers must know from the nature of the deep 
 silent pool that it is no resting-place for a fresh fish ; 
 they can see the great red hes wallowing now and again 
 upon its surface, yet delight to confine their efforts to 
 their capture ; and should they perchance at the termi- 
 nation of the day's sport (?) have three or more killed 
 on the bank, the thin flanks and golden scales will not 
 detract one iota from the pride of their achievement. 
 
 We lately met one of these sportsmen (?) who was 
 gloating over the capture of three such fish, weighing 
 from 25 Ib. to 30 Ib. apiece, of a deep golden colour 
 from head to tail, and ornamented with snouts like that 
 of a pig. We had watched him land them from the 
 opposite bank, and the process was simple in the ex- 
 treme, for as soon as the fish was hooked he sulked
 
 AUTUMN SALMON-FISHING. 23 
 
 at the bottom, then gradually became exhausted, and 
 allowed himself to be hauled in to within reach of the 
 gaff, the behaviour of the fish and fisherman being pre- 
 cisely similar upon each occasion. 
 
 As the fish lay on the bank the milt was fairly exuding 
 from them, and altogether the spectacle was so repul- 
 sive that, in order to bring home to the angler some truth 
 of his wanton destruction, we were prompted to inquire, 
 " Whatever will you do with them ? " In a tone of 
 surprise the answer given was, tc Why, kipper them, to 
 be sure, and they will serve me and my friends in 
 Liverpool all the winter ! " 
 
 It was really a sickening sight, and we were glad to 
 pass on ; but never shall forget it, and the visions which 
 we conjured up while thinking how, perchance, if they 
 had been allowed to perform the functions of nature, 
 they would have gained finer proportions in the sea 
 and returned to give sport and food fit for man. 
 
 We saw this sportsman's takes duly recorded in the 
 leading sporting papers, the weights all given, but not 
 a word as to the condition of the fish. 
 
 This class of sportsman would probably argue that, as 
 the fish in that condition were of as much value to him 
 as if fresh-run, he was fully justified in laying himself 
 out for their destruction ; but by any one who did not 
 hold the virtues of the pot so immediately in view, the 
 system of killing the goose which would lay the golden 
 eggs (or, strictly speaking, fertilize them) would be 
 deprecated.
 
 24 XT HOOK AND ST CROOK. 
 
 The extension of the angling season, which of late 
 years has been granted on many rivers, has given great 
 scope to this doubtful class of sport ; and as it is beyond 
 argument that hundreds of fish are killed annually just 
 prior to the time when they would fulfil the require- 
 ments of nature, it is a very open question whether, 
 generally speaking, these extensions are not a mistake. 
 
 The extension was granted to give anglers the oppor- 
 tunity to kill fresh fish which ascend certain rivers at a 
 late period of the year, and also to give those fishing the 
 upper waters a fair chance of sport, and with these 
 objects was right enough, but unfortunately with the 
 use came the abuse. 
 
 The intrinsic value of the kelt in the economy of 
 nature cannot be compared with that of the ill-con- 
 ditioned unspawned fish, and thus it would seem an 
 anomaly that the latter is denied the legal protection 
 which is provided for the kelt. 
 
 Kelts and ill-conditioned unspawned fish usually 
 frequent the same portions of a pool, viz., the slow- 
 running deep water, for the simple reason that neither 
 has sufficient energy to combat the fast-running streams; 
 so as a rule any sportsman who is worthy of the name 
 can confine his efforts to waters which will give him 
 sport, avoiding catches which will in all probability only 
 yield what to him are worthless fish. 
 
 To such as these the extension is a great boon, and it 
 would be very hard upon them if the laws were repealed 
 on account of the unsportsmanlike practices of others ;
 
 AUTUMN SALMON-FISHING. 25 
 
 every sport or pastime has its unwritten laws which the 
 amateur (in the literal meaning of the word) loves to 
 respect, and to him a measure to prohibit the capture 
 of ill-conditioned unspawned fish would be welcome, 
 but inasmuch as no particular stage through which they 
 pass to this end can be readily defined, legislature can- 
 not intervene beyond fixing the close time. 
 
 With the kelt, of course, it is different, as his con- 
 dition is apparent to the practised eye or even hand, 
 although to novices a well-mended one may cause some 
 hesitation, when he first leaves the water. 
 
 It is unfortunate that towards the end of the angling- 
 season upon some rivers hen fish are caught in far greater 
 numbers than the cocks; to all appearances, judging 
 from the rising or jumping fish, there are more hes than 
 she-fish in the water, but the latter take more freely and 
 are in much better condition, frequenting right up to 
 the close of the season the swiftly-running streams 
 which at the commencement of another season will be 
 the home of the spring fish. 
 
 Of course at this season of the year the fresh-run 
 she-fish, although as bright as a shilling, are what is 
 known by the term " full-bellied"; yet in accordance 
 with our experience their condition does not handicap 
 them in their fight with the angler in fact we have 
 never had better sport than with many fresh-run 
 autumn fish that have fallen to our share. 
 
 The he-fish would appear to run up the rivers in the 
 autumn rather earlier than the she-fish and having
 
 26 SY HOOK AND BY CEOOE. 
 
 selected some deep pool as a suitable abode, rests there 
 until quite ripe for spawning, then shifts up to the 
 spawning-beds just above. "While resting in the deep 
 pools many fall victims to the tinsel-bodied fly, which 
 has a peculiar fascination for them in this condition. 
 Now the habits of the she-fish differ from this, in that 
 they appear to run up later and retain their bright 
 colour, taking the fly freely during the first few days 
 they are in the fresh water. 
 
 When they once commence to go off colour they 
 would seem to seek the spawning-beds and show no 
 desire for the fly, nor do they rise or jump out of the 
 water so frequently as is the habit with the males in a 
 like condition. It is more rare to catch a s^e-fish 
 discoloured and full of spawn, although they can be 
 seen easily enough lying adjacent to the redds. 
 
 In the kelt stage the she- fish appears to remain in 
 the river much later than the male, and, to compensate 
 for her self-imposed privations previous to spawning, 
 devours the smolts in great numbers, following them 
 down to the sea, or rather dropping down before them, 
 and may be said to remain in the river until the smolts 
 have departed. 
 
 Great numbers of smolts are thus destroyed before 
 they have a chance of reaching the sea; but the prolific 
 nature of the salmon renders this apparent waste a 
 matter of detail, and in all probability the kelt of both 
 sexes requires food to render him or her fit to face the 
 sea and their enemies contained therein.
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 FLY-FISHING TACKLE. 
 
 ANGLERS as a rule are very conservative in their ideas 
 respecting rods and tackle, for the simple reason that 
 they get accustomed to various makes and shapes, and 
 after a certain amount of practice find they can get as 
 much, and perhaps in each's own opinion more, out of 
 their selections than any other angler gets out of his. 
 Use is everything ; and it is only when a man lias 
 ascertained how he can obtain the greatest effect with 
 the least effort in casting, that he can say he is at home 
 with his rod and tackle. Yet because he has arrived 
 at perfection more or less with a certain make of rod, 
 it is no proof that he could not do better with another ; 
 and as there are other points to be taken into conside- 
 ration, the subject is worth a little thought. 
 
 When on the banks of a river two fishermen are 
 seen one fitted out with all the latest inventions sold 
 by the tackle-maker in point of rod, reel, line, &c., and 
 the other, may be, a working-man, to whom the pro- 
 prietor has given an odd day, relying on tackle of local
 
 28 BY HOOK AND EY CROOK. 
 
 or even home manufacture we cannot but remark the 
 differences of the two outfits, although if the two were 
 followed up, the one apparently the worst provided 
 might easily leave the river having had the better 
 sport, irrespective of the probability of his being a 
 local angler and therefore in possession of a thorough 
 knowledge of the water. 
 
 By commencing in this strain we by no means intend 
 to convey the idea that all new inventions are fads, as 
 of course improvements are continually being made in 
 angling appliances as in other articles ; but we certainly 
 consider that when an effective article has been ob- 
 tained, the simpler it is in construction the better it is 
 suited for work by the waterside, as, in the first place, 
 it is less liable to get out of order, and, secondly, should 
 it go wrong it is more easily put right. 
 
 The Rod. The main points to be considered in a 
 rod are (1) Strength and durability, (2) capability of 
 casting a long and light line, (3) the possibility of 
 repair at the waterside in case of accident, (4) combi- 
 nation for convenience of carriage, and (5) the ease 
 with which it can be put up and taken down. 
 
 The first three are all important, and the two latter 
 should not be allowed to interfere with them in any 
 way, as they are simply matters of convenience. 
 
 For salmon-fishing a three-jointed rod meets all 
 requirements, and as the most usual length is about 
 18 ft., plenty of good sound timber is procurable for 
 the manufacture of the requisite lengths, and at the
 
 FLY-FISHING TACKLE. 29 
 
 same time the rod is not inconvenient of carriage when 
 down. 
 
 For trout-fishing a rod from 10 ft. to 12 ft., in 
 accordance with the size of the river, consisting of 
 3 or 4 joints, is generally used, but details are not of 
 such importance in a trout- as in a salmon-rod, as the 
 strain is not as severe. 
 
 In most patterns of rods, joints, or rather joint- 
 fittings, are elements of weakness, and therefore it is 
 as well to do with as few of them as possible ; but as 
 we have to endure them, why should we not select 
 such as will minimize this weakness, or discard the 
 patterns which possess this defect ? 
 
 The rod whose joints are connected by splices is the 
 strongest pattern of all, as by this simple principle 
 what is usually the weakest is converted into the 
 strongest part; whereas in the ferrule-jointed rod the 
 actual joint is rigid, and consequently prevents the 
 entire rod bending together, and causes a series of jars 
 from butt to top, so much so that in time the edges of 
 the ferrule cut into the wood, breaking the skin, the 
 consequence being that sooner or later, when some 
 extra pressure is brought to bear, the rod breaks at the 
 point where nine out of ten breakages do occur in 
 ferrule-jointed rods viz., immediately above or below 
 the ferrule. The bell-mouthed ferrules now in use to 
 a certain extent overcome this difficulty, but the in- 
 herent cause of mischief still remains. 
 
 Another great objection to ferrules is that sooner or
 
 30 BY HOOK AND BY dtOOK. 
 
 later the water penetrates into them and destroys the 
 glue with which they are fixed, and, as it cannot dry 
 out, eventually rots the part of the joint contained 
 inside the ferrule. 
 
 A pin of brass is sometimes driven through the 
 ferrule and joint, which of course weakens the wood, 
 and it is here that the breakage usually takes place, 
 after which the angler will probably break every instru- 
 ment he has in his attempts to extricate the portion 
 still remaining, and when that is done he still has no 
 easy task, without the necessary tools, to refit the 
 joint. 
 
 A further objection still exists to ferrule joints viz., 
 that however much they may be soaped, oiled, or 
 vaselined, they frequently object to come apart, and 
 in the process of twisting the joints in opposite direc- 
 tions, or in the application of heat, damage is easily 
 done, either to the grain of the joint or the glue which 
 secures it. 
 
 Mineral oil dropped into the joint is about the best 
 thing for stubborn ferrules, as if left a little while it 
 will penetrate more quickly than any other oil. 
 
 The splice-jointed rod has none of these objections, 
 yet it is not what may be called the most popular 
 pattern, on account of the little extra time and labour 
 in making the splices. In point of time there is only 
 about a minute or two difference in putting up splice 
 and ferrule-jointed rod, so no doubt the process of 
 splicing is what handicaps it.
 
 FLY-FISHING TACKLE. 31 
 
 Splicing up a rod is certainly not the most pleasant 
 of operations in a cutting east wind, but still it does 
 not take long, and it is not always necessary to take 
 down more than the top joint. 
 
 Should a breakage occur in the middle of a joint 
 away from the ferrule or splice, it is of course as easy 
 to repair one pattern of rod as the other ; but should 
 the splice-jointed rod go at or close to the splice, it is 
 much more easily repaired than the same catastrophe 
 with a ferrule-jointed rod, and with the former it will 
 be generally admitted the casualties are few as com- 
 pared with those of the latter. 
 
 In casting with either pattern of rod any one who 
 is worthy to be called an angler should be able to 
 obtain all that is necessary, giving of course a few 
 hours' practice to get into the use of a new rod ; but 
 it is only fair to the ferrule rod to say that perhaps a 
 lighter line can be cast with it than with the splice 
 rod, yet against that the latter is far preferable for 
 switching, or the Spey cast. 
 
 As regards length of line to be thrown, there is not 
 much difference, but in the teeth of a wind we much 
 prefer the splice rod. 
 
 Built or spliced-cane trout-rods are very good to 
 cast with, but a breakage is too horrible to contem- 
 plate the splinters they fly into defy repair at the 
 waterside; so unless the angler is close to his own 
 door, he had better take a second rod out with him. 
 The cost of the rods also puts them beyond many
 
 32 BY HOOK AND BY CROOK. 
 
 pockets, and complaints are frequently being made of 
 the glue giving way, but with attention from time to 
 time this should be obviated. It may be argued that 
 they do not break, but we have seen many a one do so. 
 
 The same applies to this make of salmon-rod, and 
 those we have tried built with a steel centre are very 
 heavy in the hand as compared with our usual rod. 
 
 Each to his taste; but should the angler purchase 
 a cane-built rod, he must buy the best, irrespective of 
 price. 
 
 In some parts rods are almost entirely used having 
 the lower joint (rather more than two thirds of the 
 entire rod) composed of hollow bamboo, and the top 
 of lance-wood or greenheart. We have seen a good 
 line cast with these; but any one may have our share 
 of them, as, in our opinion, they are unwieldy and 
 cumbersome to cast and throw too much weight upon 
 the top joint when killing a fish, and are decidedly bad 
 against a wind, their cheapness being, in our opinion, 
 their only advantage, costing as they do about 20s. 
 
 It takes a long time to kill with them, and the fact 
 of their consisting of only two joints would be an 
 objection to many. 
 
 Taking all things into consideration, for salmon and 
 sea-trout fishing we prefer a splice-jointed rod, con- 
 sidering it the most serviceable in every way for the 
 strong rough work it has to do and go through ; for a 
 rod gets some nasty knocks while being dragged 
 through many a closely grown wood, and likely enough
 
 FLY-FISHIN& TACKLE. 33 
 
 at the same time over rough granite or sandstone 
 boulders upon which it takes the angler all his time to 
 keep his feet. Under such circumstances as these we 
 very much object to be obliged to give the attention to 
 our rod amongst the trees which should be bestowed 
 upon the more important work of keeping one's feet. 
 
 For trout-fishing the rod does not so much matter, 
 and as we incline to the belief that the ferrule rods as 
 now made cast a lighter line than splice rods (which is 
 the most important consideration), we give them the 
 preference. 
 
 For our own use in salmon-fishing we prefer the 
 Castleconnell rods, and for the stated reason we have 
 for many years used them. Our stock now consists 
 of three, and, although they have seen the roughest of 
 work, they are as sound as the day they were made ; 
 they each have two top joints, and all twelve joints are 
 now as they were made. Many times have we seen 
 the tops of ferrule-jointed rods break when the fly has 
 caught by accident in a tree or bank, and although we 
 have been often guilty of the same indiscretion, we have 
 never yet paid the penalty. Therefore we shall remain 
 true to our old friends, and may they continue to behave 
 to us as heretofore ! then we shall have no cause to alter 
 our opinion of Enright and his works. 
 
 Rod-fittings. These should be as simple as possible. 
 Two brass circular bands, one fixed and the other 
 movable, answer all purposes. 
 
 The rings should be large, so as to allow the line to
 
 34 BY HOOK AND BY CEOOK. 
 
 run through with little friction, and there should be 
 plenty of them, so as to distribute the weight evenly 
 over the entire length of the rod when casting or play- 
 ing a fish. 
 
 The size of the rings should decrease towards the top 
 of the rod, so as to prevent the line falling back through 
 them by its own weight ; but, as a rule, the size of the 
 rings is too much reduced towards the top, causing un- 
 necessary friction when paying out line, whereas the 
 line should take itself out as soon as released from the 
 reel without assistance from the rod. 
 
 Ferrules should be bell-mouthed at the ends towards 
 the middle of the joint they enclose, so as not to cut 
 the skin of the wood. 
 
 N.B. All rods should be kept well varnished, copal 
 varnish being the best for this purpose, so that they 
 may not become sodden by the water and lose their 
 spring; the varnish also materially stiffens the rod. 
 The difference in the pliability of a rod before and 
 after being revarnished is remarkable, as the angler 
 can easily prove for himself. 
 
 Rod-makers generally whip the rings on to the rod 
 with fine silk, probably on account of neatness, which 
 soon gets frayed and comes undone. This is a mistake ; 
 very thick silk should be used. 
 
 The Reel. The reel should be selected of such a 
 weight as will nicely balance the rod, and should be 
 tried with the rod for which it is intended before pur- 
 chase, the tendency being towards the selection of too
 
 FLY-FISHING TACKLE. 35 
 
 light a reel. A reel looks very much larger in a shop 
 than it does at the waterside. A salmon-reel should 
 be capable of holding from 100 to 120 yards of line ; 
 a trout-reel 30 yards of line. The drum of the reel 
 should be of large circumference, so that the line when 
 required can be quickly wound up, and being large 
 enables the reel to contain a given quantity of line 
 without necessitating a wide barrel. This makes the 
 reel of narrow width and large diameter, which is far 
 preferable to the reverse, as it winds the line up more 
 regularly and does not allow it to choke. 
 
 A reel of perfect workmanship is made by Moscrop, 
 25 Market Place, Manchester. It contains no screws, 
 can be taken to pieces in a moment, and the check 
 regulated at will. 
 
 For salmon-fishing a good strong check should be 
 provided; the usual ones are far too weak. 
 
 A reel such as this will answer all requirements of 
 fly-fishing, is simple in construction, and, if kept free 
 from grit and occasionally well lubricated with mutton- 
 fat, will last for ages. 
 
 On most rivers there exist spots where fish rest, but 
 are so fenced in that it is impossible to get a fly out. 
 To overcome this difficulty we use a minnow, with a 
 Nottingham reel, from which about 50 yards can be 
 cast from a position where there is only room to swing 
 a short rod. 
 
 These reels work admirably, and with half an hour's 
 practice anyone can become an adept in their use. 
 
 n2
 
 36 BY HOOK AND SY CROOK. 
 
 They are supplied by Slater of Newark-on-Trent, the 
 patentee, and by most tackle-makers. They cast best 
 with a small lead. 
 
 The Reel Line. It is of the first importance that the 
 line be selected of the correct weight to suit the rod, as 
 upon this point the ability to cast a long straight line 
 mainly depends. Nothing is more unsatisfactory than 
 being obliged to cast with a line too heavy or too light 
 for the rod ; it is difficult to say which is the greater 
 evil. If the line be too heavy, a long cast, which is 
 occasionally necessary, is out of the question, if any 
 regard be held for the rod, as nothing strains it sooner; 
 and if it be too light the cast cannot be made without 
 flicking or jerking, and then the line seldom falls straight. 
 By a straight line we mean a cast that is made so 
 that the fly strikes the water at the desired spot with 
 a length of line as little as possible in excess of the 
 distance to be covered, of course taking into calcula- 
 tion the angle made by the rod and the surface of the 
 water. 
 
 For Trout-fishing a silk and hair line plaited is per- 
 haps as good as anything, and if tapered for a 
 distance of about 15 yards to each end, so much 
 the better. Twisted lines kink. 
 
 For very fine fishing a plaited hair-line is best, 
 but in rough water a dressed silk line may be 
 preferred. 
 
 For Sea-trout-fishinff an undressed or dressed silk line 
 is the best. Most anglers will probably prefer the
 
 FLY-FISKINQ TACKLE. 37 
 
 latter, as they can be cast to a greater distance and 
 better against a wind. It should be about 40 to 
 50 yards in length. 
 
 For Salmon-fishing the line should be from 100 to 
 120 yards in length, in accordance with the size of 
 the water. These lines are made of plaited hair, 
 hair and silk plaited together, and plaited silk 
 dressed in various ways. The former are very 
 pretty to use, as line can be paid out so smoothly 
 from the rod ; they also fall lightly on the water, 
 which is not an objection ; but the dressed silk line 
 is in most general use. 
 
 These, although expensive, are probably the 
 cheapest in the long run, as, if well dried after 
 use, they are very serviceable, and they are easier 
 to cast with than undressed lines, especially in the 
 teeth of a wind. 
 
 There are many patent lines dressed in various ways, 
 the main object of all being to preserve the line from 
 becoming rotten by the action of the water ; and no 
 doubt the various recipes perform their duties with a 
 certain amount of success, but unfortunately many of 
 the dressings have a tendency to crack at any point 
 where the line has been doubled, and many of them 
 peel off. For instance, it often happens that the angler 
 trails his rod behind him while passing through a 
 wood, and now and again some branch or twig will 
 catch and hold the line, or the line while cast in the 
 air may be doubled back in a knot by a gust of wind,
 
 38 SY HOOK AND BY CEOOE. 
 
 so in either of these cases care must be taken in putting 
 it straight not to crack the highly varnished dressing. 
 
 We cannot stand this gingerbread class of tackle, 
 which requires more care (and therefore time) in 
 looking after it than the actual casting and working 
 of the fly. 
 
 We have complained of these faults to the tackle- 
 maker who supplied the lines, and the answer has in- 
 variably been "They were so first of all, but lately 
 the manufacturers have discovered a process which 
 eradicates those faults." 
 
 We sincerely hope they have, but at the same time 
 take no further interest in the subject, as after consi- 
 derable use are of opinion that, as a thorough dressing 
 for a line, there is nothing to beat plain boiled linseed- 
 oil. 
 
 We prefer those of a red-brown colour and semi- 
 transparent, the dressing they carry not being too 
 thick. They are a very good colour in the water, and 
 do not show so white after much use as most others, 
 and, if ordinary care be taken to dry them, will last 
 a long time. 
 
 Lines tapering at both ends are also sold, and if an 
 angler prefer them, by all means let him use them, but 
 there are some objections to them. It may be taken 
 for granted that in the tapered line the end to which 
 the gut cast is attached is no thicker than the weight 
 of the fish requires ; it follows, then, that the remainder 
 of the line is needlessly thick for the purpose of killing
 
 FLY-FISHING TACKLE. 39 
 
 fish. Thus an unnecessary weight is put upon the top 
 of the rod, and as casts of many different lengths are 
 made during a day's fishing, it often happens that a 
 thick portion of the line is just out of the top ring, 
 whose weight makes it touch the water straight under 
 the rod's point ; whereas if the line were of the ordinary 
 size it would be carried out much straighter by the 
 action of the stream upon its extremity, which is greatly 
 to be preferred, as then the angler is in much closer 
 touch with his fly. The extra weight also imposes more 
 strain upon the rod top and the angler's wrist in work- 
 ing the fly. 
 
 A line of the same size from end to end can be re- 
 versed on the reel when one extremity is worn; and 
 when both ends have been used in this way it can be 
 cut in the centre and the two worn ends spliced, thus 
 affording to all intents two new lines. 
 
 This latter device cannot be resorted to in the case of 
 the taper line, but being only a matter of economy 
 perhaps would not appeal to all. 
 
 The most economical angler will wind on his reel 
 about 70 yards oE strong twine (made for the purpose), 
 and whip to that 30 yards of the usual dressed silk, 
 which he will reverse when worn, thus obtaining vir- 
 tually six lines out of 100 yards of dressed line, but we 
 prefer the plan described above, by which four are 
 obtained. 
 
 Should a few yards of the untapered line become 
 too much worn to be safe, they can be cut off without
 
 40 SY HOOK AND BY CROOK. 
 
 prejudice to the weight of the line in casting, but not 
 so with the tapered line. 
 
 Gut Casts. In selecting gut it is as well to see that 
 it be round in form; this point is of the greatest 
 importance as regards strength, and no flat-sided strands 
 should be used as single gut. The form of gut is 
 apparent to the eye ; it can also be tested by rolling 
 the strands between fore finger and thumb, when, if 
 it be round, some difficulty will be found in making it 
 spin, whereas should it be at all flat it will quickly do so. 
 
 New gut is preferable, but by keeping in wash- 
 leather in a tin box it will little deteriorate ; but 
 whether new or old season's crop, gut should always 
 be well soaked before use. 
 
 For salmon-fishing a cast of two yards of treble 
 twisted or plaited gut, gradually tapered and termi- 
 nating with one yard of single gut, is in general use, 
 except when the water is very fine, when a cast com- 
 posed entirely of single gut may be preferred. For 
 salmon-fishing the cast should end with a loop at 
 either extremity. 
 
 For sea- trout and trout, single gut is sufficiently 
 strong. Gut should be stained, and perhaps the blue 
 shade in general use is as good as any other ; but this 
 may be left to the individual taste of the angler. 
 
 A tumbler full of ink with a piece of copperas of 
 about the size of a pea makes a very good stain ; the 
 cast should be washed in water as soon as it has 
 attained the desired shade. Stain only for present use.
 
 FLY-FISHING TACKLE. 41 
 
 It should be remembered that, to judge of the 
 colour of all tackle used under water in the capture of 
 fish, it is necessary to regard them from the fishes' 
 and not the anglers' point of view, for in one case 
 light is the background and in the other darkness 
 relieved by reflected light. 
 
 The cast may be attached directly to the fly, but 
 when (as is usually the case with salmon-flies) the 
 hook is only furnished with a loop at the head, the 
 better plan is to have a single strand of gut attached 
 by a knot to the fly, the other end terminating with a 
 loop by which it is fastened to the gut cast. By this 
 method time is saved in changing flies, and it protects 
 the neck of the fly and end of the cast from wear and 
 tear. 
 
 We have now arrived at the hook, the pattern of 
 which may be left to the taste of the angler, those in 
 most general use perhaps being the Limerick and the 
 Sprout Bend ; but whatever pattern of hook be used, 
 it is most important that the gut loop be securely 
 whipped to it, and with this object the whipping 
 should extend from the shoulder to the point where 
 the bend commences, just above the space to be 
 occupied by the butt and tinsel ; and in order that the 
 body may not appear clumsy when dressed, should 
 treble gut be used, the strands may be cut off at 
 different lengths to form a taper. 
 
 Landing-nets and gaffs are made in various patterns ; 
 those with telescopic handles are most convenient, and
 
 42 BY HOOK AND BY CSOOJT. 
 
 the nets should be well coated -with varnish so that 
 the hook may not become hanked. 
 
 For wading in rough places, should the gaff or net be 
 affixed to a good stout stick it will afford great assistance. 
 
 Our favourite outfit for salmon-fishing is : An 18ft. 
 6 in. Castleconnell rod ; a good large reel with handle 
 attached to plate, weight 22 oz. ; 100 yds. of silk line 
 dressed with boiled linseed-oil ; and a cast composed of 
 2 yds. of treble twisted and 1 yd. of single gut, the 
 stoutest and roundest obtainable. 
 
 "With this tackle an excellent cast can be made of a 
 length to satisfy most people and a fish played with 
 confidence, while the weight is not such as will cause 
 the angler to feel distressed at the end of his day ; 
 although, should he be compelled to thread his way 
 through woods or over rocky cliffs, he can afford to 
 give his whole attention to the foothold, the tackle 
 being tough enough to resist any raps it may receive by 
 contact with the surrounding obstacles. 
 
 Of course it must not be inferred that rod and 
 tackle are advocated of such strength as will enable the 
 angler to march headlong through rough country with- 
 out any chance of breakage ; but we heartily detest to 
 have drawing-room articles put into our hands for use 
 over rough country, the safety of which is an incessant 
 anxiety, and, sooner or later, with the use of such the 
 angler is certain to be done out of half a day's fishing. 
 
 We have three such rods as described above, and 
 although they have had nothing beyond ordinary con- 
 sideration shown them, are as sound as on the day
 
 FLY-FISHING TACKLE. 43 
 
 they were made, while we should be sorry to say how 
 many rods of other patterns we have seen part com- 
 pany while casting a line or playing a fish. 
 
 These rods have upon many occasions been pressed to 
 uproot a turnip growing in the field behind, or a tree 
 or bush by the waterside, but have merely expressed 
 their inability to perform such feats by a polite refusal, 
 whereas they might have resented the imposition of 
 such tasks in a much more unpleasant manner; for 
 this we respect them. 
 
 Hair Casts are used in some parts of the country, but 
 the use of them is dying out, and good hair is difficult to 
 get. The great advantage claimed for them is that they 
 do not show so much in the water as gut, and fall lightly. 
 
 They are very elastic and cast remarkably straight, 
 but the great objection we have to them is that they 
 are so inclined to float on the surface. 
 
 KNOT ATTACHING CAST TO FLY. 
 
 There are several ways of knotting the cast to the 
 fly, but we prefer that given in the drawing, as by no 
 possibility can the gut draw out, consequently the 
 angler has only breakage to fear. 
 
 When we have been obliged to use a reel too light 
 for the rod, a few ounces of sheet lead wound round 
 the butt below the reel have been of great assistance.
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 WADING. 
 
 THE angler should only wade when he cannot com- 
 mand the catch by casting from the bank, as his 
 presence in the water tends to scare the fish lying 
 towards his bank ; but when, by so doing, the catch is 
 better commanded and the fly presented more per- 
 fectly to the fish, he should not hesitate to take the 
 water. 
 
 The requirements are a pair of waterproof stockings 
 or trousers, whichever the depth of the water may 
 require, a pair of coarse woollen socks over them for 
 protection against grit, and lastly a pair of boots, or 
 brogues as they are commonly called, of stout make, 
 with soles well studded with large flat nails to enable 
 him to keep a firm footing upon rocks, &c. 
 
 It is convenient to have wading-trousers sufficiently 
 wide at the top to take in the coat without packing, as 
 should the angler by accident lose his footing and get 
 carried out of his depth they will soon fill and enable 
 him to use his legs, whereas should they fit tightly, 
 under the same circumstances the air they contain
 
 WADING. 45 
 
 cannot readily escape, and consequently his legs float 
 to the surface. 
 
 It frequently happens that a catch can he reached 
 by casting from the bank, yet the intervening current 
 sweeps the line away and the fish has a short period in 
 which to notice the fly, then wading is a great assis- 
 tance; also the gain of a few yards may enable the 
 angler to reach, although imperfectly, a rising fish, 
 and so give him a chance of attracting the fish during 
 the initial stages of the fly's semi-circuit, when he may 
 follow it round and eventually take it. 
 
 We must confess to having no great faith in casting 
 an extraordinary length of line, as, even should the fish 
 take, the strike is so late that the majority merely get 
 pricked ; yet fish are occasionally lured in this manner, 
 as may be readily observed from such points of vantage 
 as Galway Bridge. 
 
 There is one golden maxim to be observed in wading, 
 i. e. never cross your legs ; and if it be studiously 
 adhered to, many a ducking will be avoided. 
 
 Wading down stream as it were on the top of your 
 fish is strictly to be avoided, as the disturbance made 
 by the legs in the stream and the " foil " (gravel or any 
 other matter) displaced by the feet scare fish so much 
 that they will not look at the bait. 
 
 We know pools where in order to fish from a 
 particular side the natural surroundings necessitate 
 wading, the stream so running that it travels from 
 one's feet to where the fish lie, and although we have
 
 46 BY HOOK AND BY CKOOE. 
 
 fished them many a time, we could never get a rise ; 
 whereas, when wading from the other bank, within a 
 short space of time success has resulted, and we could 
 only attribute the difference to aforesaid reasons. 
 
 From our own observation an unnatural disturbance 
 of the water tends greatly to scare fish; and as an 
 example at a certain " caul " or weir, at which we 
 spend many a Sunday afternoon, the fish lie close in 
 shore, resting in a small back wash of boiling water, 
 and will remain there heedless of man's presence ; but 
 if he dip his hands into the eddy, away they go down 
 the fall which they have had much labour to sur- 
 mount. 
 
 When the angler possesses thorough knowledge of 
 the water, he can don his waders and flop into the 
 water at one point and then another; but should he 
 not have this knowledge, or when the water is very 
 high, he had better previously take a few casts from 
 the bank, in order to give a chance to any fish that 
 may lie close in shore they occasionally lie in curious 
 places. 
 
 An angler's success depends in a great measure upon 
 his knowledge of the conformation of the river's bed, 
 and if it be possible he had better study it at summer 
 level; then when the pool is in fishing trim it will be 
 to him as an open page, although its peculiarities are 
 invisible. Should the bed of a pool be composed of 
 gravel the lie of the fish is apparent to a stranger ; but 
 where resting-places are formed by large rocks or
 
 WADING. 47 
 
 edges of rocks over which the stream smoothly glides, 
 it is another matter. 
 
 In the neck of a pool, should there be large stones at 
 the bottom, fish will lie behind them right in the centre 
 of the stream ; but when the bottom is of gravel they 
 will generally lie a little to either side of the centre, 
 usually showing a partiality for one side ; and the fly 
 when practicable should be cast over a fish from the 
 bank nearer him, as then, if made to fall into the centre 
 of the current, the rod at the completion of the cast 
 being maintained at right angles across the stream, it 
 completes its course over the lie of the fish, apparently 
 escaping from the rough water. 
 
 It is nigh useless to attempt a presentation of the 
 fly to fish lying beyond the centre of the stream, as 
 immediately the fly falls it is swept away before any 
 fish can see it. 
 
 It may be argued that by this method of casting the 
 off chance is gained of attracting a fish from beyond 
 the current, while the ultimate presentation to those 
 lying on the angler's side is not prejudiced ; but it must 
 be borne in mind that in this manner a longer line is 
 required to produce the same result, which is a decided 
 objection. 
 
 In considering the correct method to present the 
 fly, the direction from which floating matters ap- 
 proach fish should be remarked, so that the hook 
 may be made to approach in a regular orthodox 
 manner the fish, who by habit is on the watch for
 
 48 BY HOOK AND BY CROOK. 
 
 articles coming down and sees nothing extraordinary 
 in its progress, whereas he is apt to regard any varia- 
 tion with suspicion, if he should notice it at all. 
 Therefore when fish lie on either side of a current and 
 the angler can fish from both banks, by all means let 
 him do so ; but if he have not this advantage, he may 
 as well be content to fish the side of the stream nearer 
 his own bank and save much time. 
 
 Lower down the pool where the current is more 
 widely distributed it is another matter ; there no harm 
 is done by covering as much water as a fair cast 
 permits ; but perhaps the better plan is to make two 
 beats of it the first with a fairly short line, and the 
 second with an extra long cast, This method takes 
 time, and by some anglers may be considered tedious, 
 but he who adopts it only uses a long line when abso- 
 lutely necessary. 
 
 When the wading only extends a few yards from the 
 bank one is apt to shirk it, thinking, " What is the use 
 of wading when one can make the cast as well from 
 the bank, and if necessary drop the fly to a consider- 
 able distance beyond ? " But this frequently is not the 
 point, as, may be, a ledge of rock or some other 
 harbour secretes fish over whose heads the fly, when 
 cast from the bank, too quickly passes out of sight, 
 whereas if cast from a point farther out would hang 
 over them towards the completion of its course. 
 
 When lately fishing with a friend an instance 
 of this occurred : we had taken particular pains in
 
 WADING. 49 
 
 giving a hint here and there, the main point being the 
 advisability of fishing the pool in twice, as above 
 described. He adopted this method without result, 
 and a quarter of an hour later we went in. Naturally 
 it was useless to cast inside the line where he had 
 waded, so we started with the out fishing. 
 
 "Why don't you fish close in first of all?" he 
 shouted, with just a suspicion in his tone of "practice 
 what you preach." The reason was explained, and the 
 incident passed off. 
 
 Curiously enough the very next day we were fishing a 
 pool and commenced casting with a very short line from 
 the bank, and hooked a fish almost immediately which 
 turned the scale at 17 Ib. He had been lying in an 
 eddy formed by an anchored tree-stump, and had we 
 waded in to commence with we should have scared him 
 away as sure as fate. 
 
 Later in the day we were standing back on the bank 
 with the rod projecting scarcely six feet beyond, and 
 hooked a large fish on a very short line, which after 
 three-quarters of an hour's hard work broke the gut 
 cast, or rather one of the knots drew out. The fish 
 made several rushes, then sulked for some time, when 
 by the continued heavy strain the -knot of a badly 
 mended cast drew out and we parted company. 
 
 When wading a strange stream or one in which the 
 angler may have to retrace his steps so as to regain the 
 bank, it is as well now and again to try the strength of 
 the current in order to secure retreat, as it is far from
 
 50 EY HOOK AND SY CROOK. 
 
 pleasant to suddenly discover that the depth bars 
 further progress, while the force of the current pro- 
 hibits a safe return. 
 
 When wading a sharp stream running over a fine 
 gravel bottom, the angler should take care that his 
 foothold be not swept away, and it is wise not to present 
 a broadside to the stream.
 
 CHAPTER. VIII. 
 
 CASTING AND WORKING OF FLY. 
 
 THE art of casting the line in fly-fishing is with a little 
 practice soon attained, but the little turns of the wrist 
 and forearm which, under various circumstances, are 
 brought into requisition by the accomplished angler 
 are only acquired after considerable experience in 
 handling the rod. 
 
 The would-be fly-fisher to commence with had best 
 carefully watch an adept, noting the course of the rod 
 and line and the moments when the former is asked to 
 exert itself to lift the line from the water and again 
 return it. Then he may take up the rod and attempt 
 to imitate what he has seen, asking his mentor now 
 and again to put his hand over his own grasping the 
 rod, and so make a cast or two which will convey to 
 him the correct method. 
 
 There may be said to be three methods of casting 
 the ordinary or overhead cast, the underhand cast in 
 which the rod is moved horizontally instead of as in 
 the former perpendicularly, and the " Switch" or Spey 
 cast. 
 
 E2
 
 52 BY HOOK AND BY CROOK. 
 
 The overhead cast is made by gently bringing the fly 
 to the surface of the water, then drawing it and the 
 line upwards and backwards with sufficient force to 
 poise the entire length in air behind the back of the 
 angler, as near as possible in a straight line, to whose 
 hand the precise moment of this occurrence is notified 
 by the increased weight on the top of the rod, which 
 then should be impelled with increasing force until it 
 has attained little if anything beyond the perpendicular, 
 then its further progress should be checked. 
 
 One mistake generally made by beginners is to 
 drag the line out of the water before previously 
 having raised it to the surface with unbent rod, the 
 consequence being that having severely taxed the 
 capabilities of the rod in bringing the line to the 
 surface, there is no power remaining to lift it from the 
 water; thus the line never gets fairly extended behind, 
 so that the angler in his anxiety to save it touching 
 the ground, makes the forward cast on the slack line, 
 which naturally is merely a jerk instead of a steady 
 impulse, the result being that the line falls in coils, if 
 nothing worse, a few feet beyond his nose. 
 
 When the knack of raising the line has been 
 acquired, care should be taken to give it plenty of 
 time behind ; the angler can turn his head and view 
 his line in air and then have leisure to make the 
 forward cast. 
 
 The Spey cast is more difficult to learn and to 
 describe; it is made by drawing the line smartly to
 
 CASTING AND WOEKING OF FLY. 53 
 
 one, so that the fly comes scudding along the surface 
 of the water to within a few yards of the body, the 
 line forming a huge bag in the air, no portion being 
 much behind ; the rod should then be impelled forward 
 with considerable force, causing the fly to shoot out to 
 the desired spot. 
 
 This cast is difficult of attainment, but in reality 
 requires little exertion, most of the work being done by 
 the reaction of the rod; in positions where trees or rocks 
 are immediately at the angler's back its use is indis- 
 pensable, and its achievement gives great satisfaction. 
 
 The fly should naturally alight on the water in the 
 accustomed manner of the insect it is intended to 
 represent ; so the small winged flies should fall lightly, 
 while imitations of grubs or caterpillars, especially in 
 chub-fishing, should make a good flop. 
 
 In salmon-fishing lightness of descent is of little 
 moment ; at the same time there is probably nothing 
 to be gained by unnecessary splash. 
 
 What salmon mistake the artificial fly to be is open 
 to argument. He cannot take it to be an inhabitant 
 of the air or fresh water, as it resembles nothing 
 therein contained save its artificial kindred, of which 
 by-the-by in many rivers there is an abundance ; and 
 as whatever acquaintance he may have made with them 
 would scarcely have been of such a nature as would 
 have instilled confidence, he probably associates it with 
 some objects which during his visits to the coasts and 
 estuaries have left pleasant recollections.
 
 54 ST HOOK AND EY CXOOK. 
 
 The result of good casting is that the fly is placed at 
 the required spot on the water with the least possible 
 loose or slack line, so that it is actually fishing at the 
 moment of immersion ; and when this is effected it 
 almost appears to the spectator as if the fly were laid 
 down by the hand, with such nicety is the cast accom- 
 plished. 
 
 It is no uncommon thing to see an angler severely 
 handicap himself by casting an unnecessarily long 
 line ; this is especially the delight of novices, who are 
 perfectly happy if they see 25 yards or so of line fall 
 in any fashion upon the surface, and expect to find a 
 look of admiration on the countenance of any passer 
 by ; but should that passer by be aware that the catch 
 is under the point of the angler's rod, his smile may be 
 misconstrued. 
 
 To command a catch it is, however, often necessary 
 to cast a long line, then well and good; or it may be 
 that by casting a few extra yards of line the angler can 
 fish obliquely, say at an angle of 45, whereas with a 
 shorter line he would be compelled to cast straighter 
 across the stream. Then the ability to make a long cast 
 is a distinct advantage, as if the line be cast straight 
 across, its centre is bagged by the stream, and in 
 reality the fly is towed down head first for the greater 
 portion of its journey, whereas the line and fly should 
 be both swept away from the angler, with little or no 
 straightening. 
 
 Young anglers are frequently instructed to cast
 
 CASTING AND WOEKING OF FLT. 55 
 
 " well across the stream/' but it is extremely doubtful, 
 for above reasons, if there is anything to be gained by 
 casting at a greater angle than 45, unless it be to 
 reach a catch which cannot otherwise be commanded. 
 
 When casting over a rising fish, the angler above all 
 things should endeavour to effect a perfect cast at the 
 first attempt, as should he commence with an indif- 
 ferent one, he gets the worst of the deal, and has only 
 himself to thank for having thrown away a likely 
 winning card. 
 
 The adept, during a few casts in the air, will be able 
 to release from the reel a sufficient length of line 
 without touching the water, and, at the same time, 
 accurately gauge the distance ; but the angler who has 
 not attained such proficiency had better make, as it 
 were, a trial cast on the water beyond the notice of the 
 fish, for although this, for obvious reasons, is not de- 
 sirable in dry-fly fishing, yet it is preferable to making 
 a bad initial cast. It is not much use to put in a real 
 good cast after a couple of bad ones. 
 
 The angler in his eagerness frequently exhibits a 
 tendency to present his fly to a rising fish too soon 
 after the latter has captured a natural insect ; but he 
 should remember that after the capture of a mouthful, 
 a fish requires time to swallow the morsel and settle 
 himself down for the next, so it is well to give him 
 time, and if possible to keep him waiting a while so 
 that his appetite may be whetted ; at the same time a 
 watchful eye must be kept on the stream for some
 
 56 SY HOOK AND BY CROOK. 
 
 distance above, so that the artificial fly may not be cut 
 out by natural insects floating down. 
 
 Should a fish take the fly during the line's straight- 
 ening process, it being practically slack, the angler is 
 not at once apprised of the fact, so loses time in 
 striking, and the fish cannot strike himself, but may 
 possibly find out his error and have time to reject the 
 
 fly. 
 
 How often may the remark be heard, " I touched 
 one, but he did not get hold of it ; " surely the bagged 
 line has something to answer for ! 
 
 Fish very quickly spit out any foreign substance, as 
 may be ascertained by dropping a few gutless and 
 barbless flies from a bridge into a stream below, and 
 it is surprising to what a distance they can expel the 
 object through the water. 
 
 The movement imparted to the fly in the water by 
 the rise and fall of the rod's point must be left to taste, 
 yet on any particular river a certain pace and extent of 
 motion seem to be adopted by general consent ; but at 
 whatever pace the line may be drawn up, it should not 
 be released at a greater one than that at which the 
 water flows ; the wings then shut up close and loosen 
 again, while there being no slack line the fly maintains 
 its even position in the water, so should a fish attempt 
 to take it, he is not disappointed. The motion, how- 
 ever, may occasionally be varied. 
 
 The fly should be allowed to remain in the water 
 until it arrives at least in a line straight down stream
 
 CASTING AND WORKING OF FLY. 57 
 
 rith the point of the rod ; and, lastly, the angler should 
 'remember that the fly hooks more fish when it is in the 
 water than when on the bank or in the air. 
 
 In heavy waters, or as a change to the fly, a minnow 
 is worth trying. We prefer a plain white metal body 
 with 110 slits at the sides and simply two triangles at 
 the tail. They can be cast to a considerable distance 
 with the fly-rod, if instead of being brought straight 
 back over the shoulder they are swung round in a semi- 
 circle, which keeps them on the go during their passage 
 through air, and at the same time does not impose so 
 severe a task upon the rod. 
 
 Casting in this manner is not particularly easy, but 
 with practice a long line can be thrown without strain- 
 ing the rod. This method will be found to serve in 
 open pools, but when 30 or 40 yards has to be covered, 
 or when the casting is surrounded by trees, the best 
 plan is to use a spinning rod with a Nottingham reel 
 (vide page 35).
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 THOUT- FISHING IN THE " NORTH COUNTRIE." 
 
 NORTH COUNTRY fly-fishers have many more facilities 
 for indulgence in their favourite sport than dwellers in 
 the South, where salmon and trout rivers are com- 
 paratively few and far between, and in consequence 
 command a price which places them beyond the means 
 of many ; whereas in the Northern Counties almost 
 every river/ streamlet, or burn may be said to contain 
 some one or more of the Salmo species, which may be 
 rented by individuals or, as is often the case, by clubs 
 at a moderate figure. 
 
 For this reason the younger branch of sportsmen in 
 the North, as a rule, are more familiar with the rod 
 than their confreres of the South, as, even if resident in 
 towns or cities, there usually is a river within easy 
 distance on which fishing is obtainable either by rent, 
 leave, or by putting up at an inn which provides visitors 
 with a stretch of water. 
 
 Trout-fishing on the Borders commences about the 
 1st of March, but not until the end of that month 
 do the fish get into fair condition, and they do not
 
 MARCH BROWN. 
 
 DARK BLEA. 
 
 CREEPER (ills' <>'"' <-f'cn,<.-<>), 
 
 STONE FLY. 
 
 JTERN BROS UIT>
 
 TROUT-FISHING IN THE " NORTH COUNTEIE." 59 
 
 arrive at their best until the beginning or middle of 
 May. 
 
 To fish the large rivers such as Eden, Tyne, and 
 Esk, wading-trousers are necessary; for their tributaries 
 and the smaller rivers stockings will suffice, as many 
 of them are wide, although not running to any great 
 depth. 
 
 A rod of 11 or 12 ft. will do all the work with a 
 selection of the ordinary flies, such as March brown 
 (male and female), light and dark blea or bloa, stone- 
 fly, partridge hackle, olive dun, iron-blue dun, ginger 
 hackle, Greenwell's glory, and yellow dun. 
 
 We have found the female March brown a better 
 killer than the male, and prefer hen pheasant to wood- 
 cock for the wings. 
 
 The Eden is a very fine river, probably far and away 
 the best in the North of England for trout-fishing, both 
 as regards quantity and size of fish, whose colouring is 
 very rich, varying with the nature of the river's bed ; 
 speaking generally, the Eden trout is a very handsome 
 example of his species. 
 
 The Eden is a well wooded river, with bed alternately 
 of rock and gravel, forming deep pools, capable of 
 holding trout even in the lowest summer water, so 
 excepting in the very highest reaches a flood is the 
 only condition which will interfere with sport. 
 
 The flats grow abundance of weeds, which, with the 
 vegetation growing along the banks, afford capital 
 nurseries for the feed.
 
 60 BY HOOK AND ST CEOOK. 
 
 As upon every river, so the angler may have a bad 
 day upon Eden, but it is seldom that he should return 
 to his quarters \vith less than three or four brace, 
 while on an average to a good day he may expect to 
 basket from eight to twelve brace, and often more. 
 The average weight about ten miles from Carlisle 
 would be about ^ Ib. a piece, perhaps rather more ; 
 while on a fair day the creel should contain fish of 
 | Ib. to 1 Ib., and over, possibly up to 3 Ib. 
 
 Upon the rise of fly, as on most rivers, mainly 
 depends the size of the bag, but it seldom fails to put 
 in an appearance during some hour of the day ; before 
 and after this occurs the angler must be content to fish 
 " blind " the streams and eddies, and will probably 
 pick up a fish here and there ; but in the spring, 
 between the hours of eleven and two, the feed will 
 generally appear, and then the real fun takes place. 
 At about the time the rise may be expected, the angler 
 had best arrange to be handy at some good long stream, 
 so that he may commence operations so soon as the fly 
 appears, and make hay while the sun shines, as there is 
 no knowing how soon it may cease. 
 
 When the feed comes sailing down the necks of the 
 streams, the fish appear to draw up from the flats or 
 deep pools below, and make the water fairly boil where 
 a few minutes before not a fish was to be seen ; now, if 
 the angler is up to his work he will grass several brace 
 of fish in a very short space of time and water, until, as 
 suddenly as it commenced, the rise ceases, the fish, so
 
 TROUT-FISHING IX THE "NORTH COUNTRIE." 61 
 
 soon as they have cleared the decks, retiring whence 
 they came. 
 
 Smolts are a great nuisance, causing waste of precious 
 time when the rise is on, as when hooked they must be 
 released tenderly ; but as they generally lie well off the 
 edge of the stream, they may be avoided to a great 
 extent by lifting the line before the flies reach the 
 stiller water. 
 
 Fishing with the bustard or artificial moth is indulged 
 in from twilight until midnight during the summer 
 months, but chiefly by those to whom the bag is of 
 pecuniary importance. 
 
 The Tynes and their tributaries run down very 
 quickly after a flood, and in this respect compare 
 unfavourably with the Eden ; indeed in the upper 
 reaches, unless the angler arrives in the nick of time, 
 he can expect to land but small fish, so the telegraph 
 wire comes in handy. 
 
 The bed of the Tynes consists in most parts chiefly 
 of large cobbles, and at low water in the highland 
 districts there are few deep tracts where large trout 
 can exist in privacy ; it is also very doubtful if there is 
 an overabundance of feed, so it is possible that these 
 conditions may account for the fact that the fish run 
 rather small : we cannot from experience put the 
 average weight at above from four to three to the 
 pound, although we may have been unfortunate. 
 
 Some of tlie rocky burns running into the North 
 Tyne have yielded a much better average weight of
 
 62 BY HOOK AND ST CEOOE. 
 
 fish than the river itself, but they were in much worse 
 condition and very dark in colour, abstracted from the 
 peaty water they inhabited. 
 
 Nevertheless, a few days' fishing in these burns and 
 streams, running several hundred feet above the sea- 
 level through wild moorland scenery, are most enjoy- 
 able, affording a thorough change to him who has been 
 angling on a lowland river, the surrounding vegetation 
 and bird-life being so entirely different. 
 
 The robins, chaffinches, wrens, and bullfinches have 
 all disappeared, and in place of them the angler has as 
 his companions the blackcock, curlew, and grouse, 
 whose "ker-back-ker-back-back-bacque-back," as he 
 folds his wings whilst alighting on the heather-clad fell, 
 falls refreshingly upon the ear. 
 
 The solitary angler can best enjoy the moorland, as 
 then no human voice detracts from the awful impression 
 conveyed to the mind by the solemn silence of nature's 
 handiwork, which seems proper to be broken only by 
 the utterances of the creatures she ordains to exist 
 thereon. 
 
 The effusive screech with which the peewit endeavours 
 to lure the intruder from the vicinity of his nest, the 
 warning note of the cock grouse to the hen, the 
 peculiar spring whistle of the golden plover while high 
 aloft in air, and the weird pipe of the curlew, all seem 
 in perfect harmony with the light and shade of the 
 moorland hills ; but with the voice of man the spell is 
 broken.
 
 TROUT-FISHING IN THE "NORTH COUNTRIE." 63 
 
 One little bird seems never to forsake the angler, 
 whether in high or lowland district ; the matter of 
 altitude makes little difference to him, who deservedly 
 has earned the title of "the fisherman's companion." 
 So long as there be water and stones upon which he 
 may rest at intervals between his diving operations in 
 quest of food, the little water-ouzel is satisfied. 
 
 Dropping south over the fells which give the Eden 
 its rise, the burns which form the Ribble-head come 
 into view, pursuing their course over rocky boulders 
 and gravel-beds until they afford attractions for the 
 king of fish. This river is noted as a trout-stream, 
 and, like the Tynes, quickly rises and falls, the average 
 size of the fish being about the same or perhaps, if any- 
 thing, less. 
 
 The country is charming, and although these rivers, 
 which are thick in the morning and bright at midday, 
 are somewhat trying, yet he must be difficult to please 
 who cannot enjoy a few days while casting his fly, 
 wandering along as it were through the centre of the 
 moors, although perhaps the uppermost reaches afford 
 better sport to the gunner than to the angler. 
 
 The riparian proprietors of the upper Ribble should 
 be grateful to the members of the angling club at 
 Horton, who, with the facilities afforded them by 
 gentlemen living there, hatch and turn out many 
 thousands of trout annually into the river. 
 
 As a rule, in the North Country trout- streams there 
 is no limit as to the size of the fish which may be
 
 64 
 
 SY HOOK AND BY CEOOK. 
 
 retained, and, in consequence, thousands of little tilings 
 scarce four inches long are taken. So long as there is 
 no rule, many anglers will take all they catch, which 
 is a great mistake and should be stopped, to increase 
 the average size of the fish, although rivers which are 
 up one day and down the next will probably never con- 
 tain very large fish, especially when, as is frequently 
 the case, the supply of feed is not over-abundant. 
 
 It is often worth while to try a cast or two where the 
 surface is covered by shifting patches of foam or froth, 
 circling in eddies beside the main stream, for occasionally 
 trout may be found feeding on drowned flies mixed up 
 in it, while the cover conceals their actions. 
 
 THE FISHERMAN'S COMPANION.
 
 HEAD OF SMOLT.
 
 [ 65 ] 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 KEEP TOUR FLY ON THE WATER. 
 
 THIS is an old piece of advice, but for all that none the 
 less good, as all anglers will admit. 
 
 <f I have not sufficient patience for fishing/' is a 
 statement frequently made ; but for the life of us we 
 cannot see that more patience is required in angling 
 than in any other sport. 
 
 The word " patience " does not exist in the dictionary 
 of the sportsman ; he knows it not ; and the intervals 
 during which his efforts are not crowned with success 
 are not tedious, nor do they discourage him or make 
 him a bit the less keen on the contrary, they stimulate 
 him to the exercise of greater care and attention. 
 
 At one time or another every angler will have 
 experienced a really big day when it has been as easy 
 to basket fish as to take sardines out of a tin, but he 
 will with far more satisfaction recall the day when he 
 has against adverse circumstances landed a few fish by 
 sheer dint of perseverance and skill. 
 
 Trout- and salmon-fishing in large rivers differ much 
 in one respect, inasmuch as the salmon-fisher, who knows 
 
 F
 
 66 SY HOOK AND EY CROOK. 
 
 anything about the river, can put his hand, as it were, 
 upon the exact spot where the fish lie, although they 
 may not be showing, so, after having cast over all the 
 catches, even should there be no result, he may be 
 pretty sure that every fish has had a chance ; but in 
 trout-fishing, except when feeding on the surface, the 
 fish are scattered over the river, so the angler has to be 
 content with fishing " blind," which is unsatisfactory 
 work at the best. 
 
 A resident of the waterside, who has daily oppor- 
 tunities, can afford to pick out the best hours during 
 the day, and otherwise occupy himself during the 
 intervals, and very probably will do as much execution 
 as if he had been fishing all day; but this method will 
 not suit the keen angler who only has a day or two 
 now and again at his disposal, so he had better fish 
 the streams until the fly makes its appearance. 
 
 In clear chalk streams it is rather a different matter, 
 as the fish can often be seen, and the angler can try 
 his hand over each individual fish, which, to our 
 thinking, is far more interesting than fishing " blind " ; 
 but rivers must be taken as they are, and the angler 
 has to make the most of them. For this reason it is 
 absurd to generally condemn the practice of fishing 
 with worm for trout, as during the summer months on 
 many rivers, especially in the north, it is the only 
 method by which fish can be obtained. It is also a 
 mistake to imagine that worm-fishing for trout in fine 
 waters is easy work : such is far from being the case,
 
 f 
 
 KEEP YOUR FLY ON THE WATER. 67 
 
 as it requires a very light hand to cast the bait up 
 stream and a quick wrist to strike. 
 
 The bait is allowed to float down towards the feet of 
 the angler wading in midstream; but at the same time 
 there must be no slack line, or little will result beyond 
 the loss of the worm. 
 
 This style of angling is quite as difficult as fly- 
 fishing, perhaps more so, and men who are adepts at 
 it have no mean reputation around the country-side, 
 even when time has long since obliged them to relin- 
 quish the rod and creel. 
 
 To return to the maxim at the head of these notes 
 salmon-fishers should always persevere, as there is no 
 knowing when a fish may take ; so the half-hearted 
 angler who hangs about the banks, blaming the river, 
 the day, and everything but himself, does not get 
 half a chance. 
 
 When the extent of the water has been fished over 
 without result, some will give it up and wait until, as 
 they express it, " they begin to move/' Now, as long 
 as the fly is in the water, there is always a chance of 
 hooking a fish, therefore it is as well to stick to it and 
 continue casting the pools down in their order, as it is 
 impossible to tell when salmon may commence to take, 
 or a change of fly may do the trick. 
 
 Some anglers are wont to gauge the probabilities of 
 sport by the number of fish showing themselves, but 
 we are of opinion that the taking fish as often as not 
 does not show himself; at the back end of the season
 
 68 SY HOOK AND Y CSOOE. 
 
 especially, the fish which are continually jumping are 
 generally those who have been some weeks in the river. 
 It has several times been our lot to kill a fish in the 
 evening which we have seen rise only once in the early 
 morning, after which he has never moved ; and for this 
 reason the angler should be early astir, as although he 
 may not hook a fish during the first few hours, he may 
 have opportunities for marking down some, which will 
 come in very useful during the day. 
 
 Fish generally stir soon after daybreak, and even if 
 they have not since moved all day, will generally drift 
 about again an hour or so before evening, so it is as well 
 to give them a chance during these periods, especially in 
 late spring and early in autumn when the days are 
 warm ; but we cannot own to having had much success 
 in very early fishing in cold weather during early spring, 
 and to fish before the mist has rolled off the water is 
 simply useless. 
 
 An angler can wish for no better compliment to 
 be paid him than to be called a " regular sticker," and 
 anyone who acts upon this principle is certain to kill 
 fish when perhaps he least expects to do so : an instance 
 occurred once which we shall never forget. 
 
 During the day a fish had risen once or twice in 
 slowly running water, and had ignored the various flies 
 \vhich we had cast over his head. It was getting dark, 
 and we were just about to give over for the day, having 
 in mind a long walk home through a thick plantation 
 and felled trees strewn across the path, partly hidden
 
 KEEP YOUE FLY ON THE WATER. 69 
 
 by long white grass, when we decided to give the pool 
 one last cast down from the boat as usual, putting on a 
 bright fly, with which we had been casting most of the 
 day, it being a favourite pattern. 
 
 Our attendant on the thwart, who was a never-say- 
 die sort as a rule, did not much encourage us with the 
 remark, " We 're defeated to-day " ; nevertheless we 
 both rowed and fished the pool more carefully down 
 than ever, until we had only a few yards remaining, and 
 were drawing the line up for the last time and saying, 
 " Yes, we 're defeated," when the welcome tug told us 
 that we had spoken perhaps too soon ; and such proved 
 to be the case, as, after about half an hour's hard and 
 quick work, 26 Ib. weight of fresh-run salmon was on 
 the bank. 
 
 By this time it was quite dark and the walk home 
 was no treat, but still we congratulated ourselves upon 
 not having " chucked it " sooner. 
 
 The really keen angler will persevere in spite of non- 
 success, but he who is not an enthusiast cannot under- 
 stand the pleasure of good casting per se ; he has no 
 interest in the proceedings until he finds a fish on his 
 hook, when very probably he then is, so to say, all over 
 the shop ; whereas the sportsman sits tight, keeps his 
 head, and scarcely takes his eye off the fish. 
 
 It is a great nuisance to have a friend angling with 
 one who when fish are not taking is continually saying, 
 " Come on, let's chuck it, it's not a bit of good to-day." 
 Nothing is more trying, especially when one is doing
 
 70 BY HOOK AND ST CBOOK. 
 
 one's very best and hoping against hope ; and the best 
 plan is to send him home, as, apart from the annoyance 
 occasioned by his, or it may even be her, company, 
 one's attention is continually being distracted, and a 
 fish may be missed, a disappointment we have before 
 now experienced. Again, some anglers will waste a 
 deal of their time in walking backwards and forwards 
 between pools, being apparently of opinion that the 
 one they are fishing at any particular moment affords 
 less chance of sport than some other, the result being 
 that none are properly fished ; and we have known 
 valuable hours wasted in walking to a pool miles away, 
 when the probability of sport was quite as great in 
 others close at hand : these vagaries are sound enough 
 from a tourist point of view, but they will not commend 
 themselves to the angler who likes to keep his fly in 
 the water. 
 
 When after a flood the water is still very big, but 
 yet of such a colour that it be possible for fish to see 
 the fly, the angler may prefer to go out on the off- 
 chance ; but he should remember that when the water 
 is big enough for fish to run in, they will not frequent 
 the usual spots, but lie in towards the banks out of the 
 stream, which is as yet too strong for them; so even 
 if the height of the water would allow, he had much 
 better give up all idea of wading and cast from the 
 bank. 
 
 Under such conditions he should drop his fly on the 
 edge of the stream, and allow it to work round as near
 
 KEEP TOUS FLY ON THE WATER. 71 
 
 as possible to his own bank ; by so doing he will 
 accomplish three objects, viz. : be casting over the 
 probable lie of any resting fish ; making it cross the 
 track of running fish, who invariably run up the slack 
 water close in shore; and, lastly, he will be casting, 
 generally speaking, in the thinner water, where his fly 
 is more easily seen. As the water falls in, fish gradually 
 cease running, and abandon their temporary resting- 
 places in thiunish water, until at length they settle 
 down in the recognized catches of the various pools.
 
 [ 72 ] 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 PLATING A FISH. 
 
 THIS is no unimportant branch of the angler's art, and 
 a deal of practice is requisite before he learns to play 
 his fish with confidence and absence of bustle and 
 flurry, knowing the exact moments when to give way 
 to a fish or hold him hard. 
 
 Nothing but experience can prompt the forethought 
 which avoids the occurrence of awkward or fatal situa- 
 tions, and these will happen sometimes, even when the 
 greatest care is exercised ; however, the accomplished 
 angler will generally avoid them, or at all events find 
 the ready means of extrication. 
 
 An observer can get a fair insight to a man's 
 temperament while watching him playing a good-sized 
 salmon, and pretty accurately gauge his capabilities as 
 a fisherman ; for independently of the occasion calling 
 for considerable activity, strength, and at times endur- 
 ance, he should command self-possession, decision, and 
 resource, be quick to follow the movements of the fish, 
 and have a good memory for the peculiarities of the 
 natural surroundings of the waterside.
 
 PLAYING A FISH. 
 
 73 
 
 Youthful anglers, or they of excitable temperament, 
 upon hooking a fish are apt to lose their heads from 
 anxiety to see him safe on the bank, and by this 
 feverish excitement frequently jeopardize their chance 
 of ultimate success. 
 
 The man who has to use the gaff for this description 
 of angler has often a roughish time of it, and will 
 probably be told that he has lost several opportunities 
 of gaffing, and that the angler himself could have 
 administered the stroke over and over again ; while 
 after these expressions, should perchance the fish get 
 off, woe betide the attendant, as the entire blame is 
 sure to lie with him. 
 
 Taking it altogether, gaffing a fish for any other 
 than a good fisherman, who can keep cool, is a task to 
 be avoided ; yet has frequently to be accepted, as no 
 sportsman would refuse such assistance to a brother 
 angler. 
 
 In contrast to the excitable angler is he who thinks 
 he can safely hold conversation with others during the 
 hottest part of the fight; but he will soon learn a 
 lesson which will break him of the habit, and teach 
 him for the future to watch his fish all he knows. 
 
 It is a very pretty sight to watch a fish nicely 
 handled for twenty minutes or more, and the young 
 angler cannot do better than avail himself of any such 
 opportunities, and so learn how to manage a fish with 
 confidence and self-command. 
 
 Elsewhere than on the river-bank, the remark may
 
 7-4 SY HOOK AND ST CROOK. 
 
 frequently be heard, " I never take longer than (so 
 many) minutes to kill a fish"; but our experience is 
 that in practice these gentlemen take a good deal 
 longer than most people; but there can be no object 
 in pulling fish out by the roots, and with single gut it 
 is simply absurd. On the other hand there is nothing 
 to be gained, on the contrary there may be a good 
 deal to lose, by allowing a fish to take liberties, as he is 
 never safe until on the bank, even then not always so. 
 
 Nine cases out of ten the angler has to give line, or 
 rather allow the fish to take it, during the early stages 
 of the fight ; but he should always be made to work to 
 take it off the reel, then as the fish gets weaker the 
 angler can put on increased pressure and so hasten 
 the end. 
 
 The main thing is to hold the point of the rod well 
 up, so that the weight of the fish and any sudden jerks 
 he may give shall fall on it and not on the line. 
 
 Instances occur now and again when it is impossible, 
 with any regard to safety, to give line, and on the 
 other hand it is at times imperative to give it ; of course 
 then the angler can only make the best of a bad job. 
 
 After a few minutes' play the experienced angler can 
 form a shrewd guess how the fish is hooked, and will 
 shape his tactics accordingly ; but in the absence of any 
 such indication, in fact as a general rule, our experience 
 is that the best plan to adopt after having hooked a 
 fish, is to hold him only fairly hard and allow him 
 to take the initiative.
 
 PLAYING A FISH. 75 
 
 There is generally not mucli wait about it, as the fish 
 probably makes a rush so soon as he feels himself 
 under control ; if so, so much the better, as the more he 
 runs the quicker he will tire, and as increased pressure 
 is brought to bear he soon gives way to the inevitable. 
 
 After hooking a fish, unless obstacles such as trees 
 exist, it is advisable to gain the bank as quickly as 
 possible, the fish being better commanded therefrom ; 
 and during this manoeuvre the hold on the fish should 
 be light, so as not to incite him to immediate exer- 
 tion ; when the bank is once gained the angler can 
 proceed with usual discretion. 
 
 Fish after their first run will often return to the 
 holding from which they were first lured may be, 
 thinking there is no place like home, or perhaps the 
 line which is naturally slack at the end of the run 
 gives them the idea that they are free once more ; so if, 
 as is often the case, their chosen resting-place be at the 
 back of some large stone or ledge of rock it is advisable 
 to thwart them in their designs if possible, to avoid a 
 cut line. 
 
 Should a fish persevere in a long run where he 
 cannot be followed there are two courses open either 
 to make it a case of pull-devil-pull-baker and chance 
 to luck, or while there is still a fair amount of line on 
 the reel to pull it off as fast as possible with the hand, 
 thereby creating a slack line, and giving the fish the 
 impression that he is free, when he is as likely as not 
 to head up stream again, then the bagging line pulls
 
 76 BY HOOK AND BY CEOOK. 
 
 him from behind and influences him to still make up, 
 meanwhile the angler follows him, winding up the 
 slack, and the fight continues. We recall an instance 
 of a large fish having by this ruse been twice enticed 
 up stream, but it was of no avail, as he refused to be 
 deceived by a third application, and broke away with 
 cast, reel-line, and fly; but, on the other hand, this 
 method has several times given us a fish. 
 
 We once witnessed an instance in which a suddenly 
 slacked line induced a fish to head up stream, although 
 in this case it was the result of an accident, and 
 happened as follows : 
 
 A little lad was fishing for salmon near by, with a 
 rotten old rod and tackle baited with a large worm, 
 which he had dropped into the head of a pool, which 
 he, with the occupants of the farm, had permission 
 to fish. 
 
 We happened to turn round while casting below him 
 and perceived he had a fish on, apparently of good 
 size, so hastened to his assistance and with a hint now 
 and again he managed to play the fish fairly well for 
 about half an hour, the state of the tackle requiring 
 much care. 
 
 Without any warning the fish then made a rush 
 down stream, the rusty old reel screeched again as it 
 spun round, the line ran out its entire length, then 
 broke off at the reel and fell out through the rings on 
 the grassy bank, on which the lad was fortunately 
 standing at some distance from the edge.
 
 PLAYING A FISH. 77 
 
 While the lad was standing still, struck all of a heap 
 by his misfortune, we ran down the bank and managed 
 to put a foot on the end of the line just before it dis- 
 appeared over the edge, and upon seizing it found that 
 the fish had got off or had stopped his run, as there 
 was no weight upon it. We fully expected to find that 
 the fish had escaped ; however, on the off chance, we 
 threaded the line through the rings, attached it to the 
 reel, and wound it up, or rather the lad did. 
 
 As the reel began to fill there was a perceptible 
 draw on the line from a point a little up stream, and 
 we soon found to the boy's delight that the fish was 
 still on and lying in his old resting-place. After some 
 little time the fish went down again, and we had great 
 difficulty in passing the rod from one to another behind 
 several tall trees which grew at the water-edge, the 
 depth being too great to admit of wading by them; 
 however, we together eventually managed to land 
 him, a fresh-run fish of 24 Ib. 
 
 The lad afterwards told us that he had sold the fish 
 for 36s., with which he had purchased new tackle, and 
 we added a cast or two and a few flies upon the under- 
 standing that he would in future eschew the lowly worm. 
 
 When a fish persists in jagging at the line, a method 
 he often adopts when but lightly hooked, the jar on the 
 line and rod can be materially reduced by holding the 
 rod in both hands, keeping it clear of the body j this is 
 also a good plan when the fish jumps or is likely to 
 do so.
 
 78 SY HOOK AND BY CBOOK. 
 
 After gaffing a fish, especially when the angler has 
 to do it for himself, line should be at once pulled off 
 the reel by the rod hand (the rod being supported over 
 the wrist) so as to allow the top joint to straighten. 
 The observance of this will save a top now and again, as 
 the angler while walking with his fish on the gaff is 
 apt to forget that the rod-top has not been released 
 from strain. 
 
 The line should, while playing a fish, be controlled in 
 such a manner that at any moment it can be allowed to 
 run free, and consequently should not be passed round 
 or in and out of fingers, as anyone will find out to his 
 cost should a fish run when the line is thus impeded ; 
 and no slack line should be allowed between the lowest 
 ring and the reel, or it is certain to get caught in 
 something. 
 
 At the finish of a run, immediately reel the line up 
 and follow the fish until opposite him, keeping him, if 
 possible, in good running water, thus making him work 
 to maintain his position against the stream and the rod ; 
 whereas, should the angler take up his position much 
 in advance of the fish, he will supply the requisite 
 power to keep the latter in position against the stream. 
 
 When a fish persistently remains motionless at the 
 bottom, or, as it is called, f( sulks," the best plan is to 
 reel up close right over him, and if that does not shift 
 him, throw in a few stones behind the line, which 
 probably will have the desired effect. 
 
 Should the fish stay some distance out from the
 
 PLAYIN& A FISH. 79 
 
 bank, the angler can get behind him and pull him down 
 stream, as he will not so very long be able to withstand 
 the combined efforts of the rod and stream. 
 
 It is not uncommon to hear the remarks, "I rose" so 
 many fish, and "I always drown my fish"; but we must 
 confess to being very bad at rising fish, as nineteen 
 out of every twenty salmon we have ever caught have 
 annexed the fly under water, making no break upon 
 the surface ; and as far as drowning fish is concerned, 
 they have been perhaps nearer drowning us than we 
 them upon many occasions. Of course, when a fish is 
 dead-beat he can easily be pulled down stream, but 
 virtually he has to be killed first ; at all events, we have 
 as yet failed to come across the fish who has quietly 
 submitted to the drowning process; but we have not 
 perhaps given it sufficient trial, preferring to keep the 
 hook if we can in one position in the fish's jaw. 
 
 We look with a certain amount of suspicion upon 
 the habitual " riser " and " drowner/' and if obliged to 
 find them should draw no further than smoking- 
 rooms.
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 ILIES : NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL. 
 
 THIS item of tackle is generally considered of primary 
 importance, and perhaps rightly so, inasmuch as the 
 angler's first object is to lure his fish; and as each 
 individual's ideas as to the best killing fancy flies or 
 dressings of imitations have probably been formed by 
 success, he has a certain amount of method in his 
 madness. 
 
 The majority of the patterns of artificial flies used in 
 trout-fishing being imitations of the natural insect, the 
 dresser's task is clearly defined, so beyond the me- 
 chanical process he is, as compared to the designer of 
 a pattern of salmon-fly, what the engraver is to the 
 painter of a picture, and in both instances the close 
 copy of the original is the gauge of merit. But in 
 reproducing the natural fly in artificial form there is 
 much room for discretion and ingenuity in the selection 
 of materials, and it is in this respect, rather than in the 
 actual fixing, that excellence is desirable. 
 
 To describe as a work of art a well-dressed trout-fly 
 is no exaggeration, and a vast amount of practice is
 
 FLIES : NATURAL AND AETIFICIAL. 81 
 
 requisite more than any one person could hope to 
 obtain by dressing flies for his individual use alone, 
 unless he were possessed of an inordinate rapacity for 
 annexing hedge-rows and such like; so it has come 
 about that most of us purchase our trout-flies, and are 
 extremely fortunate in being able to obtain such excel- 
 lent imitations at comparatively small cost. 
 
 The south-country trout-streams are, as a rule, 
 smoother than those in the north and the fish more 
 wary ; consequently the flies dressed for use therewith 
 are more delicately tied, especially those designed for 
 dry-fly-fishing, which is seldom if ever practised in the 
 north, though there is no reason why it should not be, as 
 we have personally proved it to be equally effective. 
 
 Flies of course can be, and for special purposes are, 
 dressed fine in the north; but it will probably be 
 argued that no better results are obtained, nor does dry- 
 fly show any advantages over, wet-fly-fishing, while the 
 difference in cost is greatly in favour of the angler. 
 
 In dressing artificial patterns of the larger trout-flies, 
 such as the Green and Grey Drake, the occasional 
 dresser will experience less difficulty in the actual 
 tying, but the imitation of body and wings will try his 
 ingenuity. 
 
 All kinds of materials are brought into requisition to 
 imitate the wings of the May-fly ; and if they are all 
 even fairly good imitations of the reality, it must be 
 admitted that the varieties of the Drake are not few. 
 
 The bodies are made of various materials selected for
 
 82 , BY HOOK AND ST CROOK. 
 
 their floating qualities, and more or less answer their 
 purpose ; but the wings are frequently represented by 
 the feathers of the Mallard and Egyptian Goose, dyed 
 to such a depth of yellow or green that not even the 
 most jaundiced pseudo-imago or imago could detect 
 in them the slightest resemblance to his own gauzy 
 structures. 
 
 The Egyptian Goose feather is a bad imitation, as, in 
 the first place, the tint is wrong, and, secondly, it is too 
 heavy and stiff in the fibre. 
 
 The portion of feather used should be left intact, 
 and not, as is often the case, have its edges cut or 
 trimmed with scissors, as by such treatment it is de- 
 prived of its natural fringe, which if allowed to remain 
 assists the fly in sitting lightly on the water. 
 
 The feathers of the ducks are best adapted for use 
 in imitation of the May-fly's wing, and as long as 
 those of the Summer Duck, also called Canadian Wood- 
 Duck, are procurable, there is no necessity to resort to 
 dyes, as the unbarred feathers of this bird are as nearly 
 as possible of the correct shade, and are also of the 
 right size and strength of fibre. 
 
 A pattern of this fly is described elsewhere, and from 
 experience we 'can confidently recommend it. The 
 pattern is a very good floater, and as we have many a 
 time seen a fish select it while the real article -was just 
 as handy, that is quite good enough for us. 
 
 To dress a salmon-fly is easy work when once the 
 correct method has been acquired, and, irrespective of
 
 FLIES: NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL. 83 
 
 the matter of expense, we should certainly recommend 
 anglers to tie their own, as it is interesting work, very 
 useful in out-of-the-way places, and gives additional 
 zest in catching fish. 
 
 If a man have the opportunity of collecting skins at 
 home or abroad, or even should he, in the absence of 
 such facility, have to purchase feathers at home, he can 
 save much expense by dressing his own hooks; but, 
 apart from this consideration, it is rather pretty work, 
 and affords the ready means for working out individual 
 ideas. 
 
 It is a mistake to dress many flies at a time for one's 
 own use, as they soon get dull and lose the freshness 
 they have when first turned out ; a box is better than a 
 book to keep them in, as the latter flattens them. 
 
 It is well worth any angler's while to dress flies, 
 especially for salmon-fishing, as one frequently may 
 require a size or particular pattern other than those in 
 stock, or may lose the last of a pattern in a fish and 
 have no means of supplying the deficiency other than 
 one's own hands ; but it was the following incident 
 which determined us to learn to dress a hook : 
 
 At quite the commencement of our experiences of 
 salmon-fishing, a friend with whom we were staying 
 kindly offered the use of his book, but knowing how 
 jealous anglers are of their patterns, many of which 
 have killed fish and have histories attached to them, we 
 preferred to purchase a few at a stationer's shop in the 
 town, said to have been dressed by a small tackle-maker
 
 84 SY HOOK AND SY CROOK. 
 
 who had a den of his own close by ; and very nice they 
 looked stuck in rows on a thick sheet of cartridge 
 paper, all good local killers. 
 
 Well, we soon got to work, and after a few casts 
 were fortunate in getting hold of a good fish, which, 
 however, after about ten minutes' play, to our intense 
 disgust parted company with us, the line coming back 
 in that flowing wave that leaves no room for doubt. 
 
 Upon reeling-up we discovered that the gut-loop at 
 the head of the fly had drawn clean out and was still 
 attached to the gut-line. That tackle-maker deserved 
 never to be forgiven, as the loop instead of being long 
 enough to extend to the bend of the hook, was little 
 more than of an inch in length. 
 
 After this piece of bad luck we did not touch a fish 
 for a week, and fully determined to dress our own 
 hooks for the future, and have ever since done so, 
 taking lessons in the first instance and practice during 
 the remainder; so we derived some benefit from the 
 loss of what would have been our first salmon. 
 
 Anglers have, and we hope will continue to have, 
 their own ideas as to the superiority of certain patterns 
 in killing fish, and although perhaps, as the old saying 
 goes, "Anglers are less easy to please than the fish/' yet 
 it cannot be denied that in certain rivers or lochs, or at 
 particular times of the year, some patterns are to be 
 preferred ; such being the case, we, in common with all 
 anglers, have our particular views on the subject, and, 
 without wishing to thrust them down anyone's throat,
 
 FLIES : NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL. 85 
 
 will endeavour to explain them, or rather narrate the 
 experiences which formed them. 
 
 It happened that having attained a certain proficiency 
 in fly-dressing, we determined to make a large number 
 of flies of both standard and fancy patterns, so after a 
 winter's work had amassed such a quantity that we had 
 to make an enormous book to hold them; and very 
 enticing its pages looked adorned with various combi- 
 nations of feather, silk, and tinsel, soon, alas ! to become 
 tarnished by the dressing in the felt with which the 
 pages were foolishly faced. 
 
 This precious book contained over three hundred 
 flies, arranged so that the wings of each specimen were 
 undisturbed, and we can even now scarcely repress a 
 smile as we record the work we put ourselves to in 
 dragging it about from pool to pool throughout many 
 a long day with the greatest perseverance. 
 
 In the course of time all the patterns were granted 
 opportunities of " distinguished service/' with the result 
 that of the entire number only about a dozen have been 
 perpetuated, which we find when dressed in three sizes 
 meet all requirements upon various rivers, and it will 
 require a good deal of persuasion to induce us 
 to increase the number. The older the angler the 
 fewer patterns does he require. 
 
 Anyone who has fished many rivers will have found 
 that each has its favourite patterns and favourite 
 dressings of patterns, and no doubt the flies locally 
 adopted at the present time are the outcome of the
 
 86 BY ROOK AND BY CROOK. 
 
 experience of generations of anglers, and as such are 
 worthy of much respect; but inasmuch as most rivers 
 adopt patterns embracing more or less the same combina- 
 tions of materials, \ve are inclined to think that the size of 
 the hook is of more importance than the colour of the 
 fly, and that the smooth or rough dressing of the body 
 is a matter of as much consideration as either. 
 
 A washy coloured or pale tinted fly we have never 
 done any good with, so we presume they do not show 
 up sufficiently in the water. 
 
 The rich coloured flies do the most execution ; but in 
 dressing fancy patterns the main point is to blend the 
 colours of wings, hackles, and body so that the result 
 may be one harmonious whole. Upon visiting a 
 strange river with our usual patterns, we have generally 
 been told that they were nice hooks, but of no particular 
 value for that water, and have been advised to obtain 
 local patterns ; however, having ascertained the correct 
 size of fly to use, we have generally done as well as, 
 perhaps better than, other rods, so we are inclined 
 to think that the importance of the pattern of fly in 
 salmon-fishing may be exaggerated. 
 
 When fishing a strange river an angler of experience 
 will soon select a fly of the right size and correct degree 
 of brightness, in accordance with the state of the water 
 and character of the natural surroundings. 
 
 He may, of course, not hit upon the correct thing, 
 and can then try a change; but it is well to remember 
 that a fly with which one can do nothing in the early
 
 FLIES : NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL. 87 
 
 part of the day, may by alteration of sky and weather 
 be later on converted into a real good killer. 
 
 A fish may be in a mood to take in the afternoon, 
 whereas nothing would tempt him earlier; but at the 
 same time it has frequently been our lot to hook a fish 
 at some time of the day with a certain fly which pre- 
 viously had no charm for him, so it is possible that the 
 change of light may have assisted in the result ; at all 
 events, if we had happened to have put on another fly we 
 should in all probability have given the change credit for 
 the catch, to the disadvantage of the original pattern. 
 
 The theory upon which our system of dressing hooks 
 is based is simple in the extreme, viz. : To make a 
 harmonious blend of colours to attract the attention of 
 fish, and when the colour of the water itself or its 
 surroundings above and below the surface tend to 
 obscure the fly, then colours must be introduced and 
 the size of the hook increased to counteract this effect ; 
 and, as a rule, we strive to introduce some one bright 
 and attractive feature in each fly, forming as it were the 
 high light of the picture. This result may be achieved 
 either by colour or contrast in accordance with the 
 character of the fly. The willow boxes lined with cork, 
 as used by entomologists, will be found excellent re- 
 ceptacles for flies, which can be stuck into the cork 
 without Avaste of space and kept unruffled and un- 
 flattened. 
 
 We will next proceed with the method of dressing a 
 hook, with a few practical hints which may be of use.
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 HOW TO DSESS A SALMON- FLY. 
 
 THE following implements will be found of assistance 
 in dressing hooks : 
 
 A table-vice, to be procured at any tool-makers for 
 
 about 4s. Messrs. Hotzapfel, of Cockspur Street, 
 
 Charing Cross, London, sell a more elaborate 
 
 pattern, but they are costly. 
 Two pairs of strong tweezers, made for the purpose, 
 
 viz. to hold the whipping-silk secure during the 
 
 process of dressing. 
 A fine pointed pair of scissors. 
 A few darning-needles. 
 A cabinet with plenty of drawers is handy to keep 
 
 the fly-dressing materials, the feathers previously 
 
 being packed in separate papers or boxes with 
 
 plenty of camphor. 
 Strong card pill-boxes are good to keep tinsels from 
 
 air and light. 
 Silk for whipping is best kept in wash-leather, and 
 
 can be procured at the tackle-makers on long reels
 
 SALMON FLY. 
 
 A . 
 
 B . HecuL . 
 
 C . ShovuLdta- Hcu-]tL&. 
 
 D . Bv 
 
 E . Tirtfel . 
 
 F.Bvdy. 
 
 K . tftee^<?. 
 
 G . <5ii&, Tag . 
 
 \ .Butt. 
 
 L . Wing A- . 
 M . Topping . 
 N . HOT-TVS. 
 
 J.Tail. 
 
 . Slwiddei 
 
 JTERN BROS. LI
 
 HOW TO DBESS A SALMON- FLY. 89 
 
 in its natural colour and state, to be doubled or 
 trebled as occasion may require. 
 A piece of ordinary cobbler's-wax, which had better 
 be melted down with a little bees'-wax to make it 
 more workable. 
 
 A good wax can be made for use in dressing with 
 
 delicate colours by melting together 2 oz. yellow 
 
 resin, oz. bleached beeswax, oz. spermaceti. 
 
 Proportions of the two latter are added to make 
 
 the resin workable, and after being melted and 
 
 stirred the mixture should be poured while hot 
 
 into a basin of clean cold water, and then as soon 
 
 as possible be worked with the hands in the same 
 
 manner as dough, which treatment clarifies it. 
 
 Should the result be too stiff it can be melted up 
 
 again with more wax and spermaceti. 
 Brown hard varnish is best for fixing the whipped 
 silk, which can be bought, or made by dissolving 
 shellac in methylated spirit. 
 
 Having selected a hook of the required size test its 
 strength and pliability or spring by sticking the point 
 into a bit of soft deal, putting sufficient strain on the 
 shank to achieve your purpose, then take a piece of 
 double or treble twisted gut (we prefer the latter) of 
 about the required length, and lastly a double thickness 
 of the fine whipping-silk well waxed. 
 
 Holding the hook either in the hand or vice three or 
 four turns of the waxed silk should be wound up the 
 naked hook from the bend to shoulder, thus making it
 
 90 BY HOOK AND BY CROOK. 
 
 impossible for the gut to draw out when whipped on ; 
 then the gut should be doubled and placed in position 
 against the hook, so that the loop or eye shall project 
 about an eighth of an inch beyond it, but the length 
 of the loop should vary in proportion to the size 
 of hook. The whipping-silk, which is hanging with 
 tweezers attached to keep it in position, can now be 
 wound round the hook and gut, commencing from 
 a point about an eighth of an inch from the head 
 end of the hook, and terminating at the bend just 
 above where the tinsel and silk tag will afterwards 
 be fixed. 
 
 By cutting off the several strands of the treble gut 
 at different distances the whipping can be made to 
 taper, which is desirable. The whipping is commenced 
 below the head of the hook, so as to render that part 
 as little bulky as possible by the time the wings shall 
 be fixed. 
 
 Next give the whipping a thin coat of varnish and 
 let it dry, leaving the whipping-silk hanging fixed by a 
 half -hitch. 
 
 Select your tinsel for tag and body, silk for ditto, 
 tail-feathers, harl for butt, body and shoulder hackles, 
 and, lastly, wing-feathers and topping, placing them on 
 a sheet of white paper. 
 
 To form the tag take the tinsel and give it three or 
 four turns round the hook, crossing it over itself to 
 secure the lower end ; then do the same with the tag 
 silk, which secures the top end of the tinsel ; next take
 
 HACKLES AND TINSELS 
 
 NIIIMTERN BROS LiTH
 
 DOUBLED HACKLE 
 
 HACKLE. 
 
 HALF STRIPPED HACKLE. 
 
 MINTERN BROS LI
 
 HOW TO DBESS A SALMON-FLY. 91 
 
 a turn with the waxed silk and secure with a half- 
 hitch, cutting off the ends of tinsel and silk tags, thus 
 complete. 
 
 Now take your tail-feathers and fix them on the top 
 of the hook by a few turns and half-hitch of waxed 
 silk, covering the joint by the butt of ostrich or pea- 
 cock harl, which should be secured in same manner. 
 
 To get the harl to lie nicely requires some practice ; 
 to this end it is advisable, while winding on, to slightly 
 roll it between the fingers so as to give the fibres the 
 least set backwards. 
 
 Having selected a hackle of the required colour and 
 length of fibre, draw the fingers up it from point to 
 butt, so as to separate the fibres and make them stand 
 out ; then should a single hackle be required one side 
 must be stripped off. 
 
 Where the hackle is required double, i. e. in its 
 entirety, the fibres should be separated as above and 
 then squeezed flat together with the fingers as in the 
 drawing. 
 
 Next take the body-hackle and tinsel, and whip them 
 on with a turn or two of the waxed silk (which is still 
 hanging), the hackle being above the tinsel, and the 
 long ends of both pointing towards the tail of the fly, 
 and, for convenience, pass the waxed silk up the body 
 of hook and secure it for the time being between the 
 gut-loop and head of the iron. Take your body-silk, 
 give it a turn over itself, at the same time concealing 
 the whipping of tinsel, &c v then wind it smoothly up
 
 92 BY HOOK AND ST CROOK. 
 
 to the shoulder of the fly, to a point below the space to 
 be later on occupied by the shoulder-hackle, and fix it 
 with a turn of the waxed silk, which is now released. 
 
 To get the silk evenly on, it can be flattened out over 
 a needle as it is wound up the hook. 
 
 Now take the tinsel and incline it over towards the 
 head of hook, flattening the bend with the thumb-nail, 
 and wind on over the silk body in good bold coils an 
 equal distance apart, securing the end with a turn of 
 waxed silk, then do likewise with the hackle, laying it 
 close behind the tinsel for effect and protection. 
 
 There is a knack in laying on a hackle which is not 
 to be acquired in a moment, but if it be rolled in the 
 fingers during its progress up the hook, in the same 
 manner as the harl of the butt, it will be found to 
 acquire the correct set. 
 
 The next item is the shoulder-hackle, which having 
 been prepared in the same manner as that for the body, 
 should be wound on itself, as it were, at a point on the 
 hook so as to cover the whipping of body-silk, tinsel, 
 and hackle, and then secured with a turn or two and 
 half-hitch of the waxed silk, the only portion of the 
 hook now bare being that left for the wings. At this 
 point we generally give the work a touch of varnish. 
 
 All that now remains is to attach the wings, so having 
 selected the required feathers, and made up the two 
 wings separately (in the case of a mixed wing-fly), they 
 should be put together, placed in position on the hook, 
 and then secured with two or three turns of silk.
 
 PLAIN HACKLE. 
 
 JOINTED HACKLE 
 
 INDIAN CROW-JOINTED HACKLE 
 
 1TERN BROS UTH.
 
 HOW TO DRESS A SALMON-FLY. 93 
 
 It will possibly now be found requisite to coax the 
 fibres a bit, until they are all upon good terms with 
 each other, and do not stare, then they may be finally 
 secured with a few turns and a couple of half-hitches 
 of the waxed silk. 
 
 Some prefer a turn or two of ostrich harl over the 
 whipping as a finish, which it certainly is ; but we object 
 to it for two reasons, as it increases the size of the head, 
 which is undesirable, being apt to make a set-off in the 
 water, and, secondly, after much use the harl is certain 
 to become loose and frayed. 
 
 It only remains now to give the head two coats of 
 varnish, and allow it to thoroughly dry and set hard 
 before use. 
 
 Should a topping be required it must be fixed before 
 the wings are finally fastened, and whipped in with 
 them. 
 
 The materials used in fly- dressing, especially silks 
 and tinsels, should be fingered as little as possible, and 
 such work as waxing silk and whipping gut to hooks 
 had better be done with gloves on if immediately after- 
 wards it be intended to dress hooks. 
 
 The body of the fly should be gradually tapered from 
 head to tail. 
 
 Pig's Wool or Seal-Fur Body. 
 
 A considerable amount of practice is requisite to 
 enable the dresser to obtain a satisfactory result with 
 these materials, the latter being by far the easier of the
 
 94 BY noor ^.TD ST csoor. 
 
 two to work, for which reason perhaps it is in more 
 general nse than pig's wool, which \ve much prefer, 
 except for small flies, as it is far more hrilliant in the 
 water and the fibres well assert themselves. 
 
 To prepare pig's wool, which can be purchased dyed 
 in all shades, it is necessary to first clear it of the very 
 coarse hairs and then break the remainder up in the 
 fingers until the fragments are of required length, say in 
 a medium size fly about of an inch, or longer for use 
 towards the shoulder of the fly. 
 
 To dress the body having whipped on the tinsel and 
 hackle, well wax the whipping-silk, roll the pig's wool 
 out into thin lengths for use near the tail and thicker 
 for above, then spin them on to the silk, and wind it 
 up the body of the hook until it be covered, fixing with 
 a half-hitch. 
 
 TVind on the tinsel and hackle in usual manner and 
 make fast, then with a needle pick out the hairs of the 
 wool between the coils of tinsel, so that the whole 
 tapers gradually from shoulder to tail. Seal's fur will 
 not require much breaking up. 
 
 To fix a Single Wing. 
 
 It is much more difficult to fix a single- wing fly than 
 a mixed wing, as the single strip of feather which forms 
 each wing is very liable to split. 
 
 Unless the slips are taken from the centre tail- 
 feather, they should be cut from feathers on different 
 sides of the tail, or, in the case of wing-feathers, from
 
 PENNELL-L1MERICK. 
 
 PENNELL-SNECK.
 
 s. 
 
 .1 MER1 CK
 
 HOW TO DRESS A SALMON-FLY. 95 
 
 different wings, otherwise a good set will not be 
 obtained. 
 
 Having cut off the slips, put them together in the 
 fingers in the position they will be required to lie on 
 the hook, then compress the ends of the fibres, and 
 place them on the top of the shank, secure them 
 slightly with a couple of turns of silk, humour them 
 into the required set, and finally secure with a few 
 turns and a couple of half-hitches, then well varnish. 
 
 To Fix a Topping. 
 
 The wings having been fairly well fixed, take the 
 topping which has been stripped of the fluffy white 
 fibres at the quill, and cut off the latter to the required 
 length, then nip the quill with the thumb-nail just 
 above the point which the whipping will cover, other- 
 wise the topping will sit too flat on the wing. Next, 
 having taken a couple of turns with the whipping, 
 finally arrange the set of the topping to your satisfac- 
 tion and secure in usual manner, trimming the head 
 with a pair of scissors, and varnish. Cheeks and horns 
 are fixed in a similar manner. 
 
 Jointed Body-Hackle. 
 
 The hackle, whether entire or half stripped, should be 
 prepared in usual manner, whipped on and wound over 
 itself in the same manner as the shoulder-hackle.
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 ORIGINAL PATTERNS OF SALMON-FLIES. 
 
 THE following 12 patterns of salmon-flies have been 
 alluded to in a previous chapter. They were dressed, 
 as before explained, without reference to standard or 
 existing patterns, and have all killed many fish. We 
 dress each pattern in three sizes. 
 
 No. 1. Tag. Gold wire or thread, purple silk. 
 
 Tail. Golden Pheasant topping. 
 
 Butt. Black Ostrich harl. 
 
 Body. Jointed in three divisions of equal 
 length of yellow, orange, and red 
 floss silk (in order from tail) . Gold 
 tinsel from butt to head. 
 
 Hackle. In three joints, yellow, orange, and 
 red. 
 
 Shoulder-hackle. Black hackle red at points. 
 
 Wings. Mottled brown Turkey, grey Turkey, 
 Golden Pheasant tail, dark Mallard, 
 4 narrow slips of blue-dyed Swan, 
 2 broad slips of dun Turkey, 4 fibres 
 Peacock harl.
 
 N 1 & VARIETY. 
 
 -^'vy*" 
 
 ,-wdVJ*- 
 
 v ^ -*- 
 
 
 -nK^
 
 N? 3. 
 
 V- 
 
 'h 
 
 
 
 N? A-. 
 
 4TERN BROS. U7>
 
 ORIGINAL PATTERNS OF SALMON-FLIES. 97 
 
 Cheeks. Two bold slips of barred feather of 
 Summer Duck extending well up 
 the fly. 
 
 This pattern has been most successful in all states 
 of water, so much so that amongst friends 
 it has gained the name of " the Undefeated/' 
 
 No. 2. Tag. Gold tinsel thread and yellow silk. 
 Tail. Golden Pheasant topping. 
 Butt. Black Ostrich harl. 
 Body. l/3rd orange floss silk, 2/3rds dark 
 
 blue silk and gold tinsel. 
 Hackle. Blue Cock's (dyed). 
 Shoulder-hackle. Blue Cock's (dyed). 
 Wings (Mixed). Of light Mallard, brown mottled 
 
 Turkey, Golden Pheasant tail, Gallina, 
 
 yellow dyed Swan. 
 Topping. Golden Pheasant. 
 This is a very good pattern. 
 
 No. 3. Tag. Silver tinsel. 
 
 Tail. Yellow floss silk. 
 Body. Pale blue silk ; silver tinsel. 
 Body-hackle. Pale blue. 
 Shoulder-hackle. Reddy brown. 
 Wings (Mixed). Light Mallard, Golden Phea- 
 sant tail, a few fibres of yellow dyed 
 Swan, a couple of sprigs of Golden 
 Pheasant rump. 
 
 This is especially good for thin water. 
 
 H
 
 98 BY HOOE AND EY CEOOK. 
 
 No. 4. Tag. Gold tinsel thread, yellow floss silk. 
 Tail. Sprig of Golden Pheasant rump. 
 Butt. Black Ostrich harl. 
 Body. Yellow floss silk, black hackle, gold 
 
 tinsel. 
 
 Shoulder-hackle. Black. 
 Wings. Golden Pheasant tail, broad slip of 
 
 dun Turkey, two -wide slips of barred 
 
 Summer Duck. 
 Topping. Golden Pheasant. 
 Cheeks. Kingfisher. 
 Head. Black Ostrich harl. 
 
 No. 5. Tag. Gold tinsel thread, yellow floss silk. 
 
 Tail. Golden Pheasant topping. 
 
 Butt. Black Ostrich harl. 
 
 Body. Dark blue floss silk, brown hackle light 
 in colour towards the points, silver 
 tinsel and silver thread together. 
 
 Shoulder-hackle. Same as body. 
 
 Wings (Mixed). Grey Turkey, Bustard (In- 
 dian), Golden Pheasant tail and rump, 
 unbarred Summer Duck, and red dyed 
 Swan. 
 
 Horns. Blue and red Macaw. 
 
 Topping. Golden Pheasant, 
 
 Head. Black worsted.
 
 N 5. 
 
 N?6. 
 
 ITEF(r) BRCEl. l-ITh
 
 ORIGINAL PATTERNS OF SALMON-FLIES. 99 
 
 No. 6. Tag. Gold tinsel thread. 
 
 Tail. Golden Pheasant tippet, and one small slip 
 each of red and blue dyed Swan. 
 
 Butt. Black Ostrich harl. 
 
 Body. Four turns of yellow floss silk, the re- 
 mainder in three equal divisions of 
 pale blue, scarlet and black pig's 
 wool. Gold or silver tinsel. 
 
 Hackle. Fiery brown. 
 
 Shoulder-hackle. Dark grey. Flat oval gold 
 tinsel braid. 
 
 Wings (Mixed). Golden Pheasant tippet, 
 Mallard, Golden Pheasant tail, 2 slips 
 Dun Turkey or, better still, of Glead 
 Hawk, Gallina, 2 slips grey Turkey, 
 2 slips each yellow and blue dyed 
 Swan. 
 
 Head. Black worsted. 
 
 No. 7. Tag. Gold tinsel. 
 
 Tail. Full whisp of orange pig's wool. 
 
 Body. Lower half orange pig's wool, upper 
 
 half brown pig's wool. Gold tinsel. 
 Hackle and Shoulder-hackle. Brown. 
 Wings : Under. Dark green Mallard. 
 
 Upper. Brown or dun Turkey, whitish 
 at tips. 
 
 n2
 
 100 SY HOOK AND BY CEOOK. 
 
 No. 8. Tag. Gold tinsel thread. 
 
 Tail. Unbarred Summer Duck^ Golden Phea- 
 sant tippet and topping. 
 
 Body : Lower half. Orange pig's wool. 
 
 Upper half. Bright red do. Gold 
 tinsel. 
 
 Body-hackle. From middle to shoulder dark 
 red. Broad gold tinsel. 
 
 Shoulder-hackle. Fiery brown. 
 
 Wings (Mixed) . Dark brown Turkey, mottled 
 on lower half. 
 
 No. 9. Tag. Gold tinsel thread. 
 
 Tail. Golden Pheasant topping. 
 
 Body : Lowest third. Orange pig's wool. 
 
 Upper two thirds. Brown do. Gold 
 
 tinsel. 
 
 Hackle. Light red. 
 Shoulder-hackle. Ditto. 
 Wings. -Glead Hawk. 
 
 No. 10. Tag. Silver tinsel. 
 
 Tail. Golden Pheasant tippet. 
 Body. 2 turns yellow pig's wool. 
 
 2 do. red do. 
 
 Remainder green do. 
 Hackle. Green. 
 Tinsel. Broad silver. 
 Shoulder-hackle. Light brown.
 
 N? 12. 
 
 V- 
 
 y* 
 
 INTERN BROS.UTH
 
 ORIGINAL PATTERNS OF SALMON-FLIES. 101 
 
 Wings : Under. Teal. 
 
 Upper. Boldly mottled grey Turkey. 
 2 small slips red dyed Swan. 
 
 No. 11. Tag. Gold tinsel. 
 
 Tail. Yellow floss silk. 
 
 Body. Three turns orange pig's wool. 
 
 Remainder black do. Gold tinsel. 
 Hackle and Shoulder-hackle. Light reddy 
 
 brown. 
 
 Wings (Mixed). Golden Pheasant tail, Bus- 
 tard, grey Turkey, white and red 
 Swan, 2 wide slips of Glead Hawk. 
 
 No. 12. Bull Dog (old pattern revived). 
 
 Tag. Gold tinsel thread, and red floss silk. 
 
 Tail. Golden Pheasant topping and one King- 
 fisher feather. 
 
 Butt. Black Ostrich harl. 
 
 Body. 2/3rds up from tail medium-sized silver 
 tinsel braid, then a butt of black 
 Ostrich harl, remainder blue floss 
 silk and silver tinsel; two Golden 
 Pheasant toppings introduced behind 
 the 2nd harl butt, blue dyed Cock's 
 hackle over the blue silk portion of 
 the body. 
 
 Shoulder-hackle. Blue dyed Cock's hackle, 
 and over it a Teal feather wound as 
 a hackle.
 
 102 SY HOOK AND ST CEOOK. 
 
 Under Wings. Two bold sprigs of Golden 
 Pheasant tippet. 
 
 Wings. Four strips of black dyed Swan and 
 yellow dyed Swan put together so as 
 to form stripes, i.e. alternately, next 
 a bold sprig of Mallard on each side. 
 
 Cheek. A Jungle-cock feather, and over it a 
 Kingfisher. 
 
 Head. Black Ostrich harl. 
 
 No. 13. Tag. Gold tinsel. 
 
 Tail. Teal and Golden Pheasant rump. 
 Body. Bright red pig's wool and gold tinsel, 
 
 red hackle. 
 
 Wings. Brown mottled Turkey. 
 Shoulder-hackle. Teal, dressed over the 
 wings. 
 
 No. 14. Tag. Gold tinsel blue silk. 
 
 Tail. G. Ph. tippet and Summer Duck. 
 
 Butt. Peacock harl. 
 
 Body. Half of round silver braid, then purple 
 
 silk and orange silk, gold tinsel. 
 Hackle. Blue, and then brown. 
 Shoulder-hackle. Gallina. 
 Wings. 2 broad strips red Macaw. 
 4 do. do. Glead Hawk. 
 2 stripes (3 fibres each) of blue and 
 
 yellow Macaw. 
 
 2 broad strips Argus Pheasant. 
 N.B. In these patterns the heads may be omitted. 
 In default of Glead Hawk, use Dun Turkey.
 
 N9 13. 
 
 < 
 / 
 
 
 N 14. 
 
 INTERN BROS.LITH.
 
 [ 103 ] 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 FEATHERS CHIEFLY REQUIRED IN DRESSING HOOKS. 
 
 Hackles (for) : 
 
 Cock's hackles dyed in various colours. 
 
 Game Cock. 
 
 Grey Domestic Hen, black, and black tipped with 
 
 red. 
 
 Teal, Mallard, and Pintail (side feathers). 
 Heron, Jay, Gallina, Bittern, Bustard. 
 Winy and Tail (for) : 
 
 Pheasant, Golden, Silver, tail, ramp, tippet and 
 
 toppings, Common Pheasant, Argus, Himalayan, 
 
 and Amherst. 
 Swan, Turkey, Mallard, Sheldrake, Teal, Pintail, 
 
 and Wood or Summer Duck, Shoveller. 
 Gallina, Partridge, Grouse, Snipe, Woodcock, 
 
 Golden Plover, Bittern, Bustard, Glead Hawk, 
 
 Owl, Kingfisher, Indian Crow, yellow and red, 
 
 Jungle-Cock, Macaws, Ostrich, Peacock. 
 Small Birds: Wren, Thrush, Fieldfare, Water-Hen, 
 
 Rail, Starling, Dotterel, Coot, Ouzel, &c.
 
 [ 10* ] 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 THE INGLORIOUS DEATH OF A THAMES TROUT. 
 
 WHILE carelessly strolling with a friend one lovely 
 summer's morning in July along the towing-path of 
 Old Father Thames, somewhere about midway between 
 Oxford and London, our attention was suddenly at- 
 tracted by the sight of five fish lying motionless in 
 shallow water within a few feet of the bank, as yet 
 totally unconscious of our approach. 
 
 Upon drawing cautiously nearer to them, needless 
 to say from below stream, we were somewhat astonished 
 to find that they were trout, as although in the less 
 frequented reaches of the upper Thames, during the 
 early spring months, trout of various sizes may fre- 
 quently be observed feeding in close proximity to the 
 banks, it is by no means a common occurrence to find 
 them in a similar position so late as July, as by this 
 time of year they have generally discarded such open 
 spots, and have drawn up to the deeper waters near the 
 weirs, where they can enjoy greater privacy and a more 
 aerated stream, from which it is not their custom to
 
 THE INGLOEIOV8 DEATH OF A THAMES TXOUT. 105 
 
 wander, except during the evening, until early morn in 
 quest of food. 
 
 The bank upon -which we stood was about five feet 
 high, and by crawling along, keeping ourselves the 
 while concealed in the long coarse grasses growing on 
 its edge, we contrived to get almost immediately over 
 them, and peering through the cover could almost 
 count the brightly coloured spots on their backs and 
 sides, over which scarce six inches of water flowed, clear 
 as the proverbial crystal, lighted up by the midday 
 July sun. 
 
 The two larger fish of the party were apparently of 
 about 4 Ib. weight apiece, the other three considerably 
 less ; but they were all beautifully spotted with a depth 
 of colour which makes the Thames trout perhaps the 
 handsomest of his species, and at the same time instils 
 the angler with an insatiable curiosity to view their 
 beauties under the altered conditions afforded by a side 
 position with a background of green herbage. We 
 observed them thus for half an hour or more, and 
 except when a foot passenger, boat, or launch passed 
 by, they scarcely stirred, but when so disturbed they 
 would content themselves with leisurely dropping back 
 and out into the deeper water, to return immediately 
 the disturbance had passed away. 
 
 The reason of their selection of this particular spot 
 was not immediately apparent, in fact under existing 
 conditions it appeared a most unlikely resort; but 
 as several bleak were swimming about close by, heed-
 
 106 BY HOOK AND BY CROOK. 
 
 less of danger, seemingly as indifferent to the trouts' 
 proximity as the trout were to theirs, it evidently 
 was not for feeding purposes. 
 
 However, it doubtless was a favourite resort, for 
 when scared away from time to time, as soon as the 
 coast was again clear they invariably returned, assuming 
 the same relative positions. 
 
 Alongside of the towing-path grew a hedge, at the 
 foot of which ran a deep ditch, and during an excur- 
 sion of the fish into the deep water, we put our heads 
 over the bank and discovered that an earthenware 
 drain-pipe discharged into the river the overflow from 
 the ditch, the pipe being laid under the towing-path. 
 
 The flow of water was so small that its course was 
 not evident in the main stream, and hitherto the over- 
 hanging bank had concealed the projecting pipe from 
 view ; however, we soon ascertained that the tempera- 
 ture of the water it discharged was much lower than 
 that of the main stream, on account of the ditch being 
 deep and shaded from the sun, which evidently was 
 what gave the spot a peculiar charm from a trouty 
 point of view. 
 
 Now the observation of trout within easy reach may 
 possibly suggest the idea of making a more intimate 
 acquaintance, and this was exactly what occurred to us ; 
 but as we had with us no tackle of any description, we 
 had to be content with simply marking them down for 
 future use, so left them with the firm resolve that they 
 must come out of that upon the earliest opportunity.
 
 THE INGLORIOUS DEATH OF A THAMES TROUT. 107 
 
 For some few days previous to this occurrence we 
 had been tiying for trout further up the river with fly, 
 bleak, minnow, and loach, but our efforts were too 
 clumsy or the fish too alert, as the result was nil', 
 although a trout of about 10 lb., at Pangbourne, did on 
 one occasion actually condescend to charge from the 
 middle of the river at the loach, only to return, alas ! 
 when he got his nose within a few inches of the bait ; 
 so this was a particularly unfortunate time for any 
 trout to fall in with us, as revenge is sweet, even to 
 anglers, and more especially so when smarting under 
 the effect of disappointment and defeat. 
 
 Upon the following day, which was as hot as the 
 previous, and it can be real hot at times in the Thames 
 Valley, we sallied forth upon our errand of destruction 
 armed with two fly-rods and a spinning-rod, also the 
 finest gut in our possession, and the firmest intention 
 to do our utmost to get 6 to 4 the best of our 
 scaly friends. 
 
 We arrived at the place and were pleased to find the 
 fish all there in their old familiar positions, as if we 
 had left them but an hour ago; the only difference 
 being that they were a trifle further out in the stream, 
 so as to get the full benefit of the water which was 
 running rather more freely from the pipe. 
 
 While crouching on the bank a white cabbage 
 butterfly settled on the grass in front of us, which we 
 managed to secure, and having given him or her 
 (we are not well versed in the sex of butterflies) a
 
 108 SY HOOX AND ST CROOK. 
 
 friendly nip, as an experiment flicked him towards the 
 fish, and luckily he fell on to the water about a foot 
 ahead of the largest trout, whose privilege it appeared 
 was to occupy the foremost position. 
 
 The insect made a slight flutter with his wings, to 
 which the trout responded by a movement of the head, 
 then quietly sailed up and sucked him in. That insect 
 was no more. He had hitherto probably had no ex- 
 perience of the flavour of cabbage butterflies, but, 
 judging by the manner in which he subsequently kept 
 his eye on the surface, the taste for such a delicacy 
 was soon acquired. 
 
 There is, as the sequel proved, a great difference be- 
 tween an artificial fly attached to a line and the 
 natural insect that can flutter his wings with discretion, 
 or, as in this instance, with the reverse, for cast as best 
 we might up stream they would have nought with us. 
 So we then, after giving them a rest, tried spinning with 
 natural and artificial bait, both from the bank and punt 
 in the middle of the river, but with no good result, for 
 as soon as the instrument of torture came too near in 
 accordance with their ideas of the fitness of things, they 
 merely protested in the most effectual way by dropping 
 out into deeper water. 
 
 Matters were not now looking so rosy, and 10 to 1 
 on the trout would have been offered in vain, when 
 suddenly our companion looked at us, and we at 
 him, and it was evident the same fell design had 
 occurred to both, but neither dared speak the word in
 
 THE INGLOEIOVS DEATH OF A THAMES TROUT. 109 
 
 his mind. That word, to our shame be it told, was 
 " Wum ! " But giveu two novices at worm-hunting on 
 a baking hot day and a clay bank as hard as a brickbat, 
 it is far easier to put one's tongue on the word than 
 one's hand on the " Wum " ; and so it turned out with 
 us, for hunt as we might, not a vestige of worm could 
 we find j indeed, we were on the point of giving it up, 
 when au acquaintance who was in the habit of fishing 
 for barbel came in sight with his punt from below 
 stream. 
 
 He sympathized with us in our difficulties, and came 
 to our relief in a practical manner, saying, " Try one of 
 these, just got 'em from Nottingham this morning ; " 
 so, without wishing to cast the blame of this deed of 
 darkness upon shoulders other than our own, his offer 
 decided the question of right or wrong. 
 
 By these remarks be it not understood that we have 
 any wish to cast a slight upon worm-fishing proper on 
 the contrary, as the worm is the right bait with which 
 to take certain fish just as the fly or live-bait is for 
 others ; but we certainly are of opinion that to take 
 any of the Salmo species with the fly is a far more 
 sporting proceeding than with any other bait. 
 
 We are quite prepared to hear it argued that worm- 
 fishing for trout in thin clear water is as difficult, 
 or more so, than casting the artificial fly ; and we are 
 ready to grant that it is, but at the same time cannot 
 alter our views on the subject. 
 
 To continue, we next put up one of the fly-rods,
 
 110 BY ROOK AND BY CROOK. 
 
 and baited the hook with as enticing a worm as ever 
 hailed from the town of pretty lace and ladies ; then 
 there only remained to place it before the fish, which 
 was no easy matter, as although we ourselves were out 
 of sight, they would not stand the rod, but retired 
 into mid-stream whenever it appeared. 
 
 A happy thought struck us, so when the next passing 
 object caused their retirement to the depths, we, in 
 their absence, projected the other rod without line 
 over the bank ; and although a bit suspicious at first, we 
 were delighted to find that they soon became accus- 
 tomed to it, resuming their usual positions. 
 
 Things now remained for a bit in statu quo, and we 
 could not advance matters, until a passing boat scared 
 the trout away for a while, giving us the opportunity 
 to substitute the rod with baited line in place of the 
 bare rod. This we did, making the bait to fall about 
 a foot in front of the spot to which they were soon 
 to return, and as it fell the disturbance caused in 
 the water washed the sand up so as to conceal the 
 worm. 
 
 We next pulled a few yards of line off the reel and 
 took up our positions well behind the fishes' haunt, 
 and had not long to wait before they returned. 
 
 After a while we put the slightest tension on the 
 line, which had the desired effect of discovering the 
 worm, which at the most opportune moment gave a 
 wag of his head or tail, whichever it may have been (to 
 the uninitiated there is a considerable resemblance in
 
 THE INGLORIOUS DEATH OF A THAMES TROUT. Ill 
 
 the beginning and end of a worm) , and attracted the 
 attention of the foremost and largest trout. 
 
 Without a moment's hesitation he made a dash, gave 
 it with his head two or three savage shakes, then worm 
 and hook disappeared. 
 
 He was on the point of turning round to regain his 
 position, when his progress was arrested by a gentle 
 strike of the rod, which by this time was in hand, and 
 he learnt, too late, alas ! that he had been deceived. 
 
 Giving up the game as lost just then, however, was 
 far from his intention, so he rushed straight out into 
 mid-stream, and when there commenced to jump and 
 lash out on the surface with both head and tail to 
 such an extent that we were in fear for our tackle; 
 but he was obliged to give in eventually, and by the 
 aid of a landing-net a very pretty fish of about 4 Ib. 
 weight adorned the bank. 
 
 The fish was taken up stream as soon as hooked, so 
 as not to disturb the others more than could be helped, 
 who remained in their positions, but were very shy ; 
 and as we could do nothing with them, we eventually 
 turned it up for the day. 
 
 Although, perhaps, it may be open to argument that 
 the circumstances warranted the means, yet we must 
 confess that the satisfaction of grassing this trout was 
 not one tenth part as great as if we had caught him 
 with the legitimate and sportsmanlike fly, and we felt 
 we had played him rather a shabby trick. 
 
 Considering the numbers of trout which have been
 
 112 
 
 BY HOOK AND BY CROOK. 
 
 turned down in the Thames, it is rather surprising that 
 more are not taken ; although, of course, many under- 
 sized fish are captured and returned during a season. 
 From our experience, we would say that the Thames 
 has not sufficient fast-running streams of medium depth 
 and gravel bottom to constitute it a favourable river 
 for the habitation of medium-sized trout, while the 
 large number of jack and pike must play sad havoc in 
 their ranks. 
 
 There is one little bit of water on the Thames which 
 always takes our fancy for trout-fishing, viz. the private 
 water cut off from the main stream by weir sluices 
 and running parallel with the cutting above Cookham 
 Lock; but we hear the fish are very shy and have 
 every disinclination for the fly. 
 
 Most reaches of the upper Thames contain a trout or 
 two, which can be observed feeding about dusk or early 
 in the morning, but they are bad to get ; yet when one 
 does laud a fish, great is the reward. 
 
 The increase in the number of pleasure-boats during 
 the last five-and-twenty years, and the continual churn- 
 ing up of the water and washing away of the banks by 
 the angler's curse, the steam or electric launch's pro- 
 peller, has made a wonderful difference in Thames 
 angling; so much so, that in our days it is almost 
 useless to attempt it in the summer season between 
 Friday and Tuesday. 
 
 In the days gone by, when Skindle used to place 
 your soup on the table with his own hands, the man 
 who went down to Taplow on a Sunday by the ten
 
 THE INGLORIOUS DEATH OF A THAMES TROUT. 113 
 
 o'clock train was considered at least energetic ; then the 
 two o'clock train came into fashion, and now we get 
 down in time for dinner. Tempora mutantur. 
 
 The Thames gives amusement and sport to a vast 
 number of anglers who for various reasons have 
 no better field ; and as most of them have duties to per- 
 form during the week, Sunday is generally regarded as 
 a fishing-day on the suburban rivers in the south, in 
 contrast to the custom in the north of England and 
 Scotland, where if such practices were indulged in they 
 probably would soon be relinquished. 
 
 The Thames angler, as a rule, gets little sympathy 
 shown him by the occupants of pleasure craft, and he 
 who fishes from the bank has a poorish time of it, being 
 perpetually obliged to lift his line from the water to 
 avoid oars, sculls, towing-lines, or punt-poles, which 
 continually pass in dangerous proximity to his tackle. 
 
 As pleasure-seekers on the Thames will contain few 
 anglers in their ranks, no doubt this inconvenience to 
 bank-fishers is caused more from thoughtless ignorance 
 than any wilful desire to annoy; so if their atten- 
 tion were drawn to the matter, we cannot but think 
 that the result would be beneficial to anglers. 
 
 When men are really rowing up under the towing- 
 path, a divergence into the stream to avoid an angler's 
 tackle upsets the boat, or rather the rowing, for a few 
 min utes ; and when such courtesy is shown, it should 
 be acknowledged, which is not always the case perhaps 
 the angler has not recovered from astonishment before 
 the boat has passed by., 
 
 I
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 THE END OF THE SEASON. 
 
 " COME along, old chap, there are only five days more 
 this year, so let's make the most of them." Such 
 were our words to a brother fisher a few days before 
 the close of the salmon-season. 
 
 Now the last few days of the angling season are to 
 the fisher very much the same as the Manchester 
 November Handicap is to the racing man, although the 
 latter has a distinct advantage, in that he, after the 
 fashion of the busy bee, lays up, or at least is credited 
 with laying up, his winter's keep (so at least say the 
 Journals that weave the word Sport into their titles) ; 
 whereas the poor angler can only hope to store up in 
 his memory a few reminiscences to be recalled at the 
 fireside during the winter evenings. 
 
 To continue : No, it could not be managed, business 
 and a hundred other obstacles came in the way it is 
 really marvellous the amount of application a man 
 may have for business when there is a job on hand he 
 is not over keen about. However, in this instance, 
 after a deal of persuasion, play, wonderful to relate,
 
 THE END OF THE SEASON. 115 
 
 took precedence of work, and within a couple of hours 
 we both were in the train on a fifty-mile ride termi- 
 nating with a seven miles' drive in place of a hors 
 d'oKuvre at the commencement of dinner. 
 
 Onr quarters were ready and likewise a good square 
 meal, which was not amiss ; and by a slice of luck our 
 arrangements, which were all made by wire, came off 
 to the letter. 
 
 We had telegraphed to London for new waders and 
 brogues, to the Inn for rooms and dinner, to a friend 
 in a neighbouring town for licences and tickets, to a 
 tackle-maker for casts, to the station-master to order a 
 trap, and, strange to say, everything went right without 
 hitch of any sort, which we felt bound to accept as an 
 omen of good luck. 
 
 The water, we had previously ascertained, was in 
 pretty good order; and although information on this 
 subject is sometimes rather misleading, especially when 
 it happens to be supplied by interested parties, we 
 found in this instance it was pretty correct, as although 
 decidedly on the big side, the colour in all probability 
 would be good the next day ; so after our meal we set 
 to work in getting our rods and tackle in order, and as 
 the new waders were not to arrive until the morrow 
 we took the precaution of testing the old pair by the aid 
 of the pump, which was fortunate, as they ' ' lecked " 
 terribly, so the remainder of the evening was passed in 
 the manipulation of them, liquid india-rubber and 
 pieces of an old sponge bag, the disagreeable odour 
 
 i2
 
 116 SY HOOK AND BY CJ20OA". 
 
 thus generated being neutralized by a drop or two of 
 old Scotch. 
 
 The small punctures which "let in" had doubtless 
 been made by thorns picked up while walking through 
 woods, &c., the thorns themselves, in some instances, 
 even remaining fixed in the texture. Moral : " 'Ware 
 Thorns/"' 
 
 Casts were next soaked and tested equal to landing 
 anything under the weight of a full-sized sturgeon ; 
 it is surprising what little weight is in reality put upon 
 a line by an object floating in the water, as can be 
 proved by attaching a steelyard to a log and then 
 attaching the cast to the former while getting a second 
 person to read the indicator. 
 
 The Castleconnells were taken from the cases and 
 the two bottom joints spliced up, so as to save time in 
 the morning ; then, " Yes, thanks, just a wee drop 
 more ! " and so off to the blankets by 10.30. 
 
 " Six o'clock, gentlemen ! " " Right ! " and out we 
 turned, firmly of opinion that getting out of a warm 
 bed at an early hour was not all joy on a cold 
 November morning; but once on one's feet that is a 
 thing of the past, and by the time we had shaken into 
 our kits (no shaving-time allowed) the day was fairly 
 breaking; then, having stowed away as much ham and 
 eggs as we conveniently could at one sitting, we set off on 
 our Avalk of a mile to the river. There is nothing like 
 a brisk walk before a day's fishing, especially when it 
 entails wading, as the circulation is raised for the day ;
 
 THE END OF THE SEASON. 117 
 
 so the angler should not allow himself to accept a lift, 
 unless the distance be beyond a walk, then he had 
 better do the last mile or so on foot if he wish to wade 
 in comfort. 
 
 The best plan is to carry the waders and put them 
 on when the pool is reached, as by so doing the walk is 
 made easier and the waders kept dry ; whereas, should 
 the waders be walked in, heat and perspiration are gene- 
 rated, to be condensed upon entry of the cold water ; 
 w r ear and tear of the waders is also, avoided. 
 
 No time is lost by this method, and if the cast be 
 placed to soak while the waders are being put on, it 
 will be fit to hold a fish should the angler chance to 
 hook one early on. 
 
 Waders on, we set to work with a cast of three yards, 
 the last being of single gut, and a rather large size fly, 
 a variation of our pattern No. 13, but to all intents and 
 purposes the same. 
 
 This, it will be admitted, is not a showy fly, although 
 doubtless the gold tinsel lights it up a bit; but we have 
 killed fish with it after it has been dressed a couple of 
 years and the tinsel has become discoloured, so it may 
 be that the shoulder-hackle, being dressed over the 
 wings, makes it show well. 
 
 Thus we started casting at the head of the pool in 
 strong rough water, the other rod commencing lower 
 down towards the tail, where the stream ran slower 
 and deeper, holding as a rule large fish, especially at 
 this time of year.
 
 118 BY HOOK AND BY CROOK. 
 
 The upper rod had fished down about 20 yds., and 
 now was casting over some large sunken rocks indi- 
 cated by a slight swirl on the surface of the water ; the 
 fly had worked about three quarters round, when it 
 was held at a point, the rod instantly raised, and some- 
 thing struck which gave two tugs in return, revealing 
 the fact that it was no fixture. He replied to the 
 pressure with a real good leap into the air, showing 
 himself to be a fresh-run fish of apparently about 
 16 Ib. weight, then fell back with a smack into the 
 water, happily well clear of the line, and immediately 
 made a grand rush straight across the stream, running 
 out about 40 yards of line, and there remained for 
 some little time until the pressure of the rod began to 
 tell somewhat upon him, then by gradually reeling-up 
 we got him, comparatively speaking, under control 
 within about 20 yds. of the bank. 
 
 Up to this point we had been standing up to our 
 middle in water, so we took advantage of this, the 
 first opportunity, to get out on to the bank, which, as 
 it happened, was no very easy job, as at this spot it was 
 rocky and high above the water-level. 
 
 The fish was on his best behaviour during this man- 
 oeuvre, which, by-the-bye, should always be effected 
 deliberately (as a sudden jerk caused by a slip may 
 be costly), and remained quiet for ten minutes or so, 
 until getting tired of inaction we applied extra pressure, 
 to which he responded by gently shifting up stream, 
 a move we by no means appreciated, as just above
 
 THE END OF THE SEASON. 119 
 
 some very high willow bushes grew on the bank, and 
 in keeping pace with the fish it was a matter of con- 
 siderable difficulty to pass the line over them. 
 
 It was a bit of a struggle, but the line kept clear 
 as higher and higher he ploughed his way right into 
 the rough broken water, until its force and the pressure 
 of the rod combined obliged him to drop back past the- 
 willows again and seek rest in his favourite haunt. 
 
 When a fish is out in strange water one can mind 
 him pretty well, but when he returns to his own run 
 it is time to look out for squalls, as he is pretty sure 
 to be bent on some mischief. 
 
 In this instance we could tell by the movement of 
 the line that he was rubbing his jaws against a rock, 
 in the endeavour to get quit of the hook, so we took 
 hard hold of him, with the result that he again sought 
 the rough water, which we did not so much mind, as 
 by now we were getting quite accustomed to the willows. 
 
 Three times he passed and repassed those bushes and 
 we were getting pretty sick of the job, when a new 
 device occurred to him, and oif he rushed about 30 yds., 
 having in all not less than 50 yds. of line out, then rose 
 to the surface showing the entire length of his body 
 and lashed out with head and tail so continuously that 
 we fully expected something must part. 
 
 It was a case of " Hold hard, good tackle ! " and fortu- 
 nately hold hard it did, in spite of his having fallen 
 right across the cast more than once ; and here we may 
 remark that when a fish shakes and jags in this manner
 
 120 SY HOOK AND XT CSOOS: 
 
 at the line, it is a good plan to take the rod in both 
 hands, one high up and the other below the reel, the 
 rod being held quite clear of the body, by this means 
 the jar on the line is not so great as if the butt of the 
 rod were held against the groin. 
 
 Finding these tactics of no avail, and being no doubt 
 somewhat exhausted by his efforts, he once more re- 
 turned to the middle of the stream and endeavoured to 
 settle down for further resistance; out here he was out 
 in his calculations, as he had taken too much out of 
 himself to be able to resist the power of the rod, and 
 began to roll in a way that foretold the end was not 
 far off; however, he gallantly pulled himself together 
 for one more effort, but the now gradually shortening 
 line was more than he could combat as it steadily 
 hauled him to bank. 
 
 Our friend incautiously showed himself while ap- 
 proaching to use the gaff, and even then the fish made 
 a short run, his last, as soon he was towed to the 
 bank and the gaff did its work although so exhausted 
 was he, that, had the nature of the bank permitted, he 
 might easily have been tailed. 
 
 We weighed her, a clean-run hen fish of 18 lb., as 
 bright as the proverbial new shilling; and although 
 not a large fish, and killed as late as November, we 
 cannot recollect having fought a gamer one during the 
 40 minutes' sport she gave us. 
 
 After a short rest and a pipe we continued to fish 
 down, and were casting in a bit of a swirl, when a big
 
 THE END OF THE fEASON. 121 
 
 fisli came up and seized the fly clean off the surface, 
 more after the manner in which a duck takes a piece 
 of bread. 
 
 He had probably seen the fly the previous cast and 
 was ready waiting for the next. When he felt the hook 
 he turned up, showing himself to be rather discoloured, 
 having likely enough been in the water a few weeks 
 although there is no certainty about this, as we have 
 frequently observed discoloured fish right in the estuary 
 at the back end of the season. He made good use of 
 his weight and spun the line out several times, but not 
 with the same grand rushes of the first fish, nor did he 
 show the same resource in his attempts to get away. 
 He gave us a good half-hour's sport, and eventually 
 turned the scale at 25 Ib. 
 
 After this we walked up to another pool, and in a 
 few casts hooked our third fish, another clean-run one; 
 but we were not so fortunate with him, as after showing 
 himself a few times he would do nothing but shake his 
 head and jag at the line, giving us the idea that he was 
 lightly hooked; and such was probably the case, as 
 although we handled him tenderly for a quarter of an 
 hour, in giving a half-turn over the hook came away, 
 not very much to our surprise, and the line came back 
 to us in that elegant curve so well known to most 
 anglers, telling us that our acquaintance was severed, 
 at all events for the present. The fly was on and the 
 point of the hook as keen as when new. 
 
 By this time it was half-past four and getting dark,
 
 122 BY HOOK AND BY CROOK. 
 
 so we gave it up for the day, warmed ourselves up with 
 " a wee drop of the mon/' and walked home, to discuss 
 the incidents of the day over a good feed and a warm fire. 
 
 The above sport was gained by one rod : curiously 
 enough the other never had a touch all day, though 
 regular turns were taken in fishing the pools; indeed, 
 the twenty-five pounder was caught while fishing after 
 the other rod, whose fly in all probability originally woke 
 him up. 
 
 After killing the first fish, rod No. 1 gave the success- 
 ful fly to rod No. 2, who, as stated above, likely enough 
 attracted with it the second fish } which eventually fell a 
 victim to rod No. 1 with a somewhat similar fly. Such 
 is luck !
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 A FINE SAO ON THE TEST. 
 
 A REALLY big day's sport now and again is a pleasant 
 variety to most anglers, but we must confess to being 
 not one of those who measure the pleasure of angling 
 in exact proportion to the quantity or weight of fish 
 killed, and for this reason have not much sympathy for 
 angling competitions and such like. 
 
 In these days of competitions in sports and pastimes 
 we may be considered a bit old-fashioned in our ideas, 
 but we shall have to remain so, as in our opinion the 
 great charm of angling ceases to exist when the sport 
 has to be conducted at break-neck speed, allowing little 
 or no time for observation and reflection. 
 
 We admit that in a given space of time a good fisher- 
 man will probably gain more result than a bad one ; 
 that being so, the time-test may serve its purpose ; but 
 we take leave to doubt if the art of angling derives 
 any benefit therefrom, or if anglers improve themselves 
 by its use ; but each to his taste. 
 
 Our experience teaches that a really big day is more 
 the result of climatic influences than particularly good
 
 124 BY HOOK AND ST CKOOK. 
 
 angling, and when an extraordinary take has fallen to 
 our share we cannot recollect that we have been able to 
 congratulate ourselves upon any particular smartness ; 
 but we have many a time arrived home pleased with 
 having landed a few fish under somewhat unfavourable 
 circumstances, and are inclined to think that, compara- 
 tively speaking, poor fishing makes a good fisherman 
 in the same manner that poor land makes a good farmer. 
 It may be that the grapes are sour. 
 
 Without further excuse we will proceed to narrate 
 the circumstances which gave rise to the foregoing 
 remarks : " Can you get me a day's trout-fishing any- 
 where near London ? " said a friend to us one day 
 a question which in our times takes, as a rule, a good 
 deal of answering; but on this occasion, thanks to 
 the kindness of a friend, who at the time rented about 
 a couple of miles of good water on the Test, we were 
 in a few hours able to reply in the affirmative. 
 
 The necessary preparations were made, and down we 
 went one broiling hot evening in July by train to a 
 Junction on the South -Western Railway, and thence 
 drove about eight miles to the house, which had been 
 kindly placed at our disposal. We arrived in nice time 
 for an hour's fishing before supper, which at the time of 
 year is worth about as much as the previous hours of 
 the day all put together, especially when the weather 
 is really hot and sultry. 
 
 The river here has few trees or tall bushes growing 
 on its banks, so is easy to cast over, but it is a sine
 
 A FINE BAG ON THE TEST. 125 
 
 qua non to cast up stream, and from as far back from 
 the bank as possible, these maxims holding good even 
 in the evening. 
 
 We killed between us 2^ brace with a yellow dun 
 dressed with double wings as a floating fly, just sufficient 
 to make us keen for the morrow ; the fish were each 
 over f lb., two brace under that weight being returned 
 whence they came such was the rule of fishing, and 
 a very good rule, too, for anglers who prefer decent 
 sized fish to those of the length of one's thumb. 
 
 Our friend had done most of his fishing on the 
 Devonshire streams, and, as far as we could make out, 
 his experience had been chiefly with fish weighing from 
 three or four to the pound ; consequently, he was well 
 pleased with the Test, and appeared to be surprised that 
 the reports he had read in the sporting papers were 
 pretty near the mark. 
 
 If one believes all one hears, anglers are not famous 
 for veracity, and it is curious that if one inquires the 
 average weight of fish on any particular river, the 
 information is pretty certain to be on the big side of 
 one's own after experience : perhaps it may be that 
 the large fish having been taken out only the smaller 
 remain, or how is it ? 
 
 There are few streams superior to the Test for dry 
 fly or any other sort of trout-fishing ; the river is cut 
 out for it, and almost makes one wish one were a trout. 
 
 The river runs at this station about three or four 
 feet deep as a rule, but in the flats and near the mills
 
 126 SY HOOK AND SY CEOOK. 
 
 to a much greater depth, as clear as crystal, over a 
 beautifully clean bed composed chiefly of chalk and 
 small gravel, out of which grow here and there bunches 
 of long slender weed, swaying to and fro with ever- 
 changing form, affording excellent cover for the fish 
 and nurseries for the different kinds of larvae, either in 
 their initial or final forms, on which the trout feed. 
 
 The sun streaming through the open window awoke 
 us early next morning, proclaiming j ust such another 
 as the previous day ; and as upon reaching the river not 
 a rise could be seen, we decided to have breakfast at once. 
 
 On previous occasions, under average circumstances, 
 without fishing particularly hard, we had generally 
 managed to annex four to five brace of sizeable fish, 
 but now, with this scorching sun and clear blue sky, 
 chances of sport seemed doubtful however, as will be 
 seen, it was decreed otherwise, and we were doomed to 
 agreeable disappointment. 
 
 After breakfast we again sallied forth with the in- 
 tention of making the best of a bad job ; and such,indeed, 
 it appeared likely to be, the sun beating down on the 
 glass-like surface of the stream, unruffled even by a 
 breath of air, and we considered ourselves fairly fortu- 
 nate when by two o'clock we had managed to kill a 
 brace and a half between us no great work it must be 
 admitted ; then, feeling rather done up by the intense 
 heat, we followed the example set by the cattle in seeking 
 the welcome shade offered by a chestnut-tree, at the 
 same time disposing of our frugal lunch.
 
 A FINE SAG ON THE TEST. 127 
 
 We had passed an hour or two smoking and chatting, 
 when we noticed a few puffy clouds coming up from 
 the west, which gradually increased in size until the 
 glare of the sun was partially obscured, and the light 
 air which wafted them grew into a nice breeze. 
 
 To see if anything was on the move we walked about 
 half a mile up stream, until we arrived at a bend where 
 the water was deep and about 20 yds. wide as a rule 
 dead as ditch water, the leeward bank being bordered 
 by high flag rushes extending several feet thick, where 
 generally it was impossible to rise a fish, but to-day 
 matters were different. 
 
 By this time the light airs had increased to a stiffish 
 breeze and a fine rain commenced to fall, so we at 
 least could count upon getting a wet skin of some sort. 
 
 The feed, chiefly duns and sedge-flies, was being blown 
 in hundreds straight from our feet to the opposite bank, 
 until they came in contact with the rushes aforesaid, 
 and sooner or later dropped into the water, when as each 
 fly fell there seemed to be a trout awaiting to claim him. 
 
 We put on a yellow dun with a thick stuffy body, 
 such as no trout would condescend to look at upon 
 any ordinary occasion at all events these specimens 
 had been the oldest tenants of our fly-book up to then; 
 but now the fish were fairly on the feed and apparently 
 off their heads. 
 
 We commenced casting scarcely ten yards apart, the 
 strong wind at our backs lending us material assistance 
 in making the long cast so as to reach the rushes.
 
 128 EY HOOK AND BY CSOOK. 
 
 It was real butclicr-boy work, as the sine qua non 
 was to hit the rushes hard, so that the fly rebounded 
 and fell quickly into the water which was precisely 
 what was happening to the real insects, for as soon as 
 they struck the rushes the force of the wind kept them 
 there, rendering wing-motion impossible, with the result 
 that they gradually but surely fell. 
 
 This was indeed fly-fishing made easy and an instance 
 when the ability to cast a long line came in useful ; 
 but still, as the saying goes, " there is no rose without a 
 thorn/' only in our case the thorn was represented by 
 a high shaggy thorn hedge, which, as is the way with 
 such obstacles, elected to grow exactly where it could 
 afford much annoyance to anglers, namely within a 
 few yards of their backs, and not being content with 
 the nuisance it itself provided, graciously condescended 
 to form a species of hat-peg for all kinds of vegetable 
 growth, whose sole aim and ambition in life were con- 
 centrated in attempts to reach the sky. 
 
 Here was a natural web, formidable as any made by 
 spider for fly, and although the wild roses and convol- 
 vuli may, with bowing heads and dulcet tones, have 
 invited the duns to come into their parlour, the hospi- 
 tality was not accepted, although, perhaps, it might have 
 been had they not been lifted quickly and perpendicu- 
 larly from the water and returned without delay. 
 
 As before mentioned, there was little or no stream 
 at this part of the river, and the fish as soon as hooked 
 sought safety and assistance from the weed growing on 
 the bottom, so we had to supply a stream of our own
 
 A FINE BAG ON THE TEST. 
 
 129 
 
 by running up bank as soon as a fish was hooked, thus 
 keeping them out of the weeds. 
 
 In a short space of time we had both creels full of 
 splendid fish all over f lb., many of 1 lb., 1^ lb., and some 
 21b. apiece. 
 
 It soon became too dark to see, when a gentle drizzle 
 and a decided feeling of emptiness decided us to give 
 up for the day ; so we took our spoils home and counted 
 out 18^ brace, weighing 42 lb., besides which we had 
 returned 5^ brace of undersized fish. 
 
 Our friend the hedge bagged two duns and a sedge fly. 
 
 The bag was made within a distance of 40 yards, and 
 in little over a couple of hours : it seemed as if 
 nothing would put the fish off, not even the dying 
 struggles of their pals ; they had made up their minds 
 for a good feed, and they would have it ; although 
 generally discriminating, on this occasion they threw 
 all caution to the winds and paid the penalty in con- 
 sequence. No great skill was requisite to defeat them, 
 and no doubt the elements were greatly to blame. 
 
 
 GRAYLING.
 
 [ 130 ] 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 A LUCKY EVENING. 
 
 " NEVER mind about me, Mac ! I haven't touched a 
 thing all day, and can easily carry home my traps my- 
 self/' 
 
 Such were our words to the keeper who had been 
 kindly sent to meet us at the close of the day's 
 work, to assist in landing home our traps and fish, if 
 any there might be. 
 
 The notice to quit was not very gracious, especially 
 as, being a sportsman himself, he seemed to enjoy 
 an hour's wait at the water-side of a fine October 
 evening, watching, with a critical eye, the imperfection 
 in each cast, the wreaths of blue smoke from the short 
 pipe alone indicating his presence under that ivy- 
 covered ledge of rock. 
 
 The presence of a clever angler makes one fish very 
 carefully and in the most orthodox style, but we think 
 in many cases it leads to what may be termed gallery 
 casting to the detriment of the purely practical ; at all 
 events, we must confess that the .presence of a second 
 party somewhat distracts our attention, and it is easier
 
 A LUCKY EVENING. 131 
 
 to bear defeat when there is no witness of our failure. 
 Solitude is the angler's delight, and the expression on 
 the face of the stream derived from swirls and eddies is 
 as familiar to him as that of his best friend, banishing 
 all feeling of loneliness. 
 
 The idea that someone is killing time on the bank is 
 irksome and detracts from one's freedom, so after a 
 second refusal of our friend's services we heard the 
 clink of a clay pipe against the rock and saw him no 
 more, but at the finish the laugh was rather on his side. 
 
 To return to the subject : 
 
 It was about 4 o'clock on this October evening, and 
 the sun, after giving a parting glance,had just disappeared 
 behind the trees which topped the opposite bank, placing 
 the stream in that still cool shade so favourable to the 
 angler. 
 
 The air had been sharp through the day, and having 
 fished without success we had moved up with the idea 
 of giving the last hour of light to this pool, thinking 
 that, as the atmosphere had become softer, there might 
 still be a chance of sport. 
 
 The pool started about fifty yards below a high stone 
 bridge, and extended to a length of a hundred yards or 
 so, then turned a sharp corner and subsided into a long 
 uninteresting flat. 
 
 The water at the top of the pool was broken by 
 large boulders at the bottom, and then finished in 
 swirls and eddies until, as it were, exhausted. 
 
 The high rocky bank, faced with trees and shrubs, 
 
 K2
 
 132 SY HOOK AND BY CKOOK. 
 
 ran right down to the water's edge, obliging the angler 
 to take the water and make the best of a very nasty 
 piece of wading, until he could get out into a narrow 
 footway at the base of the rock by which the stream 
 ran to a depth of 6 feet or so. 
 
 The catch, which lay about 20 yards out, could only 
 be commanded by the Spey cast, so, taking all things 
 into consideration, it would not be called a good pool 
 for a novice. 
 
 The water was big, but of a nice " Ale " colour, as 
 they there term it, so we put on a large showy fly and 
 began wading down from the head of the pool. 
 
 We had cast down about 15 yards when, just as the 
 fly had swung round to the middle of the stream, a 
 big swirl marked the surface, immediately followed by 
 a tug at the line. 
 
 For a moment we thought our luck had turned and 
 we were at last in for a bit of sport ; but not so, as a 
 few seconds after the line came back loose, telling its 
 own tale. Our luck seemed, indeed, run out, but after 
 wasting a few moments in an address to the surround- 
 ings generally, in terms more or less uncomplimentary 
 to the fish, we decided to continue casting down, and 
 give him another chance after a few minutes' rest, as he 
 might possibly not have been pricked; this was our 
 impression. We then cast down to the point where it 
 became obligatory to take the bank, and at the third 
 cast the fly was again taken, but this time had fairly 
 got hold, so we stuck into the fish pretty hard.
 
 A LUCKY EVENING. 133 
 
 He took a few short runs and then confined opera- 
 tions to the deep water in the centre of the pool, 
 fighting a good stand-up battle without shifting his 
 ground. 
 
 This game continued for some minutes, when, for a 
 change, he suddenly made off down stream to the tail 
 of the pool, where we had to hold him hard, as it was 
 impossible to pass the trees which grew right down to 
 the water's edge. 
 
 He tugged and tugged again until we fully expected 
 to see the line part ; however, he gave it up and headed 
 straight up stream, where, after about 20 minutes' 
 further resistance, we were able to haul him alongside 
 the bank. 
 
 By this time it had become quite dusk, and with 
 difficulty could we see to gaff him, the perpendicular 
 bank making it no easy matter at any time ; however, 
 we at last got him safely to grass, a nice well-grown 
 fresh fish of 19 Ib. 
 
 Darkness was by this time fast setting in, and a 
 drizzling rain falling, calculated to soak one through in 
 about half an hour ; but we determined not to give it up 
 without affording our first friend another chance, so with 
 some difficulty, on account of the darkness, we waded 
 again to the head of the stream and commenced casting 
 with the same fly, which had come scathless through 
 the previous ordeal. 
 
 We thought we had passed the fish, and, on account 
 of the darkness, were rather pleased than otherwise
 
 134 SY HOOK AND BY CROOK. 
 
 that he had refused again to be tempted, and were 
 swinging the fly round for the last time when up he 
 rushed from his stronghold, dashed at it like a bull-dog, 
 and was fast as a clothes-line. 
 
 Without a moment's hesitation he seemed to dart off" 
 to the far side of the river, at least so it appeared to 
 us, but it was impossible to tell in the pitch darkness 
 which had set in ; at all events we knew he had run off 
 about fifty yards of line. 
 
 Standing in darkness upon the bottom of a swift 
 river, at the same time playing a big fish, is no fool's 
 play, and we are not at all sure that we have any desire 
 to repeat the experiment, as, besides the difficulty of 
 threading one's way over the rocks, except from what- 
 ever information may be derived from the fish, the 
 angler cannot be certain if he is wading towards the 
 bank or the centre of the river. 
 
 We managed, with considerable difficulty, to gain 
 the bank, the fish all the time running about and 
 fighting as if to take every advantage of our predica- 
 ment ; then matters were a bit easier j yet it is no 
 light task to play a fish, when his position is uncertain 
 and one cannot accurately judge how much line is 
 out. 
 
 We could feel and hear that he several times jumped 
 clear out of the water, then inflicted upon us a very 
 tedious and uncertain half-hour, during which we hung 
 on, not caring much if the line parted or not, and 
 at length got him, as far as we could judge, close
 
 A LUCKY EVENING. 135 
 
 into the bank and could tell that he was rolling from 
 distress. 
 
 We reeled him up tight, but, although no doubt he 
 was close in, we could neither see fish nor line, so we got 
 out the gaff, which fortunately was over our shoulder, 
 and by reaching out managed to get the crook round 
 the line, and passed it down in the direction of the fish 
 until they met. We then cleared the line and struck 
 at where we guessed the fish should have been, but 
 only scraped him, so were obliged to repeat the per- 
 formance a second time, fortunately with success, as 
 we gaffed him just under his neck and hauled him to 
 bank without further mishap. He scaled 24 lb., and 
 was a fine cock fish. 
 
 Taking off one's waders &c. is not the sweetest of 
 jobs at any time, and the pleasure is no greater when 
 the operation has to be conducted in pelting rain and 
 pitch darkness. 
 
 In time, however, we got the kit and rod packed up, 
 and having tied each fish together by head and tail, 
 slung them across our back and set off for the two- 
 mile trudge home all up-hill, by the way. 
 
 And a nice tramp it was, running into a hedge one 
 moment and into a ditch the next, the fish swinging 
 from side to side all the time, and the bit of old line 
 which carried them nearly cutting our shoulders in 
 two. 
 
 We were congratulating ourselves on having accom- 
 plished about half of the journey when, while sliding
 
 136 BY HOOK AND BY CROOK. 
 
 over the top of a hedge (having missed the gate), 
 the string of one of the fish snapped and, flop, flap, 
 squash ! fell the brute in the muddy ditch. Well, we 
 rescued him, made good the breakage, and eventually 
 arrived home, as wet from heat and rain as if hauled 
 through a stream. 
 
 Many a time during that trudge home did we regret 
 having dismissed the keeper, who had a good laugh on 
 our return ; however, a tub and change of clothes soon 
 relegated our discomforts to the past. 
 
 The experiences of our friend, who had been fishing 
 lower down, were somewhat similar to our own, as he 
 did nothing all day, until the evening, when he landed 
 an 18-pounder, just about the time we killed the first 
 fish. He then wisely gave up for the day, but we don't 
 think he would have done so had he previously raised 
 another fish.
 
 [ 137 ] 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 CHUB-FISHING ON THE THAMES. (fLY.) 
 
 THE angler who at the present day seeks this class of 
 sport is, on account of the increased traffic, driven to 
 the highest reaches of the Thames. The advent of 
 the noisy steam-launch has well nigh precluded all 
 possibility of such sport on the lower and mid river, 
 excepting, perhaps, in a few quiet backwaters and 
 weir-tails, as, even during the middle days of the week, 
 there is an unceasing procession of these nuisances 
 churning up the stream and washing down the banks as 
 they pursue their own sweet way. 
 
 In times gone by, many a long summer day have 
 we spent gliding silently down stream in a skiff held up 
 by noiseless sculls, while the red or black palmer was 
 made to drop at the very edge of the willows over- 
 hanging the banks or would now and again penetrate 
 the shady crevices they created. 
 
 Even in those days the week ends were busy times 
 for the various Inns, but the fashion of going down on 
 Sunday for dinner was a thing of the future, and at 
 any rate the angler could count upon enjoying peace
 
 138 SY HOOK AND ST CEOOK. 
 
 and quietness during the middle of the week in the 
 reaches of the mid and upper Thames. 
 
 Now all this is changed, so that if the angler 
 wishes for any chance of sport he should at least go 
 straight away to above Reading, where he can still 
 get a fair number of decent-sized fish. 
 
 We always recall those days of chub-fishing with 
 pleasure, as it was in this pursuit that we first learnt 
 to cast a fly-line and acquired a taste for the sport of 
 angling, for had not such opportunities been given we 
 might never have handled the rod, and so have been 
 deprived of a vast amount of enjoyment. Fly-fishing 
 for chub, in our opinion, is the best sport the Thames 
 affords, as a good angler can make pretty certain of 
 landing a few during the day, while it is first-rate 
 practice for any other class of fly-fishing ; indeed, one 
 who is a really good caster of a chub-fly can, with 
 half an hour's practice, be converted into an excellent 
 trout- or salmon-fisher. 
 
 In the expression of these opinions we shall probably 
 run counter to the ideas of those who prefer casting or 
 spinning bait for trout, who may argue that spinning 
 for trout is better sport than fly-fishing for chub so 
 in our opinion it is, if a fair number of fish be landed ; 
 but spinning from boat or weir, for weeks together, 
 without getting fish, we hardly think can be called sport. 
 
 The chub is a wary timid fish, and must be ap- 
 proached silently and with caution ; the angler should 
 cast a longish line and make the fly drop as close as
 
 CHUB-FISHING ON THE THAMES. (fLT.) 139 
 
 possible to the bank or bushes under which the fish 
 rest, waiting until some insect shall fall within reach. 
 
 To accomplish this, a difficult underhand cast has 
 frequently to be made, and it is wonderful what, with 
 practice, a fly can be made to do ; but the angler must 
 bear in mind that no false casts must be made, as 
 such a one is usually sufficient to scare any chub. 
 
 The fly should be made to hit the water smartly, as 
 do the insects which it is intended to imitate. 
 
 For this class of fishing we prefer a stiff 12-foot rod, 
 line and reel of the size used for sea-trout, and three 
 yards of stout single gut ; lighter tackle than this we 
 consider inadvisable, as, with such, it is next to im- 
 possible to cast a big palmer with precision, as, in the 
 first place, the fly is heavy, and then picks up a deal 
 of water. 
 
 The heavier line naturally causes more disturbance 
 upon striking the water; but this effect is covered by 
 that made by the heavy fly, especially when, as is 
 proper, it falls with a good flop. 
 
 Chub can be nicely approached in a Canadian canoe, 
 as, when skilfully managed, almost perfect silence can 
 be observed. The paddler had best turn the nose up 
 stream and allow her to drift gently down at about half 
 the pace of the main stream while the angler faces and 
 fishes down. 
 
 With a skiff the same tactics may be adopted, only, 
 of course, in this case the angler sits or stands in the 
 stern.
 
 140 BY HOOK AND SY CROOK. 
 
 To manage either craft requires a deal of practice, so 
 as to keep the nose straight while following the curves 
 of the bank, at the same time keeping a uniform dis- 
 tance from it all the way down, thereby sparing the 
 angler the necessity of continually lengthening and 
 shortening line. 
 
 It is next to impossible for the angler himself to 
 work his craft in a stream, but should he be obliged to 
 do so, the best plan is to drop a weight through a ring 
 over the bows attached to a long line, which he can 
 let out while he casts that length, then haul up and 
 drop down a further distance ; but it is not easy or 
 very satisfactory work. 
 
 A spot where the stream runs fast under over- 
 hanging boughs is the favourite haunt of chub during 
 daytime ; there he paddles about, for ever on the alert 
 for any dainty morsels in the shape of larvae which 
 may happen to fall within his grasp. At early morn or 
 upon Sundays (when the mills are stopped) he may be 
 seen sailing leisurely about or basking in still shallow 
 waters, but these he quits as soon as the turmoil of the 
 day begins. 
 
 Under the shade of camsheathing or boat-house he 
 may be often found, and the roots of an old tree 
 may be his home; but he is far easier lured from 
 under the willows, where he appears to be more off his 
 guard and less suspicious. 
 
 Previous to approaching the chub lying in an exposed 
 position, it is well to get out the required length of line
 
 CHUB-FISHING ON THE THAMES, (FLY.) 141 
 
 and poise it in air while nearing him, then cast the fly 
 over him once or twice without actually allowing it 
 or the line to touch the water ; thus his attention is 
 attracted, and when at the next cast it does fall, he is on 
 it like a knife, and should there be a few fish lying 
 together there probably will be keen competition. 
 
 This makes rather pretty fishing and many a chub 
 may fall a victim to it before breakfast on a hot misty 
 summer's morning, after which those remaining will 
 retire to safer strongholds. 
 
 Many anglers put a few gentles on the tail of the 
 hook; but this is dirty work, and detracts from the 
 pleasure of fly-fishing pure and simple ; but no doubt 
 they afford an additional attraction. Another plan is 
 to whip at the tail of the hook a piece of white kid ; 
 this has much the same effect and has the advantage 
 of being cleaner. Gentles are not pleasant companions, 
 especially on a hot summer day, and the odour they 
 impart to the hands and rod can easily be dispensed 
 with. 
 
 The addition of the white kid or gentles is said to 
 make the bait represent the real larva in a transitory 
 stage, but as neither bee nor caterpillar has much to 
 do with white eggs or empty cases at those periods of 
 their existence, it may be that the conspicuous white 
 lump gives the additional attraction. 
 
 Green, black, and red palmers are considered the 
 correct flies for chub ; we prefer the latter dressed 
 with gold tinsel rib and butt ; sea-trout flies are also
 
 142 SY HOOK AND BY CKOOE. 
 
 good killers ; but we prefer a bee to all of them, 
 dressed with ordinary drake wings, and the body 
 in four joints, the uppermost of peacock harl, and the 
 three lower ones in equal divisions of red, orange, and 
 white fluffy wool, the latter taking the place of the 
 white kid. 
 
 The chub has an expanding leathery mouth, which 
 seldom parts with the hook when once it has taken 
 hold ; but for cooking purposes he is well nigh useless, 
 his flesh being of about the same consistency as cotton- 
 wool. 
 
 We recollect, while staying at a quiet spot near 
 Pangbourne, hooking a big chub lying in a deep hole 
 surrounded by bushes, through which with the greatest 
 difficulty we managed to insert the top of the rod. We 
 danced the fly on the surface of the pool and the chub 
 took it, then with the slightest possible strike -we hooked 
 him. What to do next was a puzzle, as the little pool, 
 scarce the size of a wash-hand basin, was lined with 
 snags which barred the one outlet to the main stream, 
 through which he would evidently attempt to pass so 
 soon as he should find himself under restraint. 
 
 We remained concealed amongst the bushes and 
 called for a friend with the landing-net, keeping the 
 line quite slack; meanwhile the fish remained quiet, 
 apparently unaware that he was tethered, and appeared 
 to take no notice of the body of the fly protruding 
 from his jaws. 
 
 The landing-net was threaded through the bushes to
 
 CHUS-FISHING ON THE THAMES. (FLY.) 143 
 
 the edge of the pool, then we hauled hard on the fish, 
 who was into the net and out on the bank before he 
 knew it. 
 
 The chub fights hard at first, but soon gives in, 
 coming to hand like a log ; yet fly-fishing for him is not 
 entirely to be despised. 
 
 For the first two or three weeks of the season, chub 
 may be found feeding among the weeds upon shallows in 
 mid-stream, but he soon deserts such feeding- grounds 
 for less disturbed quarters. 
 
 While fishing under such conditions with a red palmer 
 we have frequently hooked and landed good-sized perch.
 
 [ 144 ] 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 MAY-FLY FISHING. 
 
 WITH a few days' leisure at our disposal at about the 
 end of May, we persuaded a friend to join in a fishing- 
 excursion to Derbyshire, intending to try our luck on 
 the Wye and Derwent, and see how those rivers com- 
 pared with others of our acquaintance, likewise the 
 style of fishing in vogue there. 
 
 We arrived at Rowsley about 6 P.M., and by the 
 time we got settled down it was nearly 7 ; so, as fishing 
 is prohibited after 8, we agreed to content ourselves with 
 a saunter along the banks of the Wye, which flows within 
 a few yards of the Peacock Inn, well known to tourists 
 and anglers alike. 
 
 The stretch of the Wye we intended to fish was up- 
 stream from Rowsley to Bake well, a distance of over 
 three miles very nearly four by road, and quite half as 
 long again by the waterside. 
 
 The river meanders through grass meadows for this 
 distance, passing in its serpentine course at the foot of 
 Haddon Hall, which may have been constructed by a 
 previous generation to afford amusement to anglers
 
 NAY-FLY FISHING. 145 
 
 should the water be out of order. From all accounts 
 the old place is well worth a visit; but as we have 
 hitherto been lucky with the water, we cannot speak 
 from experience. 
 
 To judge by the picture so familiar to us all, sport in 
 the olden times must have been fine in the vicinity of 
 Haddon finer than at the present clay ; at all events as 
 far as fishing is concerned, for in the picture the fish 
 appear to be of salmon-size. Perhaps they have dete- 
 riorated in this respect, or, may be, painters, like poets 
 and occasionally anglers, require (a) licence. 
 
 The portion of the Wye which runs through Rowsley 
 itself is known as Rowsley Meadows, and is preserved 
 by His Grace the Duke of Rutland as private water; 
 the remainder can be fished, free of charge, by anglers 
 staying at the "Peacock," Rowsley, or the "Rutland 
 Arms," Bakewell ; others can fish by ticket at the 
 rate of 2s. 6d. per day : so anglers will agree that they 
 have much for which to thank His Grace. 
 
 The Wye is fishable in this manner from both banks, 
 and runs into the Derwent about a quarter of a mile 
 below Rowsley Bridge. 
 
 The Wye contains trout and grayling, the former 
 running to the weight of 4 Ib. apiece, so we have 
 heard tell ; but our experience was not so good, as the 
 sequel will show. 
 
 The grayling we chanced to land while trout-fishing 
 were good-sized fish say, on an average of 8 or 9 oz. ; 
 but as they, during our various visits, were either j usi; 
 
 L
 
 ] 46 BY ROOK AND EY CEOOE. 
 
 in or out of season, no great reliance should be placed 
 upon this experience. 
 
 The conditions upon which the tickets are granted 
 only admit of the use of the artificial fly, and no wading 
 is allowed. This is as it should be, as with a single- 
 handed rod of 12 feet the angler can command the 
 stream, and even if he could command only half of the 
 water from either bank the admission of wading would 
 certainly ruin the fishing. 
 
 The Wye runs through a limestone country, and is 
 seldom out of order, as the milky colour it obtains after 
 rain soon fines down ; whereas the Derwent conies down 
 very red, and takes a day or two to get into order. 
 
 The watersheds of the two rivers, although adjacent 
 to each other, must be very different from a geologist's 
 point of view. 
 
 The Derwent in this district runs through the pro- 
 perty of His Grace the Duke of Devonshire, to whom 
 the thanks of anglers are due for permission to fish by 
 ticket granted to visitors at the Edensor Hotel, Chats- 
 worth, about two miles from Rowsley Station, or to 
 those staying at the Peacock at Baslow, a couple of 
 miles further on both most comfortable hostelries. 
 
 Minnow, and bait-fishing are both recognized on the 
 Derwent. Waders are allowed and necessary, as the 
 river is wide ; but leggings suffice. 
 
 The local flies, which differ from the ordinary species 
 generally known to anglers, are called "bumbles." 
 They are hackle-flies of various colours, and can be
 
 MAT-FLT FISHING. 147 
 
 purchased of keepers on the estates : they must be 
 good killers, or else they would not be persevered with ; 
 but personally we have had more success with floating 
 flies. 
 
 We have visited the district in various seasons of the 
 year, and delight in it, as no doubt do our American 
 cousins, who never miss putting in a day at the " Pea- 
 cock " or the " Edensor," so as to do Haddon Hall and 
 Chatsworth House, in order to complete their education 
 as regards the Midlands. They do the lot in a morning 
 see, and can say they have seen; but they know 
 nothing of the beautiful country. 
 
 To wander along the Wye in June is like viewing a 
 rose-garden through a magnifying-glass, the hawthorn- 
 blossom creating a fairy scene which could hardly be 
 excelled by Titania herself, so daintily do the pink 
 bouquets contrast with the white. 
 
 It seems strange, and yet we are asked to believe by 
 certain agitators that the House should be abolished 
 which claims among its members men who lay open 
 such lands as these for the benefit of us all ! 
 
 We had set off to this country without advice, so were 
 all the more pleased to find, during our evening stroll, 
 that the water was in order and the drake already out, 
 although the trout, as is always the case during the first 
 few days of the rise, were not duly recognizing them as 
 an article of food. So the swallows were making hay 
 while the sun shone. 
 
 What a delicacy must be the green drake, with his
 
 148 SY HOOK AND !BF CEOOK. 
 
 succulent juicy body 1 One would think that the 
 delights of the previous season's feast would leave such 
 reminiscences as to ensure the trout's immediate recog- 
 nition of him upon his appearance each successive 
 season. But it is not so ; why, a guess will be hazarded 
 later on. 
 
 The swallows, on the other hand, give the flies no 
 law ; and the angler is apt to begrudge the birds their 
 meal, as they rob the fish of the food hatched out of 
 their own special element ; but Nature no doubt pro- 
 vides sufficient for both. It is a pretty sight to watch 
 the swallows dart along in swooping course, picking up 
 the flies so neatly as they go ; and when now and again 
 they make for the angler's artificial bait, they, except 
 upon the rarest occasions, discover their error almost 
 as soon as it is committed. 
 
 The birds appear to grasp the drake across the body, 
 whereas the trout would appear to take them head fore- 
 most, so it seems to us ; and to this habit may perhaps 
 be assigned the cause of the artificial fly so frequently 
 missing the trout's jaws, the shank of the hook being 
 so very long. 
 
 We have seen a trout take the artificial drake two or 
 three times in as many successive casts, and on striking 
 have felt the fish each time, but the hook has come 
 away, evidently without having pricked him. 
 
 So long as the angler keeps out of sight it is 
 remarkable how voracious trout are during the drake 
 season, as, even after having been disappointed in a
 
 GREEN DRAKE 
 
 GREY DRAKE 
 
 EMPTY CASE
 
 MAT-FLY FISHING. 149 
 
 case such as above mentioned, a few minutes' rest is 
 sufficient to restore confidence. 
 
 On these rivers the drake makes its appearance 
 towards the end of the first week in June, but the date 
 varies a few days in accordance with the character of 
 the season. The rise may be said to last about ten 
 days, what is called the great rise taking place after 
 the middle of this period ; so it will be seen that the 
 angler cannot afford to be many days late. 
 
 ]\veu at this season, on the rivers under discussion, 
 the angler must not expect under ordinary circum- 
 stances a very large bag ; but by fishing carefully and 
 well, keeping low down on the bank nigh out of the 
 fishes' line of sight, a nice bag should be obtained of 
 really good-size trout, and at all events he will be 
 satisfied that his success has been well deserved. We 
 should call seven or eight brace of fish a good bag ; and 
 at this season they should average f lb., perhaps rather 
 more. 
 
 The drake forms food for trout during at least three 
 stages of its latter existence firstly, as he ascends with 
 closed wings from the bed of the river to the water's 
 surface; secondly, when as the "pseudo-imago" he 
 shakes out his wings and flutters along, resting now 
 and again upon the surface ; and, lastly, when as the 
 " imago/' or perfect insect, he has cast off his overcoat, 
 assumes a stronger flight, and is able to propagate his 
 species. 
 
 Artificial flies are dressed to imitate the insect in
 
 1 50 ST HOOK AND BY CROOK. 
 
 these stages, the former of which should naturally be 
 fished " sunk/' while the two latter must be cast 
 "dry." 
 
 Allusion has been made at the commencement of 
 these notes to the small attention paid by trout to the 
 drake during the first day or two of his appearance 
 on the surface. This may be accounted for by the 
 fact of the fly being so much larger than those pre- 
 ceding it, which they are accustomed to regard as food ; 
 but may it not be that, while apparently apathetic, they 
 are in reality busy feeding on the yet imperfect insects 
 under water, which now and again draw their pursuers 
 to the surface and unfold the secret of their mysterious 
 change of dress ? 
 
 A bird in the hand is generally said to be worth two 
 in the bush ; but we are inclined to think that a trout, 
 especially if he chanced to be a gourmet, would prefer 
 a drake in the air to two grubs below water. 
 
 The sunken fly, no doubt, is a very killing bait at the 
 commencement of the rise ; and in this district many 
 will even continue with it all through. But when the 
 rise is general we have always done more execution with 
 the floating pattern, and it certainly can claim to be a 
 prettier and more interesting style of fishing. 
 
 The angler had better provide himself before leaving 
 home with patterns of the sunken fly, green drake, and 
 grey drake (which imitates the imago or spent fly) ; 
 also with a few red spinners of largish size, dressed with 
 rib of fine gold tinsel, which will be found a capital
 
 MAT-FLY FISHIXff. 151 
 
 change fly when the drake is on, especially towards 
 evening. He should also be provided with stout 
 shooting-boots and leggings, as the long grass holds 
 gallons of water. 
 
 We remained a week at the Peacock, and managed to 
 get nice bags each day, which were disposed of at 
 breakfast and dinner. The Wye trout, being of a deep 
 pink, are as good to eat as to catch. 
 
 The best morning's work we had opened with a thick 
 atmosphere and drizzling rain ; but the sun shortly 
 cleared it off. Then the fun began, and we killed 
 5 1 brace to one rod in the course of an hour and a half, 
 the fish being all over f lb., some 1 lb., and two of 1^ lb. 
 each. 
 
 Some years ago we produced an artificial drake of 
 our own design, which has proved an excellent killer, 
 and for the benefit of our readers we will now describe 
 it: 
 
 Hook. May-fly hook, size to fancy; we like about 
 
 f ths of an inch in length. File the shank as thin 
 
 as possible without leaving it too weak, and whip 
 
 on a strand of stout trout-gut. 
 
 Tail. Two fibres of cock-pheasant tail tied on so as to 
 
 separate out from each other. 
 
 Body. A piece of india-rubber tubing, of the size used 
 to make the stems of artificial flowers for ladies' 
 hats. It can be obtained in several shades, the 
 pale yellowy green being perhaps the best for this 
 purpose.
 
 152 ST HOOK AND ST CEOOK. 
 
 To dress the body : Cut off about 2 inches of the 
 tubing, thread it on the gut down to the hook, whip 
 it securely to the hook over the joint of the tail- 
 feathers, and varnish, leaving the long end of silk 
 for future use. Next insert the nozzle of a pair of 
 small bellows into the open end of the india-rubber 
 tube, stretch the tube slightly, and inject sufficient 
 air to swell it ; then whip securely at shoulder with 
 waxed silk (leaving space at head of hook for 
 shoulder-hackle and wings), and varnish. Next 
 take the end of silk left hanging at the tail, and with 
 it make three or four half-hitches at equal distances 
 along the body, keeping the silk connecting the 
 hitches along the back of the fly. This will fairly 
 imitate the sections in the natural fly. "With the 
 end of the silk secure the 
 Shoulder-hackle, of blue Andalusian cock's hackle, 
 
 whipped on in the ordinary way. 
 
 Wings. Two unbarred feathers of the Canadian Wood- 
 Duck, whipped on back to back ; then varnish. 
 This completes the pattern. 
 
 The wings must not be cut or trimmed, but 
 only stripped of down. 
 
 Wood-Duck feathers are just about the right tint for 
 the wings, and the matter of cost is the only excuse for 
 the use of dyed feathers as substitutes, and we prefer 
 feathers to any substance yet employed for this purpose. 
 Dyed Mallard feathers are always too yellow or too 
 green, and the Egyptian Goose feather is too stiff in the
 
 MAY- FLY FISHING. 1 53 
 
 fibre and of a wrong tint ; the feathers also are generally 
 too large, so they have to be trimmed with scissors, 
 which is a serious objection, as by this process the 
 edge of the feather, being deprived of its natural fine 
 fringe, soon sinks in the water. 
 
 Dyed feathers should always be avoided in dressing 
 floating flies, for chemicals are employed to extract the 
 natural oil, in order to allow the dye to bite, and by 
 this process the feather, which in its natural state 
 repels water, is converted into a species of sponge; 
 secondly, dyes never produce such a good tint as is found 
 in natural feathers. 
 
 The cost of a Canadian Wood-Duck is about 20s. dead 
 or alive, which contains enough unbarred feathers to last 
 a lifetime ; while the black and white barred feathers 
 are in great demand for salmon-flies, selling in the 
 tackle-shops at from 3d. to 6d. apiece. 
 
 Tt should be remembered that the feathers of water- 
 fowl, when on the live bird, are dressed with an oily 
 liquid ; so feathers from lately-killed birds are best for 
 dressing drakes. When the feathers have been some 
 time dead, or the fly has had much use, the natural oil 
 will be lost, and the fly not float so well in consequence; 
 so the angler had better replace it artificially. For this 
 purpose a small piece of flannel soaked with oil can be 
 attached to the coat-button, upon which the angler may 
 now and again pass his finger previous to preening the 
 wings ; or should he by chance be in the'habit of dressing 
 his own locks with a lubricant, the flannel may be dis-
 
 154 BY HOOK AND ST CEOOK. 
 
 pensed with. The length of gut to which the fly is 
 whipped should be looped at the other end, likewise the 
 extremity of the cast, so that the fly may be changed 
 without loss of time, as even with all precautions it will 
 soon become saturated ; so it is as well to keep a couple 
 of changes stuck in the cap. The drake hatched out at 
 mid-day is larger and fatter than the produce of early 
 morn and afternoon. 
 
 N.B. As this is a tourist district, it is as well to secure 
 rooms in advance; and care should be taken not to 
 injure the hay-grass. Some mills have been erected 
 since our visit, to the angler's disadvantage. 
 
 LARVA OF MAY FLY.
 
 [ 155 ] 
 
 CHAPTEE XXII. 
 
 A LUCKY HASTES HOLIDAY. 
 
 FINDING ourselves in the North of England at this 
 season, we arranged with a brother angler to spend the 
 holiday-time together in a salmon-fishing expedition on 
 one of the Solway rivers ; so the kits were packed ready 
 for the couple of hours' railway-journey on the morrow, 
 and tackle generally overhauled. 
 
 The prospect was certainly not encouraging, as four 
 inches of snow lay in the streets and the hills around 
 were clothed in white. However, we determined to 
 carry out our plans, hoping that, as the district to be 
 visited was upon the opposite side of the country, 
 matters meteorological might there be more favourable. 
 
 It is often no easy matter to ascertain at short notice 
 the condition of a river some miles distant ; but should 
 the angler be conversant with the geography of the 
 course and watershed of a rjver, he may frequently gain 
 some information from the weather reports of the 
 training-grounds published in the daily sporting papers, 
 and upon this occasion we were cheered up a bit while 
 reading in ' The Sportsman ' that the training-grounds
 
 156 BY ROOK AND BY CEOOK. 
 
 situated in the district which formed the watershed of 
 our river were as yet un visited by snow or rain. 
 
 As we sped due westward our spirits rose ; for gra- 
 dually the snow decreased, until upon Hearing our 
 destination the country was quite open and bore no 
 trace of it. In fact, upon our arrival we found rather 
 the reverse state of affairs, the river being somewhat low, 
 but of a good colour. 
 
 We learned that during the previous week fair sport 
 had been obtained, but since then the water had become 
 too fine and no fish had been landed. However, we had 
 to make the most of our few days, so after dinner put 
 the tackle in order and packed our bags ready for an 
 early start next morning, firmly resolved that if sticking 
 to it would be of any use we should be right in it. 
 
 By getting up and breakfasting by candle-light, we 
 managed to arrive soon after daybreak at the pool which 
 started the fishing, about a mile from our quarters, and 
 were pleased to find the water at the right height and 
 in good order. The river here was divided by an island 
 into two streams of unequal width, our stream, although 
 by far the narrower, affording the passage for running 
 fish, while that beyond the island was wide and shallow, 
 with much broken water and thin runs, forming happy 
 hunting-grounds for the trout-fisher. 
 
 Our pool was about 100 yards long, but was unfishable 
 from the mainland on account of the alder and ash trees 
 which lined the bank ; so to fish it we waded across the 
 foot of the stream on to the island, no very easy feat
 
 A LUCKY EASTEE HOLIDAY. 157 
 
 at this height of water, and we wondered, in the event of 
 landing a fish, how to get him across the stream. 
 
 The casting, even from the island, was far from 
 easy, as, in most parts, the stream was too deep to 
 wade, and where this was practicable the bottom was 
 abominably rough and the high banks covered with 
 overgrown whins, with an alder tree introduced here 
 and there, just to break the monotony of casting. 
 
 The saving clause was the width of the stream, 
 which could be commanded by a medium length 
 of cast, and ran SAviftly to a depth of from six to 
 nine feet over a rocky bed studded here and there 
 with rough boulders, affording shelters for the fish. 
 
 Such a combination as this was certain to be selected 
 by salmon as a residence after having ascended the 
 swift run below ; and such it was known to be as regards 
 spring fish yet, curiously enough, was not a favourite 
 with anglers, probably on account of the natural diffi- 
 culties it presented, or may be the impossibility of casting 
 a long line, which appears to deprive many of a certain 
 satisfaction. 
 
 A spin of the coin ordered us oft' to the island, whilst 
 our friend commenced fishing the pool below, a light 
 breeze having sprung up to clear off the morning mist, 
 for the night had been sharpened by frost. 
 
 We waded in as best we could above the two big alder 
 trees, and began casting down until opposite to them ; 
 then were obliged to resort to switching, and the wading 
 was so rough that at any moment one might have been
 
 158 BY HOOK AND ST CROCS'. 
 
 up to the neck in water, and had we not seen a fish rise 
 within reach we should have got out on to the bank. 
 However, as luck would have it, he came at the fly 
 with a rush the first time over, and was evidently fairly 
 hooked. 
 
 We were in a pretty fix, as we could not get out, the 
 bank being too high ; nor could we get back, by reason 
 of the heavy stream, while the increased depth of the 
 water barred further progress. But, fortunately, by the 
 time the fish was played out our friend had crossed, 
 and soon slipped the net under a fish of 22 lb., and a 
 " fresh 'un." 
 
 During the process of playing the fish two or three 
 others had popped up close by ; so, as we seemed to have 
 " struck oil," we begged our friend to take up our rod 
 (he having left his on the opposite bank) while we 
 smoked a pipe. 
 
 He, however, in a sportsmanlike spirit, preferred to 
 continue with his own rod and pool ; but hardly had he 
 reached the middle of the river ere our shout arrested 
 his progress, when he good-naturedly returned and 
 landed for us a fish of 8 lb., which unfortunately turned 
 out to be a kelt or " old *un," as they are termed in 
 these parts, which was duly returned to his native 
 element. 
 
 In this river the term fc old 'un " implies something 
 other than a fresh-run fish, and includes the kelt or 
 spawned fish, also what they term a " cock-fish," a class 
 of salmon weighing just about 8 lb., which, they main-
 
 A LUCKY EASTER HOLIDAY. 159 
 
 tain, follows the spawning fish from the sea up the 
 river in late autumn, to return the following spring 
 without having spawned. 
 
 It may be that they are merely barren fish, but it 
 seems odd the peculiarity should only exist amongst 
 fish of about this weight. 
 
 They are not so lean-bellied nor have they the 
 general appearance of a kelt, nor can any remains of 
 milt be exuded from them by pressure of the fingers, as 
 can generally be done with the kelt. 
 
 By the shape of the head they are he- fish, and are 
 immediately recognized by both net- and rod-fishers on 
 account of their bright tin-coloured appearance, which 
 differs vastly from the silver of the fresh-run fish and 
 the dirty colour of the kelt, which has not yet had time 
 to become " well-mended " before the " cock-fish " quit 
 the river by the end of March or, at latest, during the 
 first week of April. 
 
 To continue. Having netted two fish, our friend 
 was now persuaded to take up the rod and try his luck, 
 while we should wade across for his ; but this time it 
 was our turn to do a bit of the net business, as at his 
 second cast as soon as the fly fell on the surface he 
 hooked a big 'un, which gave a real sporting show and 
 eventually paid the penalty to the tune of 23 Ib. It 
 took about half an hour's play to kill, as he could not 
 well indulge in long runs by reason of the narrowness 
 of the pool. 
 
 Two fresh fish and a kelt in about ten casts was
 
 160 BY HOOK AND EY CHOOK. 
 
 warm work indeed, but it was not to be the total, for 
 as we were pitching the line into the stream to set the 
 fly straight after taking it from the fish's jaw, we 
 hooked a fourth in the very spot where the others had 
 been played. 
 
 From the glimpse we had of him he appeared to be 
 of about 6 Ib. weight, so we treated him in a summary 
 manner, and, giving him no law, had him on the bank 
 in double quick time, and were surprised to see him 
 turn the steel-yard at 10 Ib. This made the bag up 
 to three fresh fish and one " old 'un " returned not a 
 bad morning's work, or day's work as it eventually 
 proved to be, for although we stuck hard at it until 
 7 P.M., not another could we tempt. 
 
 During the night rain fell, which with, the melted 
 snow it brought down from the hills caused the river 
 to rise some eight inches, and at the same time coloured 
 it to such an extent that the following day fishing was 
 out of the question : one day wasted. 
 
 The next day, being the third of our visit, the water 
 was still coloured ; but, in spite of all native advice, we 
 made up our minds to give it a trial in the afternoon, 
 and with that object despatched a boat by cart to a 
 pool about six miles lower down, which seemed on the 
 face of it rather a foolish design, as naturally the lower 
 water would take longer to clear, but, in consideration 
 of the local prophecy, we really had little hope of sport, 
 and the boat would at all events be ready for the 
 morrow.
 
 A LUCKY EASTER HOLIDAY. 161 
 
 So we started off to walk down the river-side, timing 
 ourselves to hit off the boat's arrival at the pool ; and, 
 sure enough, as we were stowing away sandwiches with 
 a nip of the neat, she hove in sight (we believe this is 
 the correct nautical term, but are not quite certain 
 if it be applicable to a boat perched on the top of a 
 farm-cart) over the brow of the hill, or, better still, on 
 the " horizon," whence she soon found her way into 
 the water, merely protesting against such informal 
 treatment by giving us an insight into the peculiar 
 properties of tar. 
 
 This stretch of water is the beau ideal of a salmon- 
 pool, and is capable of being fished all the way down 
 by standing on or wading from the bank ; but to cast 
 the middle and far side a boat is required, and when 
 both these methods are employed it easily affords a 
 whole day's fishing. The pool is over a hundred yards 
 long, with a heavy stream at the head, gradually de- 
 creasing in force until it subsides into a good swift run 
 to the foot, setting conveniently towards the side, which 
 can be nicely waded. 
 
 From beyond this main current the water runs at a 
 good pace to within a few yards of the opposite bank, 
 where it gets thinner and affords capital fishing when 
 other portions are too big. 
 
 The bottom of the pool is broken up here and there 
 by large stones and boulders, forming resting-places for 
 the fish, their positions being indicated by swirls on
 
 162 
 
 BY ROOK AXD BY CKOOK. 
 
 the surface, except in low water, when a stranger would 
 hardly notice their existence. 
 
 From the head to two thirds the distance down the 
 pool the water runs to a depth of from six to nine feet ; 
 but at the lower end it is much deeper, covering 
 huge boulders of rock, which eventually raise their 
 heads to within a few feet of the surface, forming a 
 natural masonry towards the construction of the pool 
 below. 
 
 There are two or three trees on the bank sufficient 
 to give zest to the casting, but beyond these obstacles 
 there is nothing but a few pollarded willows towards 
 the end of the pool. 
 
 Now there is a correct and an incorrect method of 
 fishing this, as there is most pools, and when we had it 
 undisturbed to ourselves we liked to cast it well down 
 from the bank to commence with, as frequently fish lay 
 close in to the side ; then it could be waded down from 
 the same bank, after which we would get into the boat 
 and have it rowed across to the opposite bank, selecting 
 a course which should as little as possible disturb the 
 best catches. 
 
 Having attained the opposite bank we would first 
 take a beat close in shore, then row up again and take 
 another beat, and then a third, by which time the fly 
 should have passed over the head of every fish in the 
 pool, the system being very similar to that which a 
 man should adopt in shooting a turnip-field over a 
 brace of pointers, the chief difference being that,
 
 A LUCKY EASTER HOLIDAY. 16-3 
 
 whereas the angler would regard the stream, the gunner 
 would the wind, and possibly his march . 
 
 As upon this occasion there were two of us, we 
 started with the bank fishing, our friend with that 
 from the boat ; but although we both did all we knew, 
 neither got a touch or saw any signs of a fish, and as 
 the water was very thick we began to think that the 
 local advice would turn out sound after all, so we could 
 only console ourselves with the reflection that we 
 should have done no better had we remained in 
 quarters. 
 
 By this time it was about half-past four and not a 
 fish showing, so we sat down behind a big whin-bush 
 for the wind was blowing cold smoked the pipe of 
 peace and drank the whisky of Scotland. 
 
 Getting tired of inactivity, just for a change our 
 brother angler took a turn at the wading, while we 
 jumped into the boat, and had fished carefully (giving 
 the fly plenty of time to sink in the thick water) down 
 to about halfway, when we at last were greeted with 
 the only form of handshake a fish can give, and, upon 
 responding with the rod, were pleased to find that 
 there was every probability of the acquaintance being 
 a lengthy one. 
 
 He evidently was a good fish lured from " yon big 
 stanes," and was not long in forming the plan of cam- 
 paign, as he at once took a long run straight down 
 stream, then stopped, and as we could not haul him up 
 we dropped the boat back to him, when off he went again, 
 
 M 2
 
 164 VY HOOK AND BY CROOK. 
 
 repeating the same movement until at length he tired 
 himself out, enabling us to get ashore and net him a 
 fresh-run fish of 15 lb. ; that never showed a fin until 
 in the net, and game as a pebble to the last. 
 
 This fish did nothing but run. Our companion 
 really seemed to be dead out of luck, as no doubt he 
 must have cast very near to this fish, perhaps over him, 
 but had failed to rise him. 
 
 He now again took to the boat and fished the pool 
 down carefully, with again no result, returning to shore 
 somewhat disheartened, and as there remained but a 
 quarter of an hour before we should set off to catch 
 the train home, he decided to take off his waders and 
 give it up for the day. 
 
 More to fill up the time than with any idea of sport, 
 we said to our boatman, " Jump into the boat, Mat, 
 and we '11 just cast it down for ten minutes and get. a 
 fish to wind the day up properly ." 
 
 The said Mat was an excellent hand at working a 
 boat ; he didn't go too fast or too slow ; and so well 
 accustomed were the pair of us to fishing together that 
 we could cast the whole pool without exchanging a word, 
 while we drifted down casting over every lay of the fish. 
 
 At our suggestion he quickly took his seat in the 
 boat, and with a few strokes of the oars had her over 
 under the opposite bank just where the last fish had 
 taken; a few more holding-up strokes, when, just as 
 the fly was swinging round, bang came a fish at it, 
 hooking himself without much assistance on our part.
 
 A LUCKY EASTER HOLIDAY. 165 
 
 Being short of time, we held him very hard and gave 
 him no chance of running, so as an alternative he 
 took to jumping. Up he went time after time clean 
 out of the water, the line suspended in the air from 
 the tip of his nose to the rod-top; as he fell we were 
 obliged to give him a yard or so of line, but that was 
 all he got a real sporting fish and no mistake. 
 
 "We fully expected something to go every instant, so 
 hard were we with him ; however, by degrees the jumps 
 became less and less violent as he gradually gave in 
 to superior force, and eventually ranged himself along- 
 side his comrade in distress on the grassy bank, a 
 fish of 14 Ib. weight, the two making as nice a pair of 
 fresh-run springers as is often seen. 
 
 Twenty minutes had elapsed from the time we left 
 the bank, so it was a great bit of luck thus getting a 
 good fish, although we had to pay for it in the pace at 
 which we had to travel along the mile and a half to 
 the railway-station, to avoid a six-mile walk home. 
 
 But all's well that ends well, and we were somewhat 
 proud at having attained success in spite of the local 
 prophets, who were much surprised at our bit of sport, 
 yet offered unstinted congratulations. 
 
 Upon return to our quarters we found that another 
 angler had turned up, who joined us at dinner and 
 became terribly keen at the sight of the fish, and 
 entered into the discussion of the day's sport with as 
 much appreciation as if he had formed one of the party. 
 
 The reception accorded to an additional angler is
 
 166 BY HOOK AND T CSOOK. 
 
 often not of the most cordial nature, as, in the first 
 place, his appearance means an extra rod on the water ; 
 and when placed in this position, having to join a 
 party of friends at meals one feels as if intruding upon 
 them; but the natural sympathy existing among anglers 
 soon overcomes such little considerations and makes 
 all friends alike. 
 
 A few hundred yards above our quarters the river 
 comes tumbling over a high caul or " bay," as they term 
 it in these parts, then rests in a wide deep pool for a 
 while ere it continues its course over rough rocks and 
 boulders. In this pool may be counted scores of fish 
 waiting until the water may be sufficiently high or low 
 for them to journey up, for they cannot surmount it in 
 either extreme. 
 
 In the spring-time salmon appear to be in no great 
 haste to pass beyond this "bay/' and even in March many 
 of them are tinged with red, having perhaps been two 
 or three months in fresh water ; but they do not much 
 trouble the angler, being very bad takers, and so long 
 as they remain close up to the falls the law protects 
 them against the greedy net, which, however, can well 
 afford to bide its time, knowing full well that as 
 they gradually but surely become enfeebled by their 
 existence in fresh water, so they will one by one drop 
 back into its cruel meshes. 
 
 The fishermen in this district declare that most of the 
 fish which have not ascended this " bay " by the middle 
 of May drop back again to the sea, a distance of nearly
 
 A LUCKY EASTER HOLIDAY. 167 
 
 fifteen miles ; and although we much doubt the correct- 
 ness of their theory, we must admit that in the late spring 
 months the upper waters are not as fully tenanted as 
 one would expect judging from the numbers seen below 
 earlier in the season. 
 
 Upon arrival an angler is pretty sure to stroll up 
 to "the bay;" indeed, the w r ooded banks, lined with 
 avenues of lofty trees from which an army of squirrels 
 peer upon the intruder, taking good care to keep a solid 
 trunk between them and him, are more than sufficient 
 reward ; and when, upon arriving at the falls, he sees 
 the fish jumping in all directions, it is seldom that he 
 can resist fetching his rod, thinking that surely one 
 among the crowd may be obliging to a stranger. 
 
 Such ideas, backed up by local yarns of the capture 
 of enormous fish, had probably actuated our new friend, 
 for he spent the greater part of the day there, with 
 the usual amount of sport nil; however, he persevered 
 at various other times, and at length succeeded in 
 landing a fine fish of 18 lb., which he certainly de- 
 served. 
 
 This pool is always highly recommended by the 
 native attendants, who thoroughly appreciate its 
 proximity to the inn and its accompanying " pints." 
 
 At an early hour next morning we started on a five- 
 mile drive to the scene of our previous day's sport; 
 it was the first real spring day of the year, with a light 
 breeze from the north-east, and it was not long before 
 the waders were donned and the three of us started to
 
 168 BY HOOK AND BY CROOK. 
 
 work, our new friend taking the pool next higher up, 
 while we two reverted to our old tactics. 
 
 The water had fallen about three inches and was of 
 real good colour, and when our companion took to the 
 boat we thought it was good odds on him; however, 
 we were wrong again, as he fished it down without a 
 touch, so we took a turn at the boat, and it was almost 
 with feelings of regret that we hooked a fish in the 
 water he had just cast over. He was clearly well 
 hooked, and after one or two short runs contented 
 himself with jagging a few feet beneath the surface 
 until he exhausted himself, and registered 18 Ib. on the 
 scale. 
 
 We have seldom played a fish who so persistently 
 jagged at the line; but the rod held in both hands 
 clear of the body defied his efforts to escape. 
 
 It was remarkable that each of the three fish killed 
 in this pool had adopted a different method in his 
 attempt to escape the first having relied entirely upon 
 running, the second on jumping, and the last on 
 jagging at the line. 
 
 This proved to be our bag for the day, as not another 
 could we raise, although plenty of fish were showing ; 
 yet upon our return home we found we had done as 
 well as the others who had been out, and that was not 
 saying much. 
 
 Next day we retraced our steps and commenced 
 fishing the same pool, with a north-east wind blowing 
 a gale up stream ; indeed the wind was raising a minia-
 
 A LUCKY EASTER HOLIDAY. 169 
 
 ture sea, and it was only in between the blasts that a 
 fly could be made to drop on the surface. To give 
 some idea of the force of the drifts which swept down 
 the hill-sides, we, instead of holding the boat up to 
 prevent a too rapid progress down stream, were obliged 
 to face her down and pull against the gale in order to 
 make way : it was as wild a day as is good for fishing. 
 
 Well, we fished the pool without reward, then went 
 up and tried some others, thinking they might be more 
 sheltered ; but no, the gale visited all alike, and we were 
 just upon the point of giving it up, thinking that the 
 train was the only thing we were likely to catch, when 
 some idea prompted us to go down and give the bottom 
 pool just one final cast over, so as to give a certain 
 fish, which had several times risen, a last chance. 
 
 Now hitherto we had approached this fish at an 
 angle across the stream, so as not to row over others 
 lying above him ; but as this was the last drift of 
 the day no such caution was necessary, and perhaps 
 on this particularly wild day such considerations might 
 have been dismissed ; however, be that as it may, we 
 had barely cast down to him, when the rod-top bent 
 and we were fast into a fish of some sort. 
 
 He took one pull and then a semicircular run 
 clean across the pool, showing himself on the surface 
 a big, bright fish; indeed, the length and force of 
 his run elicited from our boatman, " He's a fresh 'un " ; 
 and we thought so too ; however, neither of us con- 
 tinued long of that opinion, as upon reaching the
 
 170 BY HOOK AND ST CROOK. 
 
 opposite bank he ploughed his way up stream almost 
 under the overhanging boughs, keeping to the slack 
 water. 
 
 We did not care much about this game, so reeled 
 up tight and gave it him hard, to which he replied 
 by a straight run down stream of at least 60 yards, 
 then suddenly stopped, rose to the surface and lashed 
 out, absolutely refusing to budge a yard in any 
 direction. 
 
 For the same reason as Mahomet, under certain cir- 
 cumstances, is said to have approached the mountain, 
 we dropped down to the fish, reeling up as we went, 
 and shortly netted a fine fish of 23 Ib. weight but, 
 alas ! a kelt ! so back to the water he went. 
 
 Neither of us was much disappointed, as his selection 
 of the slack water when a bit done had more than 
 raised our suspicions, and it was only on the off chance 
 that we continued operations in the orthodox manner. 
 This was an exceptionally well-mended fish, and in the 
 water appeared so bright that it was almost impossible 
 to accurately tell his condition ; the vent was small 
 and fairly flush with the belly line, and many a fresh 
 fish have we seen no better filled out; however, the 
 girth round the body across the vent, with the general 
 appearance of head and tail and absence of that blue- 
 green shade down the back, left no room for doubt, so 
 back he went into the pool, where he lay like a log 
 until, at length recovered, he sought the depths. 
 
 Kelts, more especially in late spring, are sometimes
 
 A LUCKY JE ASTER HOLIDAY. 171 
 
 so well mended that it is difficult for anyone not well 
 up in the subject to recognize them; but, although 
 pretty well filled out, they never entirely lose that lank 
 appearance which makes the depth of body across the 
 vent seem out of proportion to the rest of the frame, 
 the explanation of course being that the body round 
 about the vent is composed of organs and muscles, 
 which do not waste so much as the belly. 
 
 The expression " as bright as a new shilling " is 
 frequently applied to a fresh-run fish, but we think 
 inaptly, and would prefer to compare the flashy bright- 
 ness and absence of colour in the coin to the appear- 
 ance of a really well-mended kelt. 
 
 The appearance of freshwater maggots in the gills is 
 no sure test, as they may be also observed in unspawned 
 fish which have existed for some time in fresh water ; 
 but the disproportionate largeness of the head, which 
 does not waste, will always betray the kelt. 
 
 Should a kelt be felled (by mistake) his sides will 
 fall in shortly after death, making the lower portion of 
 his belly appear as the keel of a boat. 
 
 This was the best kelt we ever landed, and, unfor- 
 tunately, concluded a bad day's sport in a gale. 
 
 This pool had now received a pretty good doing, so 
 the following morning we were up betimes to try the 
 top end of the fishing, commencing at an open pool 
 with a fast run in the centre ; but as in an hour or so 
 we only hooked a couple of kelts, which fortunately 
 got off, we took a walk down stream and left it,
 
 172 BY HOOK AND BY CSOOF. 
 
 thinking perhaps its occupants were all of the same 
 nature. 
 
 The next pool we came to was only accessible by the 
 descent of a huge sandstone cliff literally covered with 
 trees and undergrowth, which would evidently take a 
 good deal of precious time to negotiate : we looked at 
 it twice, and as there only appeared to be about twenty 
 yards of casting, by reason of the trees, we made up 
 our minds to miss it out, until it occurred to us that in all 
 probability others were in the habit of doing the same ; 
 therefore the pool was very likely never fished, so we 
 made a dive through the woods to the foot of the rock. 
 
 Awkward as this pool looked from above, it was ten 
 times worse in reality the water at the base of the 
 rock flowed thigh deep, the bottom most uneven and 
 apparently unfathomable in most places, while branches 
 of the trees growing on the bank protruded over the 
 fast-running stream. 
 
 It certainly was a dangerous pool, and as we medi- 
 tated that even if we were to hook a fish it would be 
 long odds against landing him, were very nearly giving 
 it up, and probably would have done so had we not 
 recalled the trouble experienced in reaching it, which 
 decided us to give it a cast down. 
 
 Overhand casting was out of the question, so we 
 switched it as well as the boughs and deep water would 
 permit. When about halfway down a fish took the 
 fly at the edge of the swirl and made straight away 
 into the deep water, where he remained stationary for
 
 A LUCKY EASTER HOLIDAY. 173 
 
 a while, until a change seemed to him desirable, when 
 he came in just under the rod point and took a dive 
 straight down to the bottom, running out about twenty 
 yards of line. 
 
 We could only conjecture as to his whereabouts, but, 
 on account of the boulders which jutted out below, 
 thought it best not to be too hard on him at first ; but 
 as he gave way we soon landed him, a fish of 9 Ib. 
 weight only, but better than nothing at all. 
 
 We foolishly had left the net with our man before 
 descending the cliff, so lost time while he climbed along 
 to a spot from which he could drop it down to us. 
 
 He was a fresh-run fish, and, although small, fought 
 gamely ; the surroundings also made his capture accept- 
 able. 
 
 We then moved up to a pool which was netted regu- 
 larly ; but at the lower end the presence of a large flat 
 reef of rock some depth below the surface prohibited 
 such devices, flanked as it was on either side by similar 
 projections from the banks. The narrow guts so formed 
 on either side of the reef allowed the fish to exist 
 without annoyance from drift-net or coracle, and when 
 hooked by rod and line materially assisted their escape. 
 
 We were soon rewarded with a tug, and away he went 
 with the bit in his teeth, fortunately clear of the rocks, 
 and in the most obliging manner possible kept to the 
 open water, where he was shortly killed a fresh-run fish 
 of 18 Ib. ; and, as it turned out, we were rather lucky 
 to get him, as the hook had the most slender of holds
 
 1 74 BY HOOK AND BY CEOOK. 
 
 and fell out while the fish was in the net ; but when 
 one's in luck nothing can go wrong. 
 
 To finish up, we continued casting down towards the 
 middle of the pool to a spot where we had seen a fresh 
 fish repeatedly rise on the previous day (when walking 
 home), standing on tip-toe, throwing a very long line 
 in order to cover him. At the second cast he dashed 
 at the fly, which unfortunately came away, in all pro- 
 bability on account of our being late in striking by 
 reason of the long line. One taste of the steel was 
 sufficient for him, so we gave up for the day and a long 
 hard day it was ; but there's nothing like a tramp along 
 the waterside if one wants to thoroughly enjoy that 
 bit of hillside mutton and cock one's legs on the 
 mantle-shelf after dinner while smoking the pipe of 
 peace with " whisky " \ it is preferable to " honour " on 
 such occasions what think ye, anglers ? 
 
 The weather, which latterly had been rough and 
 boisterous, had calmed down by this, our last day, 
 the warm west wind and hot sun bringing out the 
 March browns in quantities, as if they were determined 
 to make a good show on this their first appearance, 
 as far as we had observed. 
 
 While putting on waders at the foot of the first pool 
 a fish rose, so we went for him and hooked him at the 
 third or fourth cast, at the edge of the fast-running water. 
 
 We held him lightly while threading our way through 
 the rough stones to the bank, then gave it to him pretty 
 hard, which sent him off, tearing the line from the reel ;
 
 A LUCKY EASTER HOLIDAY. 175 
 
 he next doubled quickly back, and before we could reel 
 in the slack or run back, the fly came away and he 
 was gone. 
 
 He showed rather yellow on the belly and had pro- 
 bably been up since early spring ; nevertheless, as he was 
 undoubtedly a fresh fish, we were sorry the acquaintance 
 was so short. 
 
 This apparently turned our luck, as we did not get 
 another pull, so ended our day and Easter holiday, one 
 of the most enjoyable that has fallen to our lot. 
 
 Now and again when fish would not take the fly we 
 tried them with a boiled salted prawn, rigged up on 
 regular prawn tackle, but beyond getting a gaunt trout 
 of 2 Ib. could make neither head nor tail of them, so 
 gave it up as a failure, and made up our mind not to 
 be bothered with them again. 
 
 One day, while casting in swift water flowing over a 
 rocky bed, the fly was taken ; we made sure it was a 
 fish at first, but soon perceived it was something smaller, 
 for he soon lay on the surface without showing an ounce 
 of fight ; he turned out to be a chub (or skelly as they 
 are there called) of 2 Ib. weight, of which many exist 
 in the flat reaches bordered by clay banks ; he must 
 have lost his way, for chub, as a rule, are not great 
 explorers. 
 
 During the greater part of this outing we experienced 
 very rough weather, what is locally termed the " helm 
 wind " having been prevalent. This is an east wind 
 which causes a bank of dark clouds to form in a direc-
 
 176 BY HOOK AND BY CROOK. 
 
 tion due north and south, extending many miles. This 
 cloud- bank remains for a period of either three, seven, 
 or ten days stationary over head until the wind changes, 
 when it instantly breaks up. In the valleys this wind 
 is boisterous enough in all conscience, but on the fells 
 it forms a whirlwind and frequently lifts ricks and 
 sheep as if they were scraps of paper ; in fact when 
 the wind makes its appearance the flocks are generally 
 driven down from the fells to escape its violence. 
 
 We like an east wind for salmon-fishing, for it has 
 generally given us sport, especially in the spring-time ; 
 and the wilder and rougher the weather, the more we 
 like it for catching fish. 
 
 In the autumn it is rather a different matter, as apart 
 from the question of the fish taking, a wind is pretty 
 certain to bring down the leaves in such numbers as to 
 ruin any chance of sport, and frequently we have been 
 obliged to desist from this cause alone ; they are as 
 great a nuisance to the angler in autumn as kelts are 
 in spring fishing ; it is difficult to decide which is the 
 worse perhaps the former, as it is impossible to avoid 
 them.
 
 [ 177 ] 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 A WILD GOOSE CHASE. 
 
 HAPPENING to find ourselves in Limerick one spring- 
 time we were persuaded by a friend to pass a couple of 
 spare days at Lisdoon Varna, with the idea of killing 
 time and possibly getting an odd bit of trouting, so 
 accordingly we took train to Ennis and then a long 
 drive, eventually reaching our destination with a keen 
 desire for food and drink. 
 
 Lisdoon Varna is celebrated for its sulphur-waters 
 and its corkscrew road ; the former attracts a large 
 number of visitors, who are obliged to climb the latter 
 in order to partake of this particular form of nastiness, 
 which, at the time of our visit, was meted out to them 
 by a most excellent medico, who in his spare moments 
 dabbled a bit in science and had just fitted up in his 
 house a magnetic telephone, constructed by himself. 
 
 The hotel is really good and the fare provided quite 
 of the best, as also the whisky prescribed by our friend 
 the doctor, who kindly asked us to his house to spend 
 the latter portion of the evening, and instructed us 
 upon many subjects many thanks to him ! 
 
 Now Lisdoon Varna, when planning itself out, had 
 evidently decided that it must and should be only ap-
 
 178 VY HOOK AND BY CROOK. 
 
 preached by a corkscrew road, and accordingly, to secure 
 this individuality without being eccentric, had elected to 
 exist on the summit of a hill overlooking a country-side 
 which, at all events as far as the immediate neighbour- 
 hood is concerned, gave little promise to the tourist or 
 water-drinker of angling propensities. 
 
 In fact the district looked anything but fishy, but 
 after a lengthened consultation with our friend the 
 doctor, we took a more cheerful view of our condition 
 and came to the conclusion that we might possibly sur- 
 vive the next two days without ennui, for after having 
 (in the manner of eminent counsel) repeatedly urged 
 him to try to refresh his memory, he unearthed from 
 the depths of his knowledge-box the credited existence 
 of a small lake some few miles distant. The natives 
 apparently had not visited the lake for some years, and 
 were more than guarded in their statements as to its ex- 
 istence, hoping perhaps that such ignorance might cause 
 it to change into sulphur-springs or a corkscrew road. 
 
 What the lake had done to incur the hatred of the 
 inhabitants we could not tell, but no one, not even the 
 doctor, would give us information concerning it, for, in 
 reply to queries, he, in the most provoking manner, 
 would revert to the sulphur-springs; indeed, all we 
 could ascertain was that there had been a lake, likewise 
 a boat upon it, and that they both might be about five 
 miles off in a rather uncertain direction. 
 
 The following morning, in order to retain the good- 
 will of the natives, we duly paid homage to the two 
 patron saints of Lisdoon Varna, and felt, we must
 
 A WILD GOOSE CHASE. 179 
 
 confess, neither better nor worse for the penance, then, 
 as we were free to please ourselves, put rods and tackle 
 into a car and made off in the supposed direction of 
 the lake, trusting that, more by chance than the valu- 
 able information obtained, we might hit upon it before 
 the day was over. 
 
 We drove and drove, but no semblance of a lake 
 appeared, and after casting about in several directions 
 we gave it up, having at least compassed seven or eight 
 miles, and decided to drive ahead just to see the country, 
 when suddenly about a quarter of a mile from the 
 road-side, a huge bed of sword-rushes came in view 
 with something in the midst of them like a small piece 
 of glass. "There's the lake!" we all shouted while the 
 jarvey pulled up the rnare, and out we got with rods 
 and tackle, telling the coachman to look after himself 
 until we should return, probably about 6.30. 
 
 As we approached we found the lake was larger than 
 we had at first thought, but when we got close could not 
 see it at all for the thick belt of high rushes which 
 surrounded it. 
 
 Having found the lake, the next consideration was 
 how to find the boat, if it still existed, and inasmuch 
 as by its aid appeared the only possible chance of 
 reaching the water, we at once began the search. 
 
 We had read in books that explorers had discovered 
 from elevations, lowlands which they must necessarily 
 have previously traversed ; so, as not to be behindhand, 
 we climbed the nearest eminence in order to spot the lay 
 of the boat, and were duly rewarded with the sight of 
 
 N2
 
 180 BY HOOK AND BY CEOOK. 
 
 as fine a field of sword-rushes as usually falls to any 
 one man's lot, with not a break in them. 
 
 Foiled in this mean device, we retraced our steps and 
 faced the rushes, which, in accordance with the disagree- 
 able habit peculiar to their race, elected to keep their 
 feet bathed in a foot or two of water and slush, this treat- 
 ment rearing them to aheight considerably above our own. 
 
 After toiling knee-deep for about an hour, we by the 
 merest accident came across an old tub and hailed it 
 with as much delight as did Xenophon's Greeks the 
 sea ; but our joy was rather premature, as inspection 
 suggested the probability of its breaking up during 
 removal to the water, some twenty yards distant. 
 
 With tender and loving hands we hauled her to her 
 true element, and placed her on the bosom of the lake, 
 a kindly action which she immediately resented by freely 
 admitting water into her most secret compartments, 
 necessitating a temporary return to her mud home. 
 
 With paper and pocket-handkerchiefs we managed to 
 plug the holes and got her afloat, then succeeded in 
 finding one oar or rather scull the second defied all 
 search, so we had to make shift with a piece of broken 
 paling lashed to a branch ; so fitted out we put to sea, 
 or, rather, to lake, then of course stumbled over the 
 missing scull. 
 
 The sky was clouding over and rain seemed close at 
 hand, so we put up one rod and commenced casting under 
 the lee-shore, thinking that any feed would find their 
 way thither ; but not a fish could we see rise, although 
 there was a fair show of the natural insect.
 
 A WILD GOOSE CHASE. 181 
 
 Just at this time down came the rain in that gentle 
 drizzle which soaks one through in an apologetic way, 
 so we decided to seek the shelter of a little wooded 
 island in the middle of the lake, and spreading our only 
 waterproof above our heads, we consumed the humble 
 mid-day meal, not forgetting " quantum sufficit " of the 
 country's wine, just to keep out the wet, both of us 
 fortunately being disciples of the system which has as 
 its motto " Similia similibus, &c., &c." 
 
 Before our jarvey would fetch us there were four 
 hours to kill, and to all appearances these seemed likely 
 to be our only victims, but getting a bit stiff we faced 
 the wet and commenced casting from the back of the 
 island, when to our intense astonishment we rose a trout 
 at the second cast and landed him, about ^ Ib. weight, 
 then another and another, until we had five brace all of 
 about the same size. 
 
 Seeing the state of affairs, our companion did not 
 take long in getting his tackle put up and was soon into 
 them, so in a short space of time we together creeled 
 about 13 brace of nice trout of ^ Ib. to f Ib. apiece; 
 then they gave up rising, and our jarvey drove us home. 
 
 There was less feed at the back of the island than at 
 any other portion of the lake, so they probably had 
 drawn up for shelter, and naturally the scarcity made 
 them the more keen to take our flies cast from under the 
 gloom of the trees ; however, be that as it may, we have 
 never since missed the lee-shore of an island and this 
 was the lesson of Lisdoon Varna.
 
 [ 182 ] 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 A QUEER CAPTURE. 
 
 ON Thursday, the second day of Henley Regatta of 
 1887, the following strange coincidence occurred, and 
 was duly recorded in ' The Field ' at the time. 
 
 Our party was a large one, and during the day had 
 occupied two skiffs until about 8 o'clock P.M., when, 
 upon leaving the water to dine, we decided to moor one 
 of the skiffs to a mass of boats lying off the Red Lion 
 lawn, and leave it there while we all went ashore in the 
 other. 
 
 The mass of boats extended from the lawn and 
 reached across the stream to the first buttress, so we 
 moored the skiff outside them a few yards below the 
 bridge. 
 
 We were away for about an hour and a half and put 
 out to gain the moored skiff, when, as we walked 
 towards the bow to unloose her, we noticed a white 
 object lying in it above the bow thwart, and were about 
 to cast it overboard (thinking that it was a rotten fish 
 of some sort that had been thrown over the wall of the 
 bridge), when, to our astonishment, it commenced to
 
 A QUEER CAPTURE. 183 
 
 flap about in the liveliest fashion, and we soon made it 
 out to be a fine Thames trout. Vide Frontispiece. 
 
 We weighed him to 9^ lb., and out of curiosity had 
 him photographed next day, a well-grown fish, and, as 
 none of our party were believers in stuffed fish, we eat 
 him, and excellent he was. 
 
 The publication of this little incident drew down 
 upon our heads the most severe censure from some of 
 the reporters of Thames fishing, who chided us for not 
 having returned the fish to the river, in the interest of 
 those who were in the habit of spending much gold in 
 their attempts to capture such fish. 
 
 As a matter of fact we do not attach the smallest 
 value to fish as soon as we have caught them, and this 
 fish might have gone back to his element for all we 
 should have cared, but being in the habit of killing 
 large fish, we perhaps did not attach sufficient im- 
 portance to the loss of one trout to Father Thames. 
 
 When we came to consider that the anglers, for 
 whom cudgels had been taken up, had probably spent 
 as many years to catch him as he weighed pounds, the 
 enormity of the offence did not grow upon us, especially 
 as the ever-increasing age and experience of the fish 
 was daily expanding the odds against his would-be 
 captors. 
 
 Trout, as is of course well known, have their par- 
 ticular lays, and this one we had noticed feeding many 
 a time, while smoking a pipe during the summer 
 evenings in the " Lion " enclosure.
 
 184 .BF HOOK AND EY CROOK. 
 
 Similar occurrences have been before and since re- 
 corded, but we do not know a case where the principal 
 part in the scene has been taken by one of such fine 
 proportions. 
 
 How the accident happened is difficult to say ; it may 
 have been that the unusual number of boats excited 
 the fish to jump, and in falling he came across the 
 boat's thwart and toppled over into it. 
 
 Many an evening after dusk, while sitting by the 
 waterside, we have seen and heard small fish, such as 
 dace, raise their heads from the water and pick off flies 
 resting on the boats, and as a boat's thwart is only a 
 few inches above water-level it would be no difficult 
 matter for a large fish to make a mistake. We are 
 inclined to think that this accident happened from a 
 chance jump.
 
 [ 185 ] 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 GALWAY ZKIDGE. 
 
 THE cockney sportsman from time to time has had to 
 put up with a good deal of chaff from facetious writers, 
 which no doubt he fully deserved, and we will hope has 
 duly profited by; perhaps he may be considered to 
 have done so, for the absence, at the present time, of 
 skits such as "Mr. Briggs in the Highlands" and 
 " Seymour's Sketches," lead one to infer that the 
 sporting cockney has lost much of his individuality. 
 
 Most of us, especially those who chance to be anglers, 
 will have sympathized with dear old Mr. Briggs in his 
 struggles so amusingly described and illustrated in the 
 pages of ' Punch/ and after visiting Galway we have 
 always thought that subsequent to the enthusiastic old 
 gentleman's troubles on the Tay (for there the sketches 
 were taken) he should have been indulged with a few 
 days' angling at the bridge of the old Irish town, for 
 there he would have at once been in his element, and 
 his cockney nature would have readily grasped the 
 requirements of the situation.
 
 1 86 BY HOOK AND SY CROOK. 
 
 Now Galway is Galway at the best of times, and the 
 worst of times is a Sunday in Galway, and it so hap- 
 pened that upon the occasion when we met fate in 
 Galway the peal were very late in putting in their 
 animal appearance, which much exercised the minds of 
 the natives interested in their arrival, as also our own, 
 for had they been up to date we had meditated sneaking 
 a day in pursuit of them as a change from honest 
 toil. 
 
 Walking over the bridge in the afternoon there was 
 not a fish to be seen, so we dismissed the subject, 
 killed the day, and found ourselves later on in the 
 evening again on the bridge. Why does one always 
 wander in the direction of a river ? there surely must 
 be some attraction : however, as we were looking over 
 the bridge, there certainly appeared to be something in 
 the water which we had failed to notice earlier ; yes, 
 sure enough, they were fish just a few stragglers, the 
 advance guard of the main column. 
 
 This sudden apparition determined us to have a day 
 with them on the morrow, and with that object sought 
 Mr. Brown, the obliging factotum of the fishery, from 
 whom we obtained the necessary ticket, a few flies, 
 and the pleasing assurance that under such auspicious 
 circumstances there were pretty sure to be a lot of fish 
 up by the morning ; then retraced our steps to the 
 hotel, and turned in early, not thinking it necessary to 
 publish the result of our observations.
 
 QALWAY BRIDGE. 187 
 
 Upon looking over the bridge at about 4.30 A.M. 
 the following morning the sight was truly amazing, 
 for the bottom of the river was literally covered 
 with fish, packed together like sardines in a tin box, 
 but with their heads on; and all turned in the same 
 direction. 
 
 The water ran to the depth of a few feet only over 
 the backs of the peal, and having put tackle together 
 we commenced casting from the cinder-path which is 
 provided for the benefit of those who elect to fish in 
 dainty foot-gear. 
 
 We had the sole occupation of the path which ran 
 along the length of the fishing, so could fish as we 
 liked, and were well pleased at having landed four fish 
 by the time we adjourned for breakfast at eight o'clock, 
 the fish averaging about 61b. apiece, a proportion of 
 which had to be handed to the proprietor in accordance 
 with the conditions of the ticket, unless the angler 
 might wish to sell his share or purchase the proprietor's 
 at a fixed daily quotation. 
 
 Breakfast did not come amiss that day, but upon our 
 return what a change had come over the scene ! the fish 
 were still there, true enough, just as we had left them, 
 but also, alas ! a number of anglers intent upon their 
 capture. 
 
 We had been told, when taking the ticket, that a 
 certain number would be issued each day, if applied 
 for, and in that case a certain space of ground would be
 
 188 SY HOOZ AND SY CROOK, 
 
 portioned off to each, and, indeed, such a rule -was 
 indispensable. 
 
 Well, all the tickets had been issued and the holders 
 thereof told off to their stations, so we fell in to work 
 our little beat of about 10 yards, imitating the polar- 
 bear-like movements of our brothers in affliction, cast- 
 ing away until about 4 P.M., when we turned it up, 
 having only increased our early morning's sport by one 
 fish of 5 Ib. 
 
 The rest of the anglers only got one fish among 
 them all day ; but this was scarcely to be wondered at, 
 as the sun was streaming down the whole time, but 
 this lack of sport was balanced by the excitement most 
 of them experienced when now and again getting hitched 
 up in the high grassy bank which mounted straight up 
 at their backs. 
 
 The hooking of a fish was regarded as a species of 
 offence, as the playing of him obliged two or three of 
 one's immediate neighbours to withdraw for a time, 
 and if the captor did not adopt the pulling-out-by-the- 
 roots style of play he was regarded as a public nuisance. 
 
 Whether or no it was the custom of the place we 
 did not enquire, but it so happened that on the occa- 
 sion of our visit about half of the competitors affected 
 white kid gloves, which lent a peculiar charm to the 
 scene. 
 
 It was curious to observe the apathetic manner in 
 which the fish allowed the fly to sweep over their
 
 QALWAY BRIDGE. 189 
 
 heads ; perhaps a fly or flies had floated over a par- 
 ticular lot of fish times without number; then at last, 
 without rhyme or reason, one of them would spot it 
 coming round, give a preparatory quiver with his tail, 
 then go for it as bold as a lion. The fact of having 
 seen this performance always induces us to persevere 
 in more open water.
 
 [ 190 ] 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 BYE- DAY REMINISCENCES. 
 
 ANGLING perhaps of all sports is up to the present time 
 the least affected by innovations brought about by law, 
 the requirements of fashion, and the exigencies of com- 
 petition ; and inasmuch as fish cannot be " walked up " 
 or " driven/' those in pursuit of them employ pretty 
 much the same means to effect their capture as were 
 used in days gone by. It is most fortunate that the 
 angler cannot scare his game into the jaws of death 
 by methods similar to those practised in these days by 
 the shooter, or otherwise, as if that were possible we 
 should no doubt read with complacency of slaughter 
 parties being organized by persons as totally deficient 
 in any sporting instinct as those whom they might 
 invite to assist. 
 
 A man may be able to kill a fish now and again, or 
 be able to hit birds, or be a good rider to hounds, but 
 he may not be a " sportsman " for all that, as, in order 
 to merit the title, he must be able, in the first instance, 
 to find his game, which involves a thorough knowledge
 
 BYE-DAY REMINISCENCES. 191 
 
 of the habits of the quarry and is indispensable to 
 sport. 
 
 The perfect knowledge of the area of sport is of 
 course an enormous advantage, and we must admit 
 that "a, day" on a strange piece of water is, compara- 
 tively speaking, uninteresting, and our experience is 
 that we do not do justice either to the water or our- 
 selves, as, although experiences on other streams are 
 brought into requisition, every pool has peculiarities 
 which cannot be learnt in a day. 
 
 How severely one feels handicapped when, as a 
 stranger, fishing a pool with another w r ho knows the 
 position of every rock and stone which cause the sets 
 on the surface, or perhaps make no indication. Perhaps 
 the geography of the pool is explained, and one takes 
 it all for granted, being thankful for small mercies ', 
 but in reality each must see for himself the bottom of 
 the river in clear water, and must have caught fish in 
 it so as to know exactly where they take the fly as 
 gauged by the sets and ripples. 
 
 A good fisherman was never yet seen to fish fast or 
 hurriedly, for the very reason that he has so much to 
 think about, and it should not be taken for granted 
 that a man is idle while the blue wreaths of smoke 
 curl upwards from his pipe as he quietly wades a 
 pool. 
 
 We much prefer not to fish at all than to fish 
 hurriedly, but to be forced to take part in an angling 
 competition would be simple misery.
 
 192 SY HOOK AND SY CEOOK. 
 
 The very name of an angling competition is enough 
 to make one's teeth jar, and what benefit is gained 
 by fighting all day against time and one another, is 
 simply incomprehensible. Many anglers have attained 
 fame in their pursuit throughout the country-side 
 without having assisted in these abominations, and it 
 is an open question whether or no the size of the bag 
 on any particular day conclusively proves superiority 
 in skill. 
 
 When a river is fining down after a flood it often 
 happens that one of the best days is a Sunday ; but as 
 in most localities it is observed as a non-fishing day, 
 the angler must be content to kick his heels about and 
 wait. 
 
 When one is fishing hard a rest upon every seventh 
 day is by no means unwelcome, and gives an oppor- 
 tunity for putting tackle straight or making a fly or 
 two ; but when the river has previously been out of 
 order, another day of enforced idleness is rather trying, 
 and generally results in an extraordinary consumption 
 of tobacco and other things, until, in desperation, the 
 angler seeks his bed, thankful that the sun does not 
 indulge in such an eccentricity as we read happened in 
 the olden time. 
 
 When the water is in order, but for some reason the 
 angler cannot fish, he is pretty sure to think that sport 
 would be certain if there were no restriction ; but on 
 many occasions when the veto has been unexpectedly 
 removed the result has been disappointing, so with this
 
 BYE-DAY REMINISCENCES. 193 
 
 reflection the angler can console himself in the loss of 
 a Sunday 's fishing. 
 
 Upon a ' ' close " day, or when the water is dead low, 
 and as yet contains no fish (speaking of salmon) , a day's 
 stroll along the waterside is never wasted, and to the 
 angler is full of interest. 
 
 We will suppose he starts off down the bank from 
 which he usually fishes, then, while strolling along, he can 
 scarcely avoid learning something of the bottom of the 
 river, and ideas may strike him how to better command 
 some catch which hitherto was somewhat of a puzzle, 
 while if fish be in the river he may often get a sight 
 of them and mark them down for future use. 
 
 Having walked to his boundary he may then, if 
 practicable, cross the river and retrace his steps up the 
 opposite bank. The view thus gained may possibly afford 
 information which could not have been obtained from 
 his own side, and consequently may cause him to alter 
 his tactics in the future. 
 
 When fishing from only one bank of a river, the 
 augler is very apt to think that many pools could be 
 much better fished from the opposite bank, and he 
 would be certain to hook that rising fish which is out 
 of reach from his own side. This is very frequently a 
 delusion which a stroll down the bank quickly dispels, 
 sending the angler home in love with his own bank. 
 
 During an early autumn some few years ago we put in 
 a " week end," as they say in the North, at one of our 
 favourite fishing resorts, not with any idea of sport, 
 
 o
 
 EY HOOK AND BY CROOK. 
 
 for as yet there had been no flood since the spring 
 fish had ascended to the upper waters, but simply 
 with the intention to potter about the scenes of many 
 encounters. 
 
 So we set out for a saunter along the banks of the 
 river, which was foul indeed with deposit and mossy 
 weed raised by the sunlight of departed summer, all to 
 be swept away ere the pools should become wholesome 
 abodes for the autumn fish. 
 
 By the help of a stout pole we managed to gain a 
 large flat-surfaced rock, over which in a short time 
 waves would tumble and eddies surge, our object being 
 to ascertain the conformation of a pool beyond. 
 
 The surface of the rock at this time projected a few 
 inches above the water, and was clad in dark green 
 mossy weed, which bore the evidence of a severe en- 
 counter in the shape of masses of scales adhering to it 
 by their own glutinous matter baked by the sun. 
 
 The scales by their size and colour had evidently 
 once clothed a large salmon, but now curled up and 
 dry chronicled the death of their late proprietor, the 
 cause of whose untimely end stared us in the face, for 
 there in a crevice of the rock, scarce a foot off, lay the 
 skull and vertebrae of a large otter, suggesting that by 
 some means or other the salmon had been revenged. 
 
 The indications naturally suggested that a severe 
 conflict had taken place, ending in the death of both 
 combatants, and it seemed probable that the otter had 
 died by some accident to himself or through the iustru-
 
 BYE-DAY REMINISCENCES. 195 
 
 mentality of a third party, but as the incident had not 
 been observed by the inhabitants of the woodman's 
 cottage hard by, the secret remains in Nature's keeping. 
 
 There are many otters in the river who make their 
 homes under the roots of some large tree growing on 
 the bank, at places where the water is sluggish, whence 
 they seldom sally forth until nightfall makes them less 
 visible to man and fish alike ; yet we have occasionally 
 surprised them in daylight, for upon hearing our ap- 
 proach they have dropped their prey in our path ; eels 
 we have several times found in this manner, with the 
 soil quite wet around, bearing the footprints of their 
 captors. 
 
 Taking into consideration the number of otters 
 in the river, it is curious that one does not more 
 often find debris from their meals; the evidence of 
 half-consumed fish clearly proves that they do eat 
 salmon wheu they can get them ; but we are inclined 
 to think that their general food chiefly consists of 
 smaller fish, Avhich are more easily caught, although, 
 naturally, they take pains to leave no traces of depre- 
 dations, which would lead to exposure of their dwelling- 
 places. 
 
 Continuing our stroll we came sharp round a turn 
 and surprised an old heron standing knee-deep, who 
 was in the act of striking something in the water, 
 which he let fall from his beak as he took wing, no 
 doubt mentally resolving that it should be long before 
 he again admitted anyone to such close quarters. 
 
 o2
 
 196 SY HOOK AND BY CEOOK. 
 
 Upon approaching the small, almost streamless pool 
 in which the bird had been standing, we found the 
 fish he had dropped a small lamprey (of which they 
 are extremely fond), which was still alive and, upon 
 approach of this second danger, affixed himself to the 
 rock with his sucker-like mouth, as is their wont. 
 
 The herons no doubt destroy both trout and young 
 salmon, but, after all, the natural enemies of the latter 
 can. do little execution as compared with the ravages 
 of their own species in the kelt state ; and surely the 
 balance of nature may safely be trusted to maintain the 
 supply of salmon as against all legal enemies, provided 
 that man, in the application of artificial drainage to 
 the watersheds, also provides the speedy and uninter- 
 rupted ascent and descent for the fish which his alter- 
 ations necessitate. 
 
 Kelts no doubt are tempted to linger in the river as 
 long as the smolts are descending, running into their 
 jaws, as it were, upon their first journey seawards ; at 
 all events the entire disappearance of both is nearly 
 simultaneous, and we have seen, in clear water, an old 
 kelt eat a hearty meal, being so intent the while as 
 to admit of our near approach. 
 
 As the smolts, if unmolested, would in a short space 
 of time so much increase in value, it is not very clear 
 why Nature should countenance, at this early stage, 
 such wholesale destruction, as it would appear that the 
 kelts could be more economically fed and made whole- 
 some in the tideway; but it may be that kelts in their
 
 BYE-DAT REMINISCENCES. 197 
 
 impaired state of health require partial restoration to 
 enable them to face descent to the sea, the salt water 
 itself, and their enemies it contains. 
 
 Now this process of partial restoration is quickly 
 performed, as everyone knows who is familiar with the 
 well-mended kelt, who naturally selects what he can 
 easiest get viz., the smolt. 
 
 It is more than probable that after spawning opera- 
 tions a fish must be partially restored to health and 
 strength to enable him to undertake the journey down 
 and face the sea, and those affected by disease are so 
 averse to encounter these dangers that they evince the 
 greatest reluctance to quit the pools, but prefer to 
 frequent the eddies and log-holes, in which they get 
 weaker and weaker until overcome by death. 
 
 We have from day to day watched diseased fish lying 
 close beside the bank, paying little or no attention to 
 the passer-by, unless actually roused, and many we 
 have taken out and buried. 
 
 There is no more gruesome spectacle than a badly 
 diseased salmon. White as a leper from head to tail, 
 he is repulsive to the eye and hand, producing an in- 
 voluntary shudder ; yet the fungus can easily be 
 removed from the exterior with a piece of sacking, 
 making the fish appear healthy ; but if he be boiled, 
 the flesh under the parts of the skin affected will be 
 of a deep red colour. We have never eaten one, so 
 cannot say how they taste. 
 
 Some fish get slightly touched with the disease,
 
 198 BY HOOK AND ST CROOK. 
 
 of which they are cured upon contact with salt water, 
 but upon their return to the river the scar is plainly 
 visible on the parts unprotected by scales, being of a 
 reddish colour and rather lower than the surface of the 
 unaffected portion. 
 
 When fishing salmon in spring we have many a time 
 in a crevice of rock come across a smolt lying in a list- 
 less manner, and upon catching him in the net have 
 discovered a white fluffy growth around his jaw, which 
 had grown upon an injured place caused by the hook 
 of the trout-fisher. The growth appeared to be quite 
 the same as the disease on salmon, and we have seen 
 the heads of fish wounded by fighting affected in the 
 same manner. 
 
 It is well worth the angler's while to spend a few 
 days in winter by the waterside, as the spawning opera- 
 tions will afford plenty of instruction. 
 
 It is most curious to note the jealousy of the male 
 fish, who fights to the death any intruder upon his 
 preserves, charging repeatedly until the water may be 
 tinged with blood. In these conflicts the huge gibs of 
 the older and larger fish are powerful weapons of 
 offence, and in great measure contribute to the defeat 
 of the foe ; thus, the old males on the spawning-redds 
 take precedence of their younger and more vigorous 
 rivals, whereas in artificial breeding the latter are 
 selected for duty. 
 
 Salmon select for their spawning-ground or redds a 
 gravelly bed, over which the water runs shallow and
 
 BYE-DAT REMINISCENCES. 199 
 
 fast ; there they dig out a trough, in which the female 
 deposits her ova, and on that the male sheds his milt ; 
 then the trough is covered up, and nature does the 
 remainder. 
 
 The ova take about 90 days to hatch out, and the 
 colder the water, the more time they will require, and 
 the stronger will be their constitution. 
 
 The ova of trout take about 60 days to hatch, and are 
 in the same manner influenced by the temperature of 
 the water.
 
 [ 200 ] 
 
 CHAPTER XXVII. 
 
 FISHING THE MINNOW FOR SALMON. 
 
 IT is somewhat the fashion with fly-fishers to consider 
 this style of angling an inferior art and sporting proce- 
 dure, but why such should he the case we fail to per- 
 ceive, provided that it be adopted in its proper place, 
 and in accordance with the unwritten laws which 
 pertain to angling as to all other sports. 
 
 A man who pays 200 for a month's fishing on a 
 stretch of water, which he fishes from a boat, killing 
 with a minimum of exertion a large number of free 
 rising fish with the fly, has no necessity to use the 
 minnow ; indeed its use might be prejudicial to the 
 size of the bag, and we are in accord with him in 
 excluding the use of both natural and artificial baits. 
 
 We confess to being much addicted to the sole use 
 of the fly, but at the same time can scarcely blame the 
 angler for the use of the minnow, when experience tells 
 him that by it he can kill three or four fish to every one 
 with the fly.
 
 FISHING THE MINNOW FOB SALMON. 201 
 
 Apart from these considerations many catches are 
 absolutely inaccessible to the fly on account of over- 
 hanging and surrounding trees &c., which even prohibit 
 the switch or Spey cast, the result being that a preju- 
 dice against the use of the minnow will necessitate the 
 catch remaining unfished. 
 
 We argue that it is the business of the angler to 
 command every catch on his side of the water by some 
 or other fair means, and if he cannot do so, he is no 
 fisherman. 
 
 To accomplish this end he will find the spinning rod 
 of invaluable assistance, and derive vast satisfaction 
 from the skilful use thereof. 
 
 A stiff 12 ft. to 14 ft. rod fitted with steel snake- 
 rings is best for the purpose, as while enabling any cast 
 in reason to be made it is handy amongst foliage. 
 
 The line should be as fine as the weight of the game 
 will allow, and may be of dressed or undressed silk, to 
 which is attached a gut cast of four to six feet in 
 length, furnished with the former number of swivels. 
 
 It is of primary importance in spinning to prevent 
 any kinking of the line, so plenty of swivels should be 
 employed, as although on principle one should be suffi- 
 cient, in practice it is not so, as being cheap productions 
 they are not perfect and may become clogged by dirt 
 or rust. 
 
 There are many systems of feeding the rod with line, 
 viz., by coiling on the bank or in a basket attached to 
 the angler, winding across from thumb to little finger,
 
 202 SY HOOK AND XT CEOOK. 
 
 coiling up across the palm of the hand, or even fold- 
 ing it backwards and forwards across the palm. 
 
 These systems all possess the natural disadvantage of 
 slack line off the reel, which is obviated by the use of 
 a reel, which feeds the rod directly, such as Malloch's 
 patent and the Nottingham reel. 
 
 The former before casting is thrown out of gear, 
 which allows the line to fly off the drum without revo- 
 lution of the same, thus permitting a lighter bait to be 
 cast than would be the case had the bait itself to 
 revolve the drum, in which respect it is valuable, but 
 it must be noted that the line running off in this manner 
 puts a kink upon itself, which must if possible be neu- 
 tralized by the use of many swivels on the cast. 
 
 The drum of this reel is necessarily unguarded by 
 bars, so when upon hooking a fish it is thrown into 
 gear, care must be taken not to throw it out while 
 bringing the fish to hand by winding up the line, as the 
 slightest deviation of the drum from the perpendicular 
 will result in the release of a few coils of line, which 
 the rod takes up with a jerk a contingency clearly to 
 be avoided. If required, lead can be used on the 
 line. 
 
 The use of the reel is soon acquired, and perhaps the 
 best method is as follows. The cast and bait protrude 
 from the rod point, and the reel is thrown out of gear, 
 the lower hand grasps the rod below the reel, while the 
 upper hand encircles the rod at a distance of a foot 
 above the reel, the palm, second, third, and fourth
 
 FISHING THE MINNOW FOE SALMON. 203 
 
 fingers being employed to swing and direct the rod, 
 while the thumb and forefinger hold the line. 
 
 The rod is swung, and at the correct moment, which 
 can only be learnt by practice, the line is released by 
 the finger and thumb and taken under control by the 
 bait, which by its fall upon the water signals the 
 moment to return the drum into gear, the rod being 
 pressed against the angler's body to admit of free use 
 of the lower hand. The line is then wound up prepa- 
 ratory to the next cast. 
 
 In practice it will be found best to return the drum 
 into gear just before the bait drops upon the surface, 
 and the fingers of the upper hand should be kept close 
 to the rod in order to be clear of the out-running line, 
 which for a short distance maintains the spiral form 
 derived from the reel, and upon this account a stiffly 
 dressed line best suits the Malloch reel. 
 
 When natural minnow or other fish be used as bait, 
 the angler had best suit his fancy as to the style of flight 
 of hooks he employs. We prefer the following pattern 
 of artificial minnow to any other viz., a plain body of 
 silver- or gold- coloured metal with a spinner on each 
 side of the head, and no slits up the side, for we object 
 to the use of hooks at the sides on account of the fre- 
 quency in fouling the line. 
 
 The tackle used with this minnow is simply com- 
 posed of two triangles, whipped one behind the other 
 on to a piece of treble gut, the other end being 
 whipped to a swivel, and the whole being of such a
 
 204 ST HOOK AND BY CROOK. 
 
 length that the tail-end of the minnow, when threaded 
 with it, will rest on the upper triangle about half an 
 inch from the bend of the hooks, while only the eye of 
 the swivel protrudes beyond the mouth of the minnow. 
 
 By this method the cast or tippet of gut is protected 
 by the swivel from wear and tear by the minnow, while 
 the latter protects the swivel from a cross strain, which 
 results are not attained should the gut attached to the 
 hooks be longer or shorter. 
 
 A piece of brass wire should be whipped to the gut 
 throughout the entire length of the tackle, and the 
 whole covered with a whipping of the finest brass wire; 
 thus it will be impossible for the triangles to foul each 
 other, and the tackle is defended against wear from the 
 minnow. 
 
 When the minnow is placed firmly on this tackle the 
 whole will revolve together in the water, and the 
 minnow will fly up the line as soon as the fish be 
 hooked, falling back into position as soon as unimpeded. 
 
 The angler should be provided with minnows of 2 
 in., 2^ in., and 3 in. in length of body. 
 
 The gold minnows show best in clear water, while 
 the silver show well in coloured. 
 
 We now come to casting with the Nottingham reel 
 and line ; the former should be provided with an op- 
 tional check, for use in playing a fish or when not in 
 active employment, while the line should be 100 yards 
 or so of plaited silk. Care must be taken to keep the 
 reel free from grit, &c., and a little oil now and again
 
 FISHING THE MINNOW FOB SALMON. 205 
 
 assists the bearings. Friction between the line and 
 rings, which naturally checks and wears the former, 
 may be much reduced by an occasional dressing with 
 the following lubricant, which also preserves the line 
 in other respects viz., stearine melted up with a little 
 sperm-oil, or, in default, a sperm-candle melted. 
 
 The line should be wound on to the little finger and 
 thumb and immersed in this mixture when nearly boil- 
 ing, so that penetration may be perfect. The mixture 
 will set when cold, and can be reheated when required. 
 
 When cold the line should be wound on the reel, 
 and in its course be stripped of superfluous grease by 
 the aid of a cloth. 
 
 The line must be thoroughly dried each day after 
 use, and the extremity well tested as to strength. 
 
 Provided thus with rod and tackle the angler prepa- 
 ratory to casting should have only the gut cast and 
 bait protruding from the rod point, unless a very long 
 cast may be required, when the length of swinging line 
 may be increased. The check is next removed from 
 the reel, but so as to maintain line and bait in position ; 
 the outside revolving plate of the reel is controlled by 
 finger or thumb of the lower hand. 
 
 The angler now turns his back to the river and 
 gently passes the rod round in front of him, until the 
 top is pointing very nearly down stream, employing 
 just the slightest swing to supply the bait with objec- 
 tive force to facilitate the actual cast. 
 
 Now, commencing with a gentle but gradually in-
 
 206 BY HOOK AND BY CROOK. 
 
 creasing force, he swings the rod, at the same time lifting 
 his finger clear from the reel, The length and force of 
 the swing, combined with the timing of release of the reel, 
 i. e. the line, determine the spot at which the bait falls, 
 so in these respects considerable accuracy is required. 
 
 The bait flies out, taking the line from the reel, and 
 here the difficulties commence, for although some 
 weight is required to start the drum of the reel in the 
 first instance, it soon gains velocity, the result being 
 that when the bait falls, and ceases to take up the line 
 as released from the reel, the latter winds up the line 
 the reverse way until it brings the bait up with a sharp 
 jerk, and throws the line into extreme confusion. 
 
 To avoid this serious catastrophe, which may mean 
 loss of tackle, the reel must be gradually checked by 
 the finger or thumb when the bait is in mid-air, the 
 friction being increased until it is brought to a standstill 
 simultaneously with the bait's fall upon the surface. 
 
 This manoeuvre will take a deal of practice to achieve, 
 more especially when a long distance has to be covered 
 by a light bait. Nottingham reels, like most other 
 kinds, are generally much too weak in the check, so if 
 not altered by the makers they must be assisted by the 
 fingers on the drum when playing a fish. 
 
 THE ANGEL.
 
 [ 207 ] 
 
 CHAPTER XXVIII. 
 
 A CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS. 
 
 WE have previously remarked in these pages of what 
 enormous advantage to the angler is the knowledge of 
 a river, as, apart from other considerations, one possessed 
 of such should, at the first glance at the water, be able 
 to accurately gauge its height at the other pools, and 
 so save time by making straight away to suitable waters, 
 avoiding those which are too low, and leaving undis- 
 turbed for a future day those which as yet are too big. 
 
 A bit of generalship is required in angling as in most 
 other pursuits. 
 
 It is not a morsel of use flogging a pool while it be 
 too big, as the fish have not settled down, and the catches 
 cannot be rightly commanded, and even if they can be, 
 the water is probably too deep to enable fish to see the 
 fly, so, with this combination, it is any odds against the 
 angler, who only messes the water about for nothing. 
 
 If fish he must, he had better be content with casting 
 from the bank on the off chance of attracting the 
 attention of fish lying close in to the sides, anyhow by 
 so doing he will not much disturb the pool.
 
 208 SY HOOK AND BY CROOK. 
 
 The experiences which suggested the heading to these 
 notes were gained during a visit to a northern river, 
 during early spring, when the water chanced to be 
 dead low ; indeed, rods were laid aside until the next 
 flood, of which, by-the-by, a steady east wind gave no 
 promise in the near future. 
 
 Not a fish had been taken for ten days or more, but 
 we had come to fish, and fish we must ; so after due 
 consideration we determined to make off to a very rough 
 pool which was rarely fishable on account of its heavy 
 boiling waters and extremely rough wading. For these 
 reasons it was fished by few ; indeed, only one or two 
 knew how to wade it, and upon this occasion it had not 
 been fished since the last flood. 
 
 Arrived at the pool, a glance showed that it was in 
 grand fettle, and we soon had ocular demonstration 
 that it sheltered plenty of spring fish, some lying right 
 up in the neck, others distributed over the entire length, 
 a distance of fifty yards or thereabouts. 
 
 The day was exactly cut out for fishing, the sky being 
 evenly covered with grey clouds pierced now and again 
 by a streak of semi-sunshine. Would that such days 
 could be made to order ! 
 
 The edge of the pool ran right up to the base of a 
 towering sandstone rock, and the bottom was entirely 
 composed of huge boulders of all shapes and sizes, lying 
 huddled up together, just as if the river-bed had been 
 blasted and left for the express purpose of twisting the 
 ankles of those who might venture upon it. The
 
 A CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS. 209 
 
 monotony of this arrangement was broken now and 
 again by a pleasing variety of boulder which elected to 
 rock to and fro when fairly entrusted with the weight 
 of the human body, the rocking motion usually getting 
 into working order as soon as confidence in stability 
 had been acquired, apparently so that ejectment might 
 the more easily be effected. Still, boulders will be 
 boulders in their own sweet way. 
 
 About fifteen yards from the water's edge a few 
 sunken rocks reared their moss-grown heads some inches 
 above the surface, as if to ascertain what was going on 
 in the world above, and suggesting that, if but gained, 
 they would afford an easier path, and most certainly a 
 perfect command of the catch. 
 
 Such proved to be the case, for after wading middle- 
 deep out to them, the water became a foot or so shallower, 
 but the bed was rough as ever ; however, we were 
 thankful for small mercies. 
 
 We put the hoop of the salmon-net over the crest of 
 a boulder, thinking it would be handy if required, and 
 prepared to cast with a minnow, as at this point (the 
 neck of the pool) the water boiled too much for any fly ; 
 when after a cast or two we spied a curious-looking 
 article floating down the pool a few yards below us, 
 which turned out be our net on a voyage of discovery 
 on its own account. We made a cast for it with the 
 minnow and were fortunate in throwing clean over it, 
 but, contrary to their usual habit, neither would have 
 anything to do with the other : this was the exception 
 
 p
 
 210 EY ROOK AND BY CROOE. 
 
 that proved the rule, for up to this time, when on land, 
 both had shown a natural affinity for each other, and 
 have continued to do so since. 
 
 There was clearly nothing for it but pursuit, so, with 
 a few words of thanksgiving, we retraced our steps 
 shore wards and made for the nearest shallow, to inter- 
 cept our property, then wading out took a seat on a 
 hospitable stone in the line of drift, and at length re- 
 gained it. 
 
 "We again sought the rocks, taking care this time to 
 place the net in safer keeping, and started with the 
 minnow. 
 
 Some fish were rising beyond the reach of the fly-rod, 
 so we had put up a 14-feet bamboo casting-rod, fitted 
 with upright rings, and attached to it a patent reel 
 which effected a long cast, without the addition of lead 
 to the line. 
 
 This tackle we had acquired to command catches 
 which were otherwise inaccessible, by reason of trees, 
 etc., and, as far as casting was concerned, the combination 
 acted exceedingly well, but we had had no experience 
 of it with fish. 
 
 At the first cast the minnow fell about ten yards from 
 our feet straight across the stream ; at the second, the 
 radius was increased a yard, and almost before the bait 
 had settled down it was seized with such force that, 
 being scarcely prepared for so sudden an onslaught, the 
 rod was nearly wrenched from our grasp. 
 
 A couple of angry jerks followed, then up darted the
 
 A CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS. 211 
 
 fish into the very neck of the pool, selecting the heaviest 
 waters for his battle-field, as a proper springer should. 
 Then away he sped through the breakers to the far side 
 of the pool, with the evident intention of taking a rest, 
 but, so as to keep him on the move, we gave him the butt 
 and held Lira hard. 
 
 Here our troubles commenced, for in the act of winding 
 up line, the drum of the reel (which had no cross-bars), 
 instead of remaining rigid, as it was supposed to do 
 until twisted round for casting, commenced to wobble, 
 and each wobble released from the reel two or three 
 coils of line, which the rod took up with a jerk truly 
 a cheerful situation ! 
 
 In spite of these vagaries the fish remained on, thanks 
 to the treble-gut cast, and was plainly getting a bit 
 done, when suddenly, to our dismay, the reel itself fell 
 from the rod-fittings into the water, fortunately resting 
 on the rock barely three feet below the surface. Holding 
 the line in the rod hand we made a dash at the reel and 
 replaced it in the fittings, but with the handle the Avrong 
 way up for our style of fishing. 
 
 This would have made little difference with an ordinary 
 reel, as it would have only been necessary to turn the 
 rod over, but it was exceedingly awkward in this instance, 
 as, having found that with a running fish the check of 
 the reel was far too weak, we had been supplying the 
 deficiency by pressure of the fingers on the drum, 
 which these new conditions rendered difficult to achieve. 
 Luckily the fish had no more run left in him, and we
 
 212 BY HOOK AND BY CROOK. 
 
 wound him up to within net distance, hauling against 
 the heavy stream. 
 
 We had three shots at him with the net, but in the 
 most dexterous manner he managed to keep the major 
 portion of his person outside the rim, until at last we 
 made a final effort and stuffed him in with the hand, 
 being mighty glad of it, as we were getting a bit done, 
 having been a prisoner on the rock during the entire 
 performance. "We waded to land with him, which was 
 no easy task through the heavy stream, and as he fell 
 from the net the second of the two triangles broke away 
 from the minnow, leaving him free but safely grassed ; 
 so, after all, it was a very near thing. The fish was fresh 
 run and scaled 18 Ib. 
 
 We were now glad of a rest while stowing away a 
 few sandwiches, and then started with the same minnow, 
 for, having no other, we were obliged to use it incom- 
 plete, and were soon into another fish, which took the 
 bait just at the edge of the strong water. 
 
 He gave one jump, and we guessed him at about 
 13 Ib., but had no means of testing the accuracy of our 
 forecast, as the minnow fell from his jaws while in the 
 air, which was rather hard lines, for had the bait been 
 perfect he would have been safe as houses ; but it served 
 us right for not having been better provided. Fish 
 were taking so well that, somehow or other, we felt 
 pretty sure of a further chance, and as the tail of the 
 pool subsided into slacker water, we determined to fish 
 it with the fly.
 
 A CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS. 213 
 
 We fished fairly well down, when a rising fish urged 
 us to attempt a few more casts ; but wading in deep 
 water on rocking stones is no very pleasant job, especi- 
 ally when, as in this case, the surface is barely sufficient 
 to accommodate one's feet, with deep water yawning on 
 either side. 
 
 To tell the truth, at the last cast, we were just as 
 pleased that no fish had caught on, and were about to 
 lift the rod, when down went the top and we were 
 fairly into a big 'un. He took a long run, then forced 
 his way up again, and holding him lightly so as not to 
 stir him to resistance, we, with difficulty and consider- 
 able danger of a ducking, threaded our way to the 
 pool's edge and dropped down to opposite him. 
 
 A fairly easy task now remained such as the angler 
 meets with on most days, and we were about to give 
 him a fair taste, when, without apparent cause, the line 
 came lightly back towards us, the single gut having 
 parted where the fly-hank is attached to the cast, just 
 below the loop. 
 
 It probably had been cracked in the strong wind, 
 and so we lost our fish. 
 
 This pool, as may be imagined, had had a pretty good 
 doing, yet, the water being so low, we could but have 
 recourse to it the following day, and had no reason to 
 regret the choice, for after a few casts with the minnow 
 were soon into a big fish. 
 
 By hopping from one submerged rock to another, 
 with the help of the landing-net handle, we contrived to
 
 214 SY HOOK AND SY CROOE. 
 
 gain a boulder lying almost in mid-stream and present- 
 ing about as much surface as a chair-bottom, from 
 which we had to play the fish. 
 
 He was a perfect demon, and ran in all directions, 
 without rhyme, reason, or any system whatever, and 
 time after time we got him up, simply to provoke an- 
 other run into the heavy water. 
 
 If we could but have followed him it would have been 
 all right, but this was out of the question, as the attempt 
 to kill him fifty yards away would have been simply an 
 act of imbecility, for we should never have got the dead 
 weight up against the stream, so we hauled at him, until, 
 in the endeavour to check a further rim, bang went the 
 gut and away he went with minnow and a couple of yards 
 of the best treble twisted. Sickening work indeed, for 
 he was a grand fish. 
 
 Our luck was indeed dead out at this pool, and, with 
 no heart to court further disaster, we made up bank to 
 the streams forming the head of the pool, and waded 
 out to command a catch in which we had noticed fish 
 rising. 
 
 To reach the catch it was necessary to wade out forty 
 or fifty yards over the surface of the rock to gain access 
 to a gullet in which lay the fish; indeed, a casual 
 spectator of an angler thus casting would wonder how 
 he managed to get there. 
 
 We cast carefully down, pitching the fly well into 
 the breaks on the far side, so that it might swing 
 round nicely into the channel which harboured the fish,
 
 A CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS. 215 
 
 and just as the fly came round and was hanging plumb, 
 the rod bent and fastened the hook securely into a good 
 fish, which immediately leapt into the air, revealing 
 himself as a thick one of about 15 Ib. weight. 
 
 Straight away he dashed, then steadied a bit and 
 gradually permitted of the reeling-up process, until we 
 thought we might number him among the slain ; how- 
 ever, as he once more headed down stream, out came 
 the fly, probably never having been fixed, but simply 
 lodging against a bone, if even so much as that. Another 
 reverse ! 
 
 All pools seemed alike as far as results were con- 
 cerned ; such luck was truly disheartening, especially 
 after by no means easy work ; still there was nothing 
 left but to persevere, so we waded out to fish a little 
 run just above, and at the second cast the fly was 
 taken. 
 
 Away down the run he went at lightning speed, then 
 faced up and endeavoured to place an ugly rock between 
 himself and us, obliging us to make up after him ; then 
 gradually we got him to shore, somewhat surprised that 
 he only weighed 8 Ib., as by his play and strength we 
 should have put him down at double that size, which 
 shows that unless a fish comes to the surface it is 
 difficult to guess his weight. 
 
 He was the freshest of fresh-run ones and of the most 
 perfect shape we have ever seen. 
 
 The wind now dropped round to the S.W. and heavy 
 rain fell during the night, which brought the river down
 
 216 SY IIOOK AND SY CROOK. 
 
 a foot or so, rendering it un6shable for a couple of days ; 
 and not before it was wanted. 
 
 As soon as the water was in order, it was apparent 
 that the fresh had brought up a great number of new 
 fish, and the next day we were fortunate in killing one 
 of 8 lb., but, as it was on treble gut, we made short 
 work of him. We were casting the minnow, while 
 standing three feet or so above water-level, and could 
 plainly see the fish follow it round out of the deep water 
 and ultimately seize it almost at our feet. 
 
 Under such circumstances one is apt to commit one 
 of two errors, in either raising the rod too soon, or in 
 slackening the pace of the bait instead of which per- 
 haps the best plan is to slightly accelerate its move- 
 ments, and so make the fish anxious not to allow of its 
 escape ; but in any case the body or arms must not be 
 moved. 
 
 At this moment the sun came out very strong, so we 
 took up the trout- rod, and in about two hours bagged 
 1^ dozen, weighing 8 lb., chiefly with the March brown 
 and dark blea, and in addition lost fully half a dozen, by 
 reason of the March brown's hook having lost its barb 
 and we had none other to replace it. 
 
 Later on we reverted to the salmon-rod, but as, for 
 some reason best known to themselves, the fish would 
 pay no heed to the fly, we took up the minnow-rod 
 and cast into a swirl caused by a bed of rock lying in 
 mid-stream, which usually held a fish or two. In re- 
 sponse to the very first cast, out sailed a big fish from 
 the gloom, leisurely approached the minnow and quietly
 
 A CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS. 217 
 
 annexed it, just as it was swinging round, and as he 
 turned to regain his stronghold we struck him, driving 
 the hooks well home. He remained stationary for a 
 few seconds as if such experience were new ; but feeling 
 the strain continue, he was not long in forming a plan 
 of escape, for in an instant he flew across the ledge of 
 rock and dived to the bottom of the channel beyond ; 
 he then tore straight away up it to a distance of twenty 
 yards, making the reel scream to a pretty tune. 
 
 Without a moment's hesitation he then doubled round 
 the head of the ledge, keeping deep down the while, 
 in order to make certain of fouling the line, which we 
 felt he had done most effectually ; and although he was 
 still running we had no idea in which direction, until 
 he leapt out of the water with ^fly and line attached, 
 within a few yards of us, having thus completed in his 
 course about seven-eighths of a circle. 
 
 This jump settled us, as the line came back, cut by 
 the rock, and so off he went with minnow, treble-gut 
 cast, and about 20 yards of reel-line, which no doubt 
 kept him busy for some little time. We had another 
 look at him, for he cleared the water again quite 30 
 yards from his first jump, the weight of the line trailing 
 behind evidently giving him the idea that he was not 
 yet free. 
 
 The whole episode did not take longer than 10 seconds, 
 and if he had practised the manoeuvre a hundred times 
 it could not have been executed more efficiently. He 
 was of about 22 Ib. weight. 
 
 Since the flood the nights had been attended by
 
 218 BY ILOOK AND BY CROOK. 
 
 sharp frosts, which made the river quickly fall in, and 
 in spite of the waves beaten up by an easterly gale, for 
 the next two days we did nothing beyond bagging from 
 1 dozen to 1^- dozen trout each day, averaging rather 
 over ^ Ib. apiece. 
 
 In low water salmon take badly after lying in a pool 
 for some days, so we determined to devote the last day 
 of our visit to trout-fishing, and whilst the feed came 
 out in the middle of the day bagged a dozen or so ; but 
 the easterly gale was so cold and strong that the rise 
 was of short duration, and it was only with the greatest 
 difficulty that the line could be induced to enter the 
 water, or remain in it when there. 
 
 While trout, during the rise of fly, occupy the centre 
 of the current, down which the feed floats, the smolts 
 keep at a respectful distance, contenting themselves 
 with any stray bits that may chance their way; but 
 so soon as the trout cease rising and retire to the 
 stiller water, the smolts taking their place, pick off the 
 cripples and sunken flies. While the March brown is 
 on, at all events, the rise of a trout is easily distinguished 
 by the initiated from that of the smolt, as the former 
 in taking the fly makes a sort of flop on the surface. 
 
 At this season of the year the trout are ravenous and 
 fairly rush at the March brown, as it is the first large 
 fly to appear, and no doubt its upright wings, combined 
 with the height at which it sits on the water, require 
 an extra effort on the part of the trout, resulting in the 
 flop on the surface alluded to.
 
 A CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS. 219 
 
 Thus it follows that if, while the rise is on, the line 
 be lifted when it arrives at the edge of the main current, 
 smolts will be avoided and much valuable time saved. 
 
 The novice does not always grasp this situation, and 
 often complains bitterly of the time he has lost on account 
 of the smolts. 
 
 To return to the subject, It was now 3 o'clock and 
 the main rise over, yet we were on the alert to avail 
 ourselves, should opportunity offer, of the second rise, 
 which frequently occurs about half an hour after the 
 first has ceased; and during the interval took a rest 
 while disposing of the usual lunch, leaving the cast to 
 soak in the stream so that no time might be lost, as at 
 this season of the year the after-rise is rarely of more 
 than a few minutes' duration. 
 
 Just in the nick of time out blinked the sun, and 
 sure enough out came the second batch of feed ; so we 
 quickly jumped into the place where the trout were 
 busiest, and soon bagged a brace of half- pounders. 
 
 Out shot the line again and we hooked another, that 
 had taken the tail-fly under water, making no surface 
 rise. 
 
 This, sure enough, was a big fish, as instead of shaking 
 his head he contented himself with remaining deep 
 below the surface, seeming bent on a long struggle. 
 
 Two or three minutes passed by without any signs 
 of his giving in, when turning to our attendant on the 
 bank, we jokingly remarked, (C Hullo ! Geordie, this one 
 plays just like a salmon ! "
 
 220 Sr HOOK AND SY CSOOK. 
 
 " There is many a true word spoken in jest," runs 
 the proverb, and this was a fair instance, for the manner 
 in which the fish now ploughed his way to the pool's 
 neck left in neither of our minds any doubts as to his 
 species. The little trout-cast cut the water as he sailed 
 through the strong eddies, then, feeling the rod's con- 
 straint, he mended his pace and to our dismay ran 
 about twenty yards of line from the reel. 
 
 Such a length had not been unwound for many a 
 day, and as we glanced down we perceived that the line 
 proper was exhausted, and we had got down to some 
 old silk-aud-hair line which had been wound on the 
 reel simply as filling, to increase the size of the drum, 
 being knotted to the line proper. 
 
 The knot travelled smoothly through the rings of the 
 butt-joint, but stuck in an upper one, and, as we could 
 not follow, down went the point of the rod and smash 
 went the cast, releasing the fish with nearly three yards 
 of gut and the same number of flies. 
 
 Judging by the lie of the fish and the way in which 
 he headed up stream, he probably was a fresh-run one 
 we had observed jumping previously, and we regretted 
 having prematurely parted company, although we should 
 most likely have lost him when, at the finish, fetching 
 his dead weight to within net distance. 
 
 In future, when fishing trout in a salmon river while 
 the March brown is on, we shall be provided with at 
 least 60 yards of line. 
 
 From this episode, which may not occur once in a
 
 A CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS. 221 
 
 lifetime, we at all events learnt a lesson concerning 
 knots, and gained convincing proof that salmon feed 
 on small flies small, indeed, in comparison with their 
 own size. 
 
 We a few days later watched a fresh fish, which had 
 drawn up behind a big stone in smooth water, not more 
 than two yards from the bank, feeding on scores of 
 March browns. 
 
 We thus killed during our visit 3 salmon, weighing 
 18 lb., 8 lb., and 8 lb., and lost six fish, and during 
 the middles of the days killed 64 trout, averaging over 
 | lb. apiece, which were in exceptionally fine condition 
 for the time of year, quite a month ahead of the 
 average season, probably by reason of the warm fine 
 weather which had been experienced in these parts 
 during February and early March. 
 
 After a week's interval we returned for a couple of days, 
 and killed a fresh fish of 20 lb. and 60 trout weighing 
 31 lb. ; but on this occasion we gave more time to trout, 
 and the water and weather were more favourable. 
 
 When fishing trout, in large rivers especially, there 
 are a few points to be remembered. 
 
 The golden rule is to follow the feed : this is an easy 
 matter when the river can be covered at a single cast, 
 but in fishing a big water when a strong wind is blowing 
 the angler must shift to some particular nook to which 
 the feed is being carried, and there he may meet with 
 more sport in an hour than otherwise would be found 
 in a day.
 
 222 BY HOOK AND SY CEOOE. 
 
 The largest fish are generally captured while the 
 rise is on, as they early appropriate the most eligible 
 positions,, and the smaller fish are only too glad to keep 
 at a safe distance for fear of accidents. 
 
 The time of the rise of feed varies in accordance with 
 the temperature of the day and that of the preceding 
 night ; a frost, for instance, will much retard it ; but 
 anyone frequenting a river will pretty accurately fore- 
 cast its arrival. 
 
 In early spring the rise of the fly is not so profuse 
 as it will be later on, and fish will rise to the artificial 
 fly all through it ; but when later on the feed rises, 
 as it were, in clouds, the angler will do little while it 
 is thickest his time comes shortly after. A floating 
 fly is best during the thick rise. 
 
 If the sun come out very brightly and strong for an 
 hour, the feed all gets hatched out at once and the rise 
 is soon over for the day ; so a cloudy day with the sun 
 blinking out at intervals of short duration is much 
 better business for the angler, as the rise is thus main- 
 tained during two or three hours, and it is not so thick 
 at any one time as to prevent fish taking the artificial 
 fly right through it. 
 
 Especially when fishing large deep rivers, it should 
 be remembered that trout upon their return from 
 breeding in the small streams and runners first of all 
 frequent slow-running water and the very tail of the 
 pool, only drawing up to the streamy waters while the 
 fly is out ; then, as by feeding they gain strength, they
 
 A CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS. 223 
 
 will gradually draw up and up into the streams, until, 
 by the beginning of May or even a week or two later, 
 when the creeper appears, they have established them- 
 selves in their summer-quarters. 
 
 The same more or less holds good with smaller rivers, 
 only the pools and streams of course lie closer together. 
 The number of flies a trout will capture in an hour 
 is astonishing ; we have seen a 1 Ib. trout while in the 
 net cast up on to the roof of his mouth the best part of 
 two score. 
 
 While quietly fishing a stream the angler has frequent 
 opportunities to observe the habits of fish, flesh, and 
 fowl which inhabit its depths and banks; indeed many 
 of these seem to get accustomed to the angler with his 
 slow methodical movements, and do not pay the same 
 attention to his noiseless procedure as they do to the 
 casual passer-by. 
 
 Of the many curious traits and incidents in animal 
 life which have in this manner come under our obser- 
 vation, perhaps the following, which occurred during 
 the visit under notice, is not the least interesting. 
 
 We had gained the bank after fishing a pool, and 
 happening to cast a glance up stream noticed an object 
 projecting above the surface of the slackish water on the 
 far side, about a hundred yards up stream. 
 
 The object, whatever it might be, was entirely foreign 
 to the situation, but, nevertheless, appeared fixed, as 
 the stream was setting off from it upon either side. 
 
 We hastened to the spot, and were surprised to find
 
 224 BY HOOK AND SY CSOOK. 
 
 that the object was the head and shoulders of a large 
 salmon of about 20 Ib. weight, which was heading up 
 stream at an easy pace, propelled by a force evidently 
 not supplied by his tail. 
 
 The head and back of the fish were heavily blotched 
 with marks of disease, which enabled us to recognize 
 him as one we had seen upon previous occasions lying 
 close to the bank at this spot. 
 
 The fish seemed absolutely powerless and held his 
 mouth wide open, which gave him an expression of abject 
 terror and helplessness which we shall not soon forget. 
 
 In this position he slowly pursued his way up stream 
 for aboiit 20 yards and then disappeared beneath the 
 surface without a struggle. 
 
 We remained on the look-out for five minutes or 
 more, when he reappeared in a similar manner about 
 40 yards higher up, and so continued until he arrived 
 at the neck of the stream just outside the strong water, 
 then for the last time disappeared. 
 
 Beyond all doubt an otter had seized him from behind 
 while lying under the bank, and had taken him in easy 
 stages up stream in the slack water, so that he might 
 utilize the stream to swing the fish across the river to 
 his stronghold on the opposite bank, upon which we 
 were standing. 
 
 We saw nothing further, which, however, was not 
 remarkable, as of course the prey would be dragged into 
 the den through the entrance under water. 
 
 Otters were known to inhabit the bank on our side.
 
 Fi.xr 
 
 FITTINGS FOR MINNOW BOX. 
 
 FLY BOX .
 
 A CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS. 225 
 
 During an idle day we carried out an idea of con- 
 verting two ready-made boxes into convenient recep- 
 tacles for flies and minnows, and they answered their 
 purposes so well that we must describe them. 
 
 The necessaries are as follows : 
 
 1. Two boxes of preserved plums (these nicely fit 
 
 the pocket). The boxes measure about 6 in. 
 X 4 in., and are marked in black stencil on 
 the lid " Carlsbad Plums," " Prepared in 
 Germany/" Cost Is. each. 
 
 2. 6 best wine corks, split lengthwise in two, 
 
 cost 4d. 
 
 3. 1 gross ^-inch screws, cost 5^d. 
 
 4. 2 sheets glass-paper, Nos. 2 and 1, cost Id. 
 
 5. Varnish, cost 2d. 
 
 Screw the top and bottom on to their respective sides, 
 then paper inside and out, taking care to remove the 
 lettering j cut slips of cork and screw them on to the 
 bottom, also fix two pieces on to the top and bottom sides 
 (to lodge the gut under) . Then varnish, and when dry 
 paper and varnish again. 
 
 The flies of course can be stuck into the cork at any 
 angle, but, if preferred, kerfs can be cut at intervals with 
 a fine saw to receive the hooks. 
 
 To fit up the inside of the box for minnows, cut corks 
 as shown in the diagram, glue and screw them down. 
 
 The slots in the cork to receive the minnows should 
 be cut at same angles as those of the body of the minnow, 
 and taper so as to bite the minnow and hold it firm. 
 
 Q
 
 226 BY HOOK AND SY CSOOK. 
 
 The boxes should be marked at one end to show how 
 the lid fits on, as although they are beautifully made 
 they are not perfect; and the lids had better be distin- 
 guished by F for flies and M for minnows. 
 
 They will carry respectively 20 salmon-flies and 4 
 minnows. 
 
 Taking the original contents of the boxes as good 
 value, the boxes themselves cost nothing, and thus fitted 
 cost 1*. the pair. They answer their purpose much 
 better than any steel or tin boxes, as they keep the 
 contents fixed inside, and, being of wood, will not cut 
 or " neck " any piece of gut that may by chance be left 
 hanging outside while the box is being closed. 
 
 SALMON SEIZED BY OTTER.
 
 [ 227 ] 
 
 CHAPTER XXIX. 
 
 A PRETTY KETTLE OF FISH. 
 
 WE were in an exceedingly pleasant humour one spring 
 morning, for the prospect of a week's leisure lay before 
 us, likewise the choice of two opportunities to fish for 
 salmon one an invite to a friend's house and river, the 
 other an offer of a ticket giving the right over a good 
 stretch of water in sight of a comfortable little Inn 
 capable of supplying the requirements of an angler. 
 
 The probabilities of sport at either river were about 
 equal, and we were prepared to stand ourselves a little 
 treat ; yet we were on the horns of a dilemma swayed 
 on the one side by visions of the pleasant companion- 
 ship of our host's household, the good things he would 
 have in store for us, and, last but not least, by the 
 advantage of private water. 
 
 On the other hand, the advantages of the freedom 
 and independence of the Inn were somewhat discounted 
 by the probability of having to compete with other rods, 
 and take our turn at the pools. 
 
 It was long before this knotty point was solved, until
 
 228 ST HOOK AND ST CKOOF. 
 
 post-time entailed a determination, when, for once in a 
 way, we selected the narrow path represented in this 
 case by the ticket and Inn. 
 
 With a lingering regret the refusal of our friend's 
 kind offer was dropped into the post-box, and we could 
 but console ourselves that no particle of constraint 
 would hinder operations we could rise, turn in, and 
 feed when we might wish. 
 
 We arrived the next evening in time to get the tackle 
 to rights for the following day, and ascertained that, 
 since our last visit, a possibility of sale oil portions of 
 the water, which the ticket included, had suggested to 
 some occupiers of land adjacent to the river to erect 
 notice-boards at frequent intervals, warning off tres- 
 passers in general and anglers in particular. 
 
 Upon inquiry at headquarters we ascertained that 
 the boundaries stated on the ticket still held good, and 
 were instructed to ignore the notices of the tenants 
 and others, who were said to be simply trying it on, 
 actuated by a policy by which they could lose nothing 
 and possibly gain ; so under the circumstances we did 
 not anticipate serious interference, and after a pipe and 
 glass with some of our old village friends in the kitchen 
 of the Inn, we turned in at a useful hour. 
 
 How keen is the angler to commence operations each 
 successive spring ! With appetite whetted by enforced 
 inactivity of the close season, he looks forward to the 
 opening day with as much anxiety as the schoolboy 
 does to the holidays while striking off from his calendar
 
 A PEETTY KETTLE OF FISH. 229 
 
 the remaining days of the term, and we dread the 
 season which will find us less keen. 
 
 The water was in fine order the following morning, 
 so we made an early start, and after a sharp walk 
 arrived at the first pool and were soon ready to commence 
 hostilities, wading across to an island, the fishing from 
 whose banks had previously been held to pertain to that 
 bank of the main stream which each faced. 
 
 But a change had come o'er the scene, for above the 
 heads of the gorse bushes strange timbers stood erect, 
 bearing on their faces in curt phrase the apparently 
 unnecessary information that what gave them support 
 was NOT ICE. 
 
 Tempted by curiosity to closer inspection of these, 
 we found that what we had taken to be a kindly warning 
 was in reality but the heading of a strange legend, 
 Avhich in precise terms threatened with severe penalties 
 those who might disregard its ruling. 
 
 We were fully determined to exercise the rights we 
 had purchased, so ignored this interference and walked 
 halfway up the island, where the catch commenced, 
 and started casting. 
 
 In a short space of time we had a fresh fish of 12 Ib. 
 on the bank, which was soon after joined by another 
 of 16 Ib. that gave a considerable amount of sport, 
 so we were fairly in it, and then conveyed them to the 
 mainland beyond the jurisdiction of any unfriendly 
 native. 
 
 There still remained unfished about thirty yards of
 
 230 BY HOOK AND BY CROOK. 
 
 the cast, so we retraced our steps to the foot of the 
 island, and had waded down nearly to the end of the 
 catch, when we became aware of a presence on the 
 bank, and upon facing round were greeted with a cheery 
 " good morning ! " followed by an inquiry as to what 
 sport we had experienced. 
 
 We replied " pretty fair," and continued casting, 
 noting that the new comer stood about 6ft. 3 in. in his 
 boots, which, topped with leather leggings and corduroy 
 breeches, gave him a particularly business-like appear- 
 ance, and imbued us with the idea that it would be 
 no pleasant job to take him on. 
 
 A few yards behind him stood a stout cob with a lad 
 on his back, which evidently had brought the visitors 
 over the ford, for the cob was the only wet-footed one 
 of the party. 
 
 Whatever might be the keeper's business, it seemed 
 to hang fire a bit and evidently was against the grain, 
 but after much hesitation out it came 
 
 " Sorry to disturb you, Sir ; but my orders are to 
 warn everyone off from fishing from the ilfrand." 
 
 We replied that we had liberty to fish from it, and 
 under such circumstances intended to enjoy the right 
 and exercise it. 
 
 " I'm only doing my duty, Sir," he replied ; " and if 
 anybody doesn't move off when he's warned, my orders 
 are to throw him in." 
 
 In a case like this it is much harder to deal with a 
 deputy than with a principal, as, after all, the deputy,
 
 A P HETTY KETTLE OF FISH. 231 
 
 whether right or wrong in the main question, is no 
 doubt but doing his duty to his employer; yet one 
 cannot afford to consider this ; so we replied that in 
 the event of his attempting to throw us in there 
 probably would be two persons with wet skins, adding 
 that, for the present, at all events, we were casting from 
 the bed of the river and not from the island. 
 
 This point seemed new to him, but after a few moments' 
 consideration he answered, " That doesn't count, for 
 you've got your back into our place " meaning that 
 we were casting towards our own shore. 
 
 By this time we had reached the end of the catch, 
 but in order to argue the matter out we cried, " Oh ! 
 it's quite immaterial to us if we cast face forwards, 
 or turn round and cast backwards over the shoulder ; 
 and if the latter will afford you any particular pleasure 
 we have no objection to humour you on this occasion ;" 
 and suiting the action to the word we quickly faced 
 about, hoisted the line in air and replaced it in the 
 stream. 
 
 It so chanced that the fly when at full length in the 
 air swished round just over the cob's head, who bucked 
 up and neatly laid the lad on his neck, then, astonished 
 at his achievement, stood still. 
 
 Fortunately the lad was righted, and so comic was 
 the incident that we all burst out laughing, in which 
 we were joined by a knot of idlers who had gathered 
 to see the fun from the opposite bank. 
 
 The keeper, with still a smile on his face, said, " That
 
 232 SY HOOK AND SY CROOK. 
 
 won't do, Sir !" but, as we had complied with all his 
 rules, was at wits' end to continue the argument ; how- 
 ever, as we moved on, remarking that for the day we 
 had finished with the pool, he suggested that should 
 we apply for leave it probably would be granted; but 
 this was not to the point, nor had we any desire to 
 assist in the establishment of rights claimed by his 
 employer. 
 
 The keeper was really a very good fellow, likewise 
 his master, and later on we all became the best of friends ; 
 yet this was hardly a pleasant commencement to the 
 week's fishing, but was nothing to what was to follow. 
 
 It was with a certain feeling of relief that we walked 
 down to the next pool, where certainly we should be 
 unmolested, and so were the fish as far as we were 
 concerned, for we did no execution with the big rod. 
 
 The midday sun now began to hatch out the fly, so 
 as the trout were popping up in all directions the little 
 rod was put up, and after an hour or so's work claimed 
 five or six brace of nice fish ; then, shortly after, the 
 rise ceased and we gave it up, as it is weary work 
 fishing " blind " for trout in early spring. 
 
 Leaving the trout-rod safe amongst the trees, we 
 made away down to the next salmon pool, having to 
 miss out | of a mile en route not included in the ticket, 
 and were strolling leisurely along with rod on shoulder, 
 congratulating ourselves that half the distance was 
 traversed, when our attention was arrested by shouts 
 emanating from an individual who was sawing the air
 
 A PRETTY KETTLE OF FISH. 233 
 
 by a windmill-like action of the arms, while standing 
 on the brow of an adjacent hill. 
 
 He was evidently in a state of unusual excitement, 
 but at the distance was quite inaudible ; yet there could 
 be no doubt that some action of our's was the cause of 
 his perturbation ; and such was the case, for during a 
 lull in the wind we managed to catch something about 
 having us " up at " (the nearest town) . 
 
 The hilly nature of the country was not adapted to 
 any rapid movement of this person's figure, which 
 appeared to be of the bulky order, and as, to tlfe best 
 of our belief, the right of angling also gives the right of 
 access, we pursued our way without wasting time to argue. 
 
 At length we gained the pool, but could make nothing 
 of it, as it was quite impossible to command the catches, 
 so we trudged on, and were just thinking what a fine 
 resting-place for a fresh fish would be that bit of stream 
 on the top of yon head, when up rose a big, fresh-run 
 fish, falling back with a splash which sent the eddies 
 to either bank. 
 
 With time and difficulty we managed to wade out 
 upon the ledges of rock until a fair cast could be ob- 
 tained, then got out the necessary length of line with- 
 out disturbance of the water, and shot the fly out a 
 few yards above and beyond him. 
 
 No laggard was this one, as he came first time with 
 haste, making a break on the surface but, alas ! only 
 to get hard pricked and scared for the day. Bad luck 
 indeed !
 
 234 BY HOOK AND BY CROOK. 
 
 We gained the bank and examined the hook, but no 
 fault was there ; then the splash of an oar fell on our 
 ears, and, looking up, we saw a boat being propelled 
 towards us from the opposite bank. 
 
 More trouble in store ! for we recognized the figure 
 which was now approaching us in waders as of one who 
 had, upon previous occasions, tried the scaring-off scheme 
 without success. 
 
 He said, in a tone none too civil, " I've warned you 
 
 off here many a time, Mr. , and if you won't go 
 
 I shall have to make you ;" adding, " the leave on your 
 ticket is neither here nor there ." 
 
 We told him that his opinion of our ticket did not 
 interest us, and that he might turn us off if he could, 
 upon which he contented himself with a long harangue 
 about " gentlemen," and nothing in particular. 
 
 He followed us down to the next pool, where we 
 killed a 10 Ib. fish under his eyes, which only produced 
 rather stronger language and a threat of legal pro- 
 ceedings, but none subsequently came. 
 
 It was now getting dark, so we gave up fishing, having 
 had not at all a bad day, in spite of trouble. 
 
 They evidently had leagued together in an attempt, 
 by annoyance and intimidation, to drive anglers from 
 the water; but we knew they neither dared to assault us 
 nor to take the initiative in any legal proceedings, so we 
 fished the week out with fair success, regardless of their 
 threats, which gradually ceased, as they were found to 
 be unavailing.
 
 A PRETTY KETTLE OF FISH. 
 
 235 
 
 This style of fishing was certainly not of the plea- 
 santest ; still, " All's well that ends well." 
 
 The right of fishing from the island was subsequently 
 relinquished by the authorities who issued the tickets ; 
 but whether because they had no right, or for other 
 considerations, we could not ascertain, but of course 
 we discontinued to fish from it. 
 
 GONE !
 
 [ 236 ] 
 
 CHAPTER XXX. 
 
 THE INSTINCT AND SENSES OF FISH. 
 
 THE element in which fish exist naturally renders 
 them more difficult of study than flesh or fowl ; never- 
 theless observation and experiment have cleared up 
 many disputed points, and have provided theories, 
 which although perhaps not at present accepted facts, 
 are pretty generally admitted. 
 
 Many a habit of fish seems marvellous and incom- 
 prehensible to the stranger, but intimacy and study 
 reveal the marvel in its true light, viz. a purely common- 
 sense action ; so, in attempting to elucidate matters, it 
 is well to remember this in preference to seeking a 
 more romantic theory. 
 
 Fish pay strict attention to sustaining themselves 
 and the reproduction of their kinds ; indeed, the males 
 of some kinds, if by accident they have no opportunity 
 to fertilize strictly kindred ova, will impregnate that 
 of other kinds of their own species, should they have 
 the chance.
 
 THE INSTINCT AND SENSES OF FISH. 237 
 
 We have yet to learn that Nature has imposed 
 upon fish any duty or desire of exploration, beyond 
 those requisite for food and reproduction. There 
 would not appear to be any particular reason why fish 
 should travel farther than necessary for their require- 
 ments ; so when they do travel far, the probable expla- 
 nation is that their requirements cannot be satisfied 
 nearer at hand. 
 
 It is established that, as a general rule, salmon re- 
 turn from the sea to the river in which they were bred, 
 or have subsequently spawned, which is by many con- 
 sidered a most curious trait ; but if it were ascertained 
 that fish during their visit to the sea remained in the 
 vicinity of the estuary, the coincidence would be 
 robbed of much that is marvellous. 
 
 By his sojourn in tidal waters the salmon loses the 
 parasites contracted in fresh water, and gains food to 
 give him condition and increase of size; so if it should 
 so happen that he can satisfy these requirements while 
 skirting the estuary, he possibly might feel disinclined 
 to wander farther afield. 
 
 When a creature is weak and in wasted condition, 
 great exertion is distasteful, restoration to health and 
 strength being the first prompting of nature. 
 
 The idea that salmon travel thousands of miles 
 between their periodical visits to fresh water, no doubt 
 is most romantic ; but for all that it may not be correct 
 as a general rule, although that occasionally they make
 
 238 SY HOOK AlfD BY CROOK. 
 
 long journeys has been proved, which, under certain 
 circumstances, may be obligatory or even accidental. 
 
 When it is considered how much lee way in point of 
 condition the kelt has to make up on return to salt 
 water, and his rapid growth while therein, a course of 
 comparative inactivity does not appear unreasonable. 
 
 As regards the sense of hearing of fish, in the absence 
 of discovery of aural structures, it is pretty generally 
 accepted that they possess no mechanism similar in con- 
 struction to the ear ; yet it is possible, even probable, 
 that they possess some organ susceptible to the effect 
 produced by concussion, and capable of conveying it 
 to the brain. 
 
 This structure, it is reasonable to assume, is delicate 
 in form, and, as has been suggested, may well be the 
 flat, independent bone situated on the top of the snout. 
 
 It may be doubted if this fan-shaped structure is 
 sufficiently delicate to record the transmittal by water 
 of wave-sounds such as those produced by the human 
 voice, and as upon occasions, when close to fish but 
 concealed from their view, we have shouted with no 
 effect, we question this possibility. 
 
 Concussion produced by bringing an object in con- 
 tact with water is another matter, and would be more 
 easily conveyed to the fish ; and as when, from a con- 
 cealed position, we have cast a heavy object into water 
 behind a fish he has responded, we cannot but think 
 that he was informed of the occurrence.
 
 THE INSTINCT AND SENSES OF FISH. 239 
 
 He may have seen the missile in air, it is true ; but 
 we think he did not, as the object was cast from 
 directly behind him and he did not shift until the 
 circle of disturbance reached him. 
 
 The power of sight in fish, if not more interesting, 
 is of the greatest importance to the angler, who, in 
 spite of all difficulties, must endeavour to appreciate it, 
 although he starts with the knowledge that the result 
 of his studies will be but mere guesswork, for the 
 simple season that the eye of man differs much from 
 that offish. 
 
 With the purpose of viewing a submerged object, a 
 man may place himself in the same position as fish; 
 but then he merely sees as he sees, not as do the fish ; 
 and the same result attends attempts to gain information 
 with the aid of glass-sided or glass-bottomed tanks, 
 yet some knowledge may be gained by such methods as 
 to the comparative invisibility of different materials and 
 colours. 
 
 By the action of the eye a picture is reproduced on 
 the retina, but beyond this there is little similarity 
 between the eye of man and fish ; for whereas the form 
 of the fish's is round, that of man's, although convex 
 on back and front surfaces, is much more so on the 
 former than on the latter. 
 
 This construction of the human eye affords the 
 means of almost instantaneous contraction and ex- 
 pansion of the lens, thus providing the ability to focus
 
 240 BY J1OOK AND BY CEOOK. 
 
 objects at various distances, a result which is achieved 
 in the telescope by varying the length of the tube, or, in 
 other words, the distance separating the glasses. 
 
 As proof of this, if the eye when employed with a 
 near object be suddenly lifted to another farther off, it 
 will be noted that a moment will be required to 
 correctly focus the new picture. 
 
 It is difficult to determine the range of a fish's 
 vision as regards submerged objects, for opportunities 
 of observation are of rare occurrence ; perhaps that 
 afforded by a bridge is as good as most, as the fish, 
 having become accustomed to the structure and its 
 traffic, behave in a natural manner. 
 
 From such observatories we have remarked that 
 natural or artificial flies do not attract the attention of 
 fish until within the range of a few feet, suggesting the 
 inference that they have no very extensive vision ; like- 
 wise they will remain stationary until the close ap- 
 proach of a boat, but they are easily shifted by a person 
 wading, unless he come upon them from behind. 
 
 When wading up stream to command a particular 
 catch we have accidently waded right over fish, and 
 have only become aware of the fact by their haste to 
 escape ; but fish see very badly any object approaching 
 from the rear, as their eyes are not set for the purpose, 
 and their habit is to watch for objects floating with the 
 stream. 
 
 The facility with which fish discern objects on or 
 above the surface of water is another matter, as doubt-
 
 THE INSTINCT AND SENSES OF FISH. 241 
 
 less in either case the position and power of light above 
 are more important factors than when the object is 
 immersed. 
 
 To the immersed human eye, when gazing upwards, 
 the surface, under certain conditions of light, appears 
 as of molten lead, impenetrable to the eye, and a some- 
 what similar effect is produced by a broken surface 
 both tending to impede the view of fish as regards 
 matters upon or near the surface ; and old anglers may 
 be heard to remark, that ' ( no good will be done with 
 that ' glint ' on the pool/' 
 
 A tray with glass bottom, placed upon rough water, 
 will reveal the position of any object, which previously 
 was hidden, by refraction of light. 
 
 When resting in heavy boiling water, fish either 
 cannot see, or, being intent on other business diverting 
 their attention, do not exercise the faculty against 
 objects above water; for upon many occasions while 
 standing at the foot of a fall we have, with a crooked 
 stick, lifted a salmon half out of the water without his 
 having given any signs of alarm, but when we ad- 
 vanced a few yards away he went. 
 
 Now, in consideration of the want of positive proof 
 as to the comparative invisibility to fish of materials of 
 various hues when immersed in water, the question 
 arises, Had we not better be guided by hints pro- 
 vided by nature ? 
 
 In these pages we have previously had occasion to 
 allude to the heron, and we must revert to him ; for, 
 
 R
 
 242 -BI" HOOK AND BY CROOK. 
 
 fisherman as he is, standing knee-deep and close upon 
 his prey, surely the colour of his legs and plumage 
 must be well adapted to his purpose ; so if the angler 
 reproduce these tones in his tackle he may be satisfied 
 that he is not far wrong. 
 
 Day after day the heron will frequent the same 
 spot, standing on almost the identical stone, motionless, 
 with neck only half stretched out across the stream, at 
 about an angle of 45 degrees, so that he may instantly 
 extend it. 
 
 He selects a position within reach of a spot offering 
 peculiar charms for his prey, and fishes, as it were, 
 c< up stream; " and as he claims each victim he knows 
 full well that another will soon supply the place of the 
 last. 
 
 In cold-blooded creatures the sense of feeling is of 
 very low grade, and if this were not so with fish they 
 would not offer such strenuous opposition when hooked, 
 in direct contrast to the behaviour of warm-blooded 
 animals, when controlled under like circumstances; 
 for instance, a bull with a ring or a horse with a twitch 
 on his nose. 
 
 Upon being grasped a fish is momentarily inactive, 
 but he soon overcomes the effect and strives for freedom. 
 That the sense of smell is enjoyed by fish is evidently 
 the belief of those who advertise for sale variously 
 scented oils, or, at all events, they must be of opinion 
 that others, whom they choose to designate as " sports- 
 men," hold such views.
 
 THE INSTINCT AND SENSES OF FISH. 243 
 
 It is a matter of difficulty to decide if fish possess 
 this sense, for although they may take with avidity 
 a natural bait, such as worm or insect, the sense of 
 sight may be sufficient to account for their acumen. 
 
 Animals and fish are supposed to claim a natural 
 food, but were the young not tutored by their seniors 
 it would probably take them some time to discriminate 
 between food wholesome or otherwise; yet fish will 
 readily seize such unusual food as gentles, and it may 
 well be argued that a sense over and above that of 
 sight prompts them so to do. 
 
 The use of salmon roe, we all know, is illegal in the 
 capture of fish ; but many of us have seen baskets of 
 trout, which could not have been taken by any other 
 bait, and some of us have seen fish taken with it in 
 out-of-the-way districts ; and there can be no doubt 
 that fish draw to it from afar, and we cannot but 
 think that they become aware of its presence by other 
 means than sense of sight ; these other means may be 
 correctly described as instinct, but we prefer to define 
 them as sense of smell. 
 
 Fish are quick to reject from their mouths articles 
 which they find unsuitable for food ; but a certain space 
 of time elapses before they spit them out, such as would 
 lead to the inference that the object had been examined 
 by the mouth and tongue. 
 
 We have seen fish take " necked " trout-flies when 
 cast on the water, then expel them under water to a 
 distance of six inches ; and although the hook w r ould
 
 244 SY HOOK AND BY CROOK. 
 
 likely enough apprise them of the deception, we think 
 that they "were warned by the sense of taste as well as 
 by that of touch. 
 
 It must be remembered that fish have no limbs with 
 which to test or experiment, so these duties entirely 
 fall on the mouth, the result being that, frequently, they 
 have to suffer for curiosity and misplaced confidence. 
 
 There is one exception, for occasionally a fish will 
 throw his body over an object with apparently no idea of 
 seizing it ; we have seen our fly or line repeatedly treated 
 in this manner for what reason, we have not the 
 slightest idea. 
 
 "We have also seen a fish, when hooked, fly to another, 
 apparently for assistance, and the fish thus appealed 
 to has jumped across our line, but whether by accident 
 or design it is impossible to say.
 
 X 
 
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 [ 245 ] 
 
 CHAPTER XXXI. 
 
 SAPEOLEGNIA FERAX. 
 
 THE magnitude of destruction wrought at the present 
 time by this scourge appears to be little appreciated by 
 others than those who unfortunately, iu one sense, 
 have its fatal results brought immediately before their 
 notice, or surely remedies would ere this have been 
 attempted. But no ! the authorities at headquarters 
 treat the disease with phlegmatic apathy, the Fishery 
 Boards confine their operations to interment of its 
 victims, and riparian proprietors do nothing what- 
 ever. 
 
 Under such circumstances it is not to be wondered 
 that the disease is yearly becoming more virulent, while 
 extending its deadly clutch. 
 
 Inspectors from time to time have visited the affected 
 districts with no further result, and the time has now 
 arrived when the value of many fisheries will be 
 seriously diminished unless drastic measures of reform 
 be very shortly put into operation.
 
 246 BY ROOK AND Y CROOK. 
 
 Rather more than twenty years ago a combination 
 of circumstances had so fostered the germ of this 
 disease that it had made sufficient progress to attract 
 serious attention, and from then until the present date 
 it has steadily and surely gained ground, so that during 
 the first three months of this year near upon 2000 
 salmon have been removed and buried by watchers and 
 keepers on the Sol way rivers alone, while many 
 thousands affected in a less degree have found their 
 way into the market to be consumed by the public, and 
 many others have died in the rivers, where they either 
 now remain or have been washed away. 
 
 The disease attacks clean fish and kelt alike, being 
 often contracted by the former when barely out of the 
 tide- way. Within a day or two after a flood, while the 
 water is yet thick, the presence of disease can be clearly 
 detected upon fresh-run fish as they leap above the 
 surface; a week later the majority become affected, and 
 within two weeks after a flood there is scarcely a fish 
 free from it. Fresh-run fish when first affected fre- 
 quent the swift-running streams as usual, then, as they 
 sicken, may be seen jumping and sliding, as it were, 
 upon the surface as if to allay irritation by friction, 
 flying about like mad things in fact the uninitiated 
 observer might imagine that the movements of one 
 were those of several, so ubiquitous are the move- 
 ments of the diseased fish. 
 
 Day by day? the fungus extends over their bodies 
 and they quit the streams for slacker water, until in
 
 SAPKOLEGNIA FEKAX, 247 
 
 the last stages six or more will lie side by side together 
 close in under the bank, little heeding the passer by. 
 
 In such predicament a fish will remain motionless for 
 half an hour at a time, when some sudden impulse 
 causes him to dash about as if scorched with a red-hot 
 iron. 
 
 The fungus first attacks the parts of the fish which 
 are unprotected by scales, such as the top of the snout, 
 back of the head, adipose fin, and tail ; thence it gradu- 
 ally extends until the entire body may be covered, 
 causing it to appear as if clothed in white cotton-wool. 
 Abrasions of the skin caused by accident are nearly 
 always assailed by the fungus. 
 
 The head is frequently attacked so severely that the 
 flesh is eaten away from the outside down to the teeth, 
 while the body is intact ; again, the growth may enter 
 the gills, when death quickly results. The disease 
 probably takes six weeks or more to entirely clothe a 
 fish ; but should it approach the gills, much less time 
 will suffice to destroy him, so, should there be a lengthy 
 interval between floods, many die. 
 
 A flood makes a clean sweep of diseased fish, for 
 the simple reason that they have not strength to 
 contend against its volume, so, fortunately, get carried 
 down to the salt water, which effects their cure; but 
 the indentations left by the fungus are apparent if 
 the fish be captured upon re-ascending the river, for 
 although the scale-covered parts are without blemish, 
 the parts of the head upon which the fungus previously
 
 248 SY HOOK AND SY CROOK. 
 
 existed now appear sunken below the natural level, and 
 are of a red colour, but healthy wounds. 
 
 It is unfortunate that the application of a rough 
 cloth will readily remove from the scales all trace of 
 the growth, but should the flesh be boiled its deep red 
 colour will reveal the late seat of disease. 
 
 During the first stages of the malady, when the spots 
 are no larger than a crown piece, a proportion of the 
 sufferers will take the artificial fly or minnow, but when 
 further advanced nothing will tempt them. 
 
 In addition to the injury to sport, a river thus affected 
 affords a distressing spectacle to the angler and admirer 
 of the salmon, which, instead of selecting the aerated 
 rushing streams, lies skulking under the banks, whose 
 upper surfaces have already been converted into one long 
 cemetery for others of his species, the frequent patches 
 of freshly laid turf bearing evidence of the work of 
 the gravedigger the watcher, while the occasional 
 dead carcasses lying at the bottom or edge of the water 
 pollute the stream and atmosphere. 
 
 Kelts are also affected by the disease and die in vast 
 numbers, but those caught towards the end of March 
 and later are mostly free from it, although captured in 
 pools which teem with diseased fresh-run fish; and as 
 these well-mended kelts have undoubtedly dropped 
 down from the uppermost waters, it clearly indicates 
 that in those parts the conditions are healthier, as they 
 are less densely inhabited. 
 
 It is a fact that an exceptionally heavy run of fish,
 
 SAPROLEGNIA IERAX. 249 
 
 such as that which occurred in the autumn of 1891 
 in the Solway rivers, is invariably followed by a cor- 
 responding increase of disease. 
 
 This fairly represents the present state of affairs, and 
 holds good to a minor extent as regards many other 
 rivers; in fact each successive season brings recruits 
 to the already long list of polluted waters. 
 
 When food material, such as beast or bird, is threat- 
 ened by disease, authorities or breeders at once take 
 steps to eradicate it, but in the case of fish it appears 
 to be no one's business or concern. 
 
 The proprietors of net-fishings in the lower and 
 middle waters see no cause for exertion, as by the assist- 
 ance of disease every fish in the pool can be counted 
 as gain, for while cowering by the banks half a dozen 
 can be secured in open daylight at one haul of the net, 
 which, after being wiped over with a cloth, command 
 as high a price as healthy fish, unless the head be 
 scarred, when a shilling or so per fish is knocked off for 
 the benefit of the retailer alone, as, in nine cases out of 
 ten, the consumer does not see the head, and would not 
 put the correct construction upon it if he did. 
 
 In consideration of the conditions which have so 
 favoured the increase and spread of the disease, it is 
 remarkable that it almost entirely exists in rivers 
 whose watersheds include large districts devoted to 
 agriculture, and it must be noted in what respect these 
 differ at the present day as compared with 20 or 30 
 years ago.
 
 250 BY HOOK AND BY CKOOK. 
 
 From various causes the farmer has turned to ac- 
 count every rood under his control, and with this object 
 has drained all low-lying swampy lands, so converting 
 hitherto wasted ground into productive soiL By this 
 process a fall of rain, which formerly took weeks to 
 filter into the river, now takes as many days, with the 
 result that a flood which maintained the river in angling 
 trim for a space of three weeks, now scarcely provides 
 a week running off as from a duck's back. 
 
 It follows that the general volume of water in a 
 river is much less than formerly, and it would appear 
 that fish have one third of the time in which to run up 
 and surmount obstructions ; but such is not in reality 
 the case, as in many instances the abnormal height of 
 the water at the commencement of a flood actually pre- 
 vents the fish negotiating obstructions, and compels 
 them to await a subsidence ; thus their running periods 
 are curtailed at the commencement and end of a flood. 
 
 It results that the fish are confined to a smaller area 
 than was formerly the case, while they are more strictly 
 protected by law with the object of increasing their 
 numbers. 
 
 To eradicate, or at any rate to reduce, the sway of 
 disease, one of two methods must be adopted : viz., 
 either allow more fish to be taken, by the repeal of 
 laws now in existence governing the capture of clean 
 fish or kelt, or both or else allow the fish more scope 
 in the river. 
 
 The latter method, naturally, is the more advantageous,
 
 SAPBOLEGNIA FEE AX. 251 
 
 but more complicated and expensive at the outset; 
 yet it should be given every assistance by the upper 
 proprietors, for by it the fish, which under existing 
 circumstances are in great measure wasted, would 
 be converted into gain to them. 
 
 The cost of carrying out such a scheme would 
 necessarily vary upon different rivers, for, in some, 
 miles upon miles of little inhabited water could be 
 opened up at the expense of a ten-pound note ; while 
 upon others, cauls with fish-passes would have to be 
 constructed and even artificial lakes made ; but sooner 
 or later such work will have to be undertaken, simply 
 to compensate for excessive drainage. 
 
 It is sometimes objected that spring fish are not so 
 keen to surmount obstacles as the autumn fish, and 
 seem satisfied to remain in the lower waters ; but this 
 is all the more reason why every means should be 
 adopted to induce them to ascend by the assistance of 
 easy passes. 
 
 Trout affected by the disease are frequently observed, 
 and should this increase, the result will be even more 
 disastrous than in the case of salmon, for trout make 
 no voyage to salt water, the only natural cure. 
 
 The presence of disease in a river also attracts the 
 loafer for obvious reasons, who perambulates any right- 
 of-way along the banks which under ordinary circum- 
 stances has no charm for him. If he were to confine 
 his attentions to the diseased fish, not much objection 
 would be taken to him ; but unfortunately he is often
 
 252 BY HOOK AND BY CSOOS:. 
 
 of a class which attaches no distinct meaning to the 
 words meum and tuum, as regards fresh fish, game eggs, 
 and tackle. 
 
 In this connection an amusing episode occurred : 
 
 Two such gentlemen marked, from afar, a watcher 
 take and bury a diseased fish ; later on, when the coast 
 was clear, they visited the spot with the object of re- 
 covering the fish, . but found to their disappointment 
 only the head and tail, the watcher having taken the 
 middle piece with him. 
 
 By reason of the long drought throughout the spring 
 of 1892, the disease, in addition to having played un- 
 precedented havoc among salmon, has realized the worst 
 fears, by having extended to the yellow trout, w r hich 
 have been found in large numbers, dead or dying, more 
 or less covered with the fungus, and in both of these 
 conditions have been removed with the landing-net. 
 
 With the exception of a few injured by trout-hooks, 
 the smolts appear to have escaped the visitation, and as 
 by this time (25th April) they in the mid-reaches are 
 those which have descended from the upper waters, it 
 would appear that the latter districts are little, if at 
 all, infected. 
 
 The following is an instance of the ignorance of 
 Conservators as to the state of affairs in the rivers over 
 whose destinies they preside, and of the puerile, flip- 
 pant manner in which they dismiss the subject of 
 disease. 
 
 The quarterly meeting of " The Conservators "
 
 SAPROLE&NIA FEItAX. 253 
 
 was reported by the press, and the Board stated " that 
 " the salmon disease had of late much increased, but 
 " spring fish had not been affected to any great extent, 
 " a large number of the early -run fish having dropped 
 " back to the sea." 
 
 Probably many fish in the lowest waters had dropped 
 back to the sea, but, at the time this report was read, in 
 the middle waters as many as 20 diseased spring-fish 
 could be seen in one pool alone, and in about 4 miles 
 of water it is no exaggeration to say that hundreds were 
 observed lying together, in batches of 7 to 10, in slack 
 water by the banks. As they became blind by the 
 fungus the majority fell an easy prey to poachers, who 
 reaped a rare harvest. 
 
 A member of the Board realized the necessity of 
 grappling with the disease, and suggested " that the 
 " committee should give their serious attention to the 
 " desirability of stamping out the salmon disease." 
 
 This suggestion, however, was derided by another 
 member, who countered with the remark, " that they 
 " should appoint a committee to send a flood down; " 
 and with this inanely frivolous speech " the subject 
 dropped." Apart from the levity of the remark, the 
 latter speaker demonstrated his ignorance of the subject 
 under consideration, being apparently unaware that the 
 remedy he facetiously alluded to had been applied, 
 without success, by nature throughout the last five-and- 
 twenty years. 
 . Under the present conditions of infected rivers a
 
 254 J5F HOOK AND SY CEOOK. 
 
 flood simply sweeps away the diseased fish, but within 
 a few days the malady reappears. 
 
 When the health of human beings or animals is 
 ascertained to be injured by overcrowding or defective 
 sanitary arrangements; not only are endeavours made 
 to cure the sufferers, but precautions are taken to pre- 
 vent the repetition of the initial causes of the evil, by 
 the correction of defects. 
 
 It is impossible to gauge the extent to which the 
 present stock of trout may be affected in the near 
 future, and it must be apparent that their non-migratory 
 habits deprive them of the same natural means of 
 recovery as is possessed by salmon ; so, in all probability, 
 each fish attacked dies.
 
 [ 255 ] 
 CHAPTER XXXII. 
 
 TIDAL WATEE8. 
 
 IT may occasionally be the angler's lot to fish for 
 salmon or sea-trout in tidal waters, when the following 
 patterns of imitation sea-shrimp will be of service in 
 the vicinity of rushes or weeds growing about narrow 
 channels the last of the ebb being the most likely 
 time. 
 
 Hook. Small salmon size. 
 
 Body. Yellow stained whole quill. 
 
 Tinsel. Medium silver oval braid, with black silk 
 
 twist behind. 
 Hackle. Black Cock's. 
 Tail. Points of black, or yellowish-brown Cock's 
 
 hackle. 
 The tail must not extend beyond bend of the hook. 
 
 FINIS.
 
 PR1NTKD BY TAYLOR AND FRANCIS 
 ItKl) LION COURT, FLEET STREET.
 
 A 000146042 7 
 
 4,0