m 
 
 
 GEO.M. KELSON 
 
GENERAL 
 LIBRARY 
 
 MNIVtUITY Or 
 CMIKMNU 
 
 er 
 

ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
 
 T. BURBERRY & SONS' 
 
 PATENT 
 
 GABARDINE 
 COMBINATIONS 
 
 (OUTSIDE GABARDINE INSIDE TWEED.) 
 
 AFFORD 
 
 PERFECT PROTECTION 
 
 AGAINST 
 
 RAIN, WIND, OR SNOW, 
 THORNS & FISHHOOKS. 
 
 ARE 
 
 COOL & COMFORTABLE. 
 
 IN 
 
 NEUTRAL COLOURS, 
 
 AND MADE IN 
 
 FREE FITTING STYLES. 
 
 THEY FORM IDEAL 
 
 SPORTING SUITS. 
 
 UNEQUALLED IN 
 ADAPTABILITY FOR 
 
 FISHING, SHOOTING, 
 GOLF or COLONIAL WEAR. 
 
 It is the ONE PLAN and forms the 
 ONE EQUIPMENT for all Weathers 
 
 "WEATHERPROOF KIT." 
 
 Burberry * Sons' Catalogue, containing 80 pages 
 and 150 Illustrations, Post Free. 
 
 BURBERRY & SONS, 
 
 LONDON: 30, HAYMARKET,S,W., 
 BASINGSTOKE, 
 
 Extract from letter dated December 3irf, 1895 : 
 
 " I have had several Gabardine garments and for 
 rough work and comfort there is nothing like them 
 One coat in part iculnr. which is lined with Came 
 Hair, has been a friend in need many a time. 
 
 "G. C. DAVIS. 
 
THE SALMON FLY 
 
THE 
 
 SALMON FLY: 
 
 HOW TO DRESS IT 
 
 AND 
 
 HOW TO USE IT. 
 
 BY 
 
 GEO. M. KELSON. 
 
 (Bmiiuat (5loriam. 
 
 LONDON : 
 PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR. 
 
 c / MESSRS. WYMAN & SONS, LIMITED, 63, CARTER LANE, E.G. 
 
 (ALL BIGHTS RESERVED.) 
 1895. 
 
WYJIAN & SONS, LIXITED, 
 
 PEINTEBS, 
 
 CABTEB LANE, DOCTOKS' COMMONS, 
 LONDON, ENGLAND. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY. 
 
 CHAPTER IJ. SALMON FLIES: THEIR KINDS, QUALITIES AND MATERIALS. 
 
 CHAPTER III. SALMON FLIES: How TO "DRESS" THEM. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. A LIST OF STANDARD FLIES, WITH THEIR "DRESSINGS." 
 
 CHAPTER V. THE CHOICE OF FLIES. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. THE ROD AND SPECIAL EQUIPMENTS. 
 
 (1) The Rod. (2) The Line. 
 
 (3) The Winch. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. THE ROD AT THE RIVERSIDE. 
 The various methods of Casting, illustrated, &c., &c. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. MISCELLANEOUS. 
 
 (1) Silkworm Gut. (4) The Necklace. 
 
 (2) Knots. (5) Fly Boxes. 
 
 43) Twisting Gut for Loops. (6) The Opening Seasons, &c. 
 
 M843072 
 
INDEX. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 A Salmon's holiday ... ... ... 245 
 
 Air-pump, The 304 
 
 "Abb" Socks 433 
 
 Angler, his Manner at the riverside ... '2-Ki 
 
 Advice, Caution against taking ... 233 
 
 Art and Science ... ... ... ... 3 
 
 Atmosphere ... ... ... ... 391 
 
 Bodies, Mr. Field's departure in Body 
 
 Material ... ... ... ... 41 
 
 Butts 40 
 
 Bodies 40,41 
 
 Boxes 450 
 
 " Book on Angling," The 13 
 
 Body-belt 407 
 
 Cast, The Overhand 316 
 
 Cobblers' Wax 5,31 
 
 Chenilles 41 
 
 Clarified Oil 305 
 
 Colour, Location and distribution of ... 30 
 
 Chatterer vermin Kingfisher ... ... 30 
 
 Casting, where different methods are 
 
 wanted 282 
 
 Costume of H.R.H. the Princess of 
 
 Wales and her Daughters 430 
 
 Cast, The Underhand 327 
 
 Cast, The Spey 334 
 
 Casting ... ... ... ... ... 2 
 
 Close Seasons, Licences, etc. ... 465 to 510 
 
 Catches, Artificial ... ... ... 405 
 
 Dyes 44 
 
 Dyes, Toning down ... ... ... 29 
 
 Dressers, Professional 251 
 
 Days, Dark 244 
 
 Direction to Cast ... ... ... 379 
 
 Delicacy in Casting 394 
 
 " Exaggerations " ... 25 and 26fi to 'J7"> 
 
 Experiments, Results of ... ... 7 
 
 Experiments, Personal 6 
 
 Flies, Conditions to be studied for the 
 
 Invention of... ... ... ... ! 
 
 Flies, Guide Books for Dressers ... 12 
 Flies, General and Special Patterns of 14 
 Flies, The pleasure of dressing ... H 
 
 Flies, The test before use of 25 
 
 Flies, Classification of ... ... ... 19 
 
 Fly-fishing, Benefits derived from ... 10 
 Fly -dressing, A common illustration of 11 
 Flies, How to get Life-like motion 
 
 outof 2H 
 
 Flies, Different effects of ... ... 7 
 
 Flies, Advantage of technical know- 
 ledge of '. 
 
 Flies, Necessary qualities in ... ... 23 
 
 Flies, Strength and Symmetry in 24, 25 
 Flies, Untutored description of ... 9 
 Feathers, Groups of 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57 
 
 Flip Cast 371 to 374 
 
 Flies, Long-hackled ... ... ... 242 
 
 Flies in Use, Rotation of 235 
 
 Flaked water 23S 
 
 Fish, "Grubbing ' 33 
 
 fiMng (laittte, The 37 
 
 French Floss-silk 41 
 
 Facts and Fancies in Fly-fishing 259 to 2<W> 
 Flies, How to choose ... ... 227 to 271V 
 
 Flies, How to dress 59 to 105 
 
 Fly, New style of 241 
 
 Flies, Old types of >5 
 
 Feathers, Choice and location of ... 51 
 Ferrules . i'.HV 
 
INDEX. 
 
 PAI1K 
 
 Flics, The Colours of 251 
 
 Flies, How to avoid " snicking " off 323 
 
 Fiddling ... ... 325 
 
 Feathers, How to re-shape and bleach 457 
 
 False Casts, Making 322 
 
 Flies, Characteristics of 29 
 
 Flies, Harmony of Colour and of 
 
 Contrast 30 
 
 Feathers that do not fade 29 
 
 Feathers, Translucent remix Opaque 30 
 
 Flies, The effect of Tinsels and Butts 30 
 
 Flies, Remarks on colour of ... ... 29 
 
 Fly, Presenting the 417 
 
 Flies, One's own invention of ... ... 9 
 
 Flies, Kinds, Qualities, and Materials 16 
 
 Flies, Fallacy of using false feathers 26 
 
 Flies, The choice of ... ... ... 5 
 
 Flies, Features of 27 
 
 Flies, Advice on making Xondescripts 14 
 
 Flies, Proportion of shape 25 
 
 Flies, Nomenclature of Parts ... ... Ifi 
 
 Flies, Diagnosis of 9 
 
 Flies, Movement in some parts of ... 7 
 
 Fly, Analytical diagram of ... ... 17 
 
 Flies, Explanation of parts of 18 
 
 Flies, The variation of 8 
 
 Flies, Advantage derived from a 
 
 proper description of ... ... 10 
 
 Flies, Comparison between Salmon and 
 
 Trout 18 
 
 Flies, Types of 19, 20, 21, 22 
 
 Greenheart 281 
 
 Gut-loops 38 
 
 Glen Grant, Opinions of 336 
 
 Out, Twisting 443 
 
 Grubs, Opinion on 245 
 
 Gut 434 
 
 Gut, Knotting and attaching 441 
 
 Gut-loops, Whipping of ... ... 25 
 
 Governor Cast 358 to 362 
 
 Glossary 433 
 
 Hooks, Double 36, 37 
 
 Hackles, Old and new, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48 
 
 Hook, The 32 
 
 Hints on amount of Tying- silk ... 25 
 
 Hearing under- water ... ... ... 7 
 
 Hackles, The play of 7 
 
 Hats, Waterproofing ... ... ... 460 
 
 How to discover lost articles in water 460 
 
 Hooking Foul 395 
 
 .Jackets 430, 432 
 
 " Jock Scott," The reputation of ... 230 
 
 Knife, The Fisherman's 459 
 
 " Kelson " Rod, Experiences with the 286 
 
 "Kimagas" 428 
 
 Loops, Gut rerxiM Metal ... ... 36 
 
 Lines, Dressing 302 
 
 Lines, Splicing or " marrying'' ... 302 
 
 Line, Length of the whole 297 
 
 Line, Qualities of the 293 
 
 Lines 291 
 
 Light, Reflected 244 
 
 Lines, Plaiting rerun* twisting ... 296 
 
 Line, Clearing it from " snags" ... 419 
 
 Lines, " Kelson Enamelled " .. ... 296 
 
 Leather preservative 460 
 
 Lines, Cure for stickiness of ... ... 460 
 
 Mending a Cast 292 
 
 ' ' Modifications " 274 to 276 
 
 Midges and Mosqnitos, Antidote for... 460 
 
 Observation, The field of 3 
 
 Principles, Confirmation of ... 233, 234 
 
 " Pull," The line of, explained ... 34 
 
 " Pull," The, illustrated 3*5 
 
 Pig's wool, Management of 4O 
 
 " Pull," The line of 32,33 
 
 Patent lever winch ... ... ... 309 
 
 Patterns, Decided 250 
 
 Pig's wool 244 
 
 ' ' Playing " ami ' ' Gaffing " 418 
 
 Physical conditions 249 
 
 Principles, The application of... ... 4 
 
 Principles, Singular confirmation of ... 233 
 
 Places to fish 381 
 
 Presentation 385, 400 
 
 Quick-sand, How to get clear of ... 42!) 
 
 Riverside, Scene at the 313 
 
 Ribbings 41, 42 
 
 Rod, The best style of 279 
 
 Rod, The " Traherne " 285 
 
 Rod, The 277 
 
 Rod, The "Kelson" 285 
 
 Rods, Weights of 28!> 
 
 Rods, Woods and other materials for 287 
 Rods, Upward and downward curve 
 
 in 330,332 
 
 Rod, The recovery of a 323 
 
 Rods (Spey), length remit* strength ... 33O 
 
vni 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Rods, "Straining" 
 Rods, " Racking " 
 
 Rod 
 
 Rules of Thumb 
 
 Rain 
 
 Silicon, The use of 
 Standard patterns 
 .System, How it is upset 
 Salmon, The 
 
 1WI1K 
 
 291, 330 
 
 .. 291 
 
 5 
 
 2 
 
 ... 389 
 
 ... 42 
 
 106 to 223 
 
 ... 237 
 
 315 
 
 Sulky fish, The possibility of moving 
 
 235, 401 
 
 Silver Monkey 40 
 
 Sun-flies -'.->3 
 
 Striking Salmon 37 
 
 Snowwater ... .. ... ... 241 
 
 Standard colours 31 
 
 Silks, The best of 31 
 
 " Sateen " for waders 427 
 
 "Shooting" 324 
 
 Salmon, Why they take flies ... 253, etc. 
 
 Systematic Fishermen, Advantages of 2 
 
 Systematise*! knowledge 8 
 
 Salmon, Peculiarities of disposition of 24 
 
 Science cef*#M* Chance ... ... ... 3 
 
 Salmon, "Setting up"... 401 
 
 Science, The road to 3 
 
 Sun, Effects of 7 
 
 Salmon, Habits and tastes of 5 
 
 Sun-flies 15 
 
 System, The need of ... ... ... 1 
 
 Salmon-fishing as a recreation 11 
 
 System rti'-ittx Chance ... ... ... 5 
 
 Salmon obey fixed laws 6 
 
 PAW 
 
 Salmon, Education of ... ... 13, 15 
 
 Salmon, How changes of taste occur... 13 
 
 Spey Cast 337 to 349 
 
 Switch Cast 362 to 371 
 
 Stone-grubber, The 403 
 
 Striking 409 to 417 
 
 Tag, The 38, 39 
 
 Tail, The 39 
 
 Tag, Varieties followed by the Trade 39 
 
 Thunder, Effect of 239 
 
 Tweed, The ; " presentation " and 
 
 "striking" ...' ... ... ... 38 
 
 Temperature 24n 
 
 Terms and Expressions, Glossary of ... 433 
 " The Little Inky-boy," When to use 231 
 
 Trees 400 
 
 Unknown agencies at work 246 
 
 Underlying principles ... ... ... 2 
 
 Vice, The 49 
 
 What is a Salmon-fly ? 254 
 
 Weather 238, 247, 387 
 
 Water, Dark 240 
 
 Winch, The 307 
 
 Wind, Ill-effect of 323 
 
 Winch, The " Moscrop " 312 
 
 Winch, Origin of the Patent Lever ... 308 
 
 Winch, " Sun and Planet " 312 
 
 Wading 329, 426 
 
 Waders, How to keep well in 429 
 
 Winch, Holbrows 312 
 
 Waxing silk ... ... ... ... 4 
 
 Wings, Types of 23 
 
 Wind Cast 349 to 337 
 
ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 Analytical Diagram of a Fly ... 
 Whole feather- winged Fly ... .. 
 
 Topping- winged Fly 
 
 Strip- winged Fly 
 
 Built- winged Fly 
 
 Mixed-winged Fly ... ... ., 
 
 A combination of the preceding types 
 A wingless pattern (Grub) ... ... 
 
 Improved Limerick hook 
 
 The "Pull" 
 
 Hackles . 
 
 PAGE 
 17 
 
 19 
 20 
 20 
 20 
 21 
 21 
 
 . 22 
 . 32 
 . 35 
 45, 46 
 
 Splitting the Jay 49 
 
 The "Stop" 66 
 
 The "Catch" 67 
 
 Nipping the loop... ... ... ... 69 
 
 Instruction Fly 71 
 
 Instruction Fly 7.5,82,89,91,93 
 
 The Stop and the Catch 77 
 
 Doubling the Hackle "8 
 
 Spinning Seal's fur 80 
 
 Mixed Wings 93 
 
 New method of fixing mixed wings ... 95 
 
 Instruction Fly 96 
 
 "Humping" 9" 
 
 Double white-winged Fly ... ... 241 
 
 Greenheart logs ... ... ... ... 281 
 
 The Line Drier 298 
 
 Mr. W. Wells-Ridley, J.P 300 
 
 Splicing Lines 302 
 
 The Air-pump 306 
 
 The Winch 309, 311 
 
 The Overhand Cast 317 
 
 Major Traherne 321 
 
 On " shooting " line 324 
 
 Mr. Henry Kclsall 326 
 
 The Underhand Cast 328 
 
 Colonel Rocke ... . 331 
 
 Major and Mrs. Grant ... 
 
 The Spey Cast 
 
 Mr. Henry J. Davis 
 
 The Wind Cast 
 
 Action of the wrist 
 The Governor Cast 
 Mr. Barclay Field 
 
 The Switch Cast 
 
 Hon. Sir Ford North ... 
 Mr. F. M. MacKenzie ... 
 
 The Flip Cast 
 
 Direction of a Cast 
 Water Gauge 
 
 The Dancer 
 
 Mr. L. J. Graham-Clarke 
 
 The Gaff 
 
 Correct method of Gaffing 
 
 Inconect method of Gaffing . 
 
 Waterproof Jacket 
 
 (Jut Manufactory at Murcia 
 
 The Silk-worm ... 
 
 Gut Stores at Redditch... 
 
 Knotting Gut 
 
 Knotting Gut to loop ... 
 Twisting Engine... 
 Splicing Machine . . 
 
 The Frail 
 
 Tying up Salmon 
 
 The " Quicksure " Net ... 
 
 The Necklace 
 
 Mr. J. C. Haslam, of Carlogie . 
 Mr. R. W. Cooke-Taylor 
 Miss Kelson and her gillie 
 
 Fly Boxes 
 
 Fisherman's knife 
 Specimen Fish ... 
 Limerick Hooks ... 
 
 ... 335 
 338, 339, 340 
 
 ... 351 
 
 ... 354 
 
 ... 355 
 
 ... 361 
 
 ... 363 
 
 :W(i, 367 
 
 ... 369 
 
 ... 373 
 
 . . . 375 
 
 ... 378 
 
 ... 393 
 
 ... 397 
 
 ... 403 
 
 ... 421 
 
 ... 423 
 
 ... 424 
 
 . 432 
 
 ... 435 
 
 ... 437 
 
 ... 439 
 
 ... 441 
 
 ... 442 
 
 ... 443 
 
 ... 444 
 
 ... 446 
 
 ... 447 
 
 ... 448 
 
 ... 449 
 
 ... 451 
 
 ... 453 
 
 ... 455 
 458, 459 
 
 ... 459 
 
 ... 461 
 464 
 
COLOURED PLATES. 
 
 PLATE I. 
 
 l-.M'IMi I'.UiK 
 
 32 
 
 The Black Ranger. 
 Britannia. 
 Tlie Champion. 
 The Infallible. 
 Jock Scott. 
 The Black Dose. 
 
 PLATE II. 
 
 80 
 
 Thunder and Lightning. 
 The Lion. 
 The Baron. 
 The Harlequin. 
 John Ferguson. 
 The Silver Doctor. 
 
 PLATE III. 
 
 1-28 
 
 The Dirty Orange. 
 
 The Dawson. 
 
 The Durham Ranger. 
 
 Benchill. 
 
 Taite's Fancy. 
 
 The Wilson. 
 
 PLATE IV. 
 
 176 
 
 Bluebell. 
 
 The Chatterer. 
 
 The Dandy. 
 
 The Captain. 
 
 (ireenwell. 
 
 Beaconsfield. 
 
 I'.U'IM; PAliB 
 
 1'I.ATE V. 
 
 Rocke's Fancy. 
 The Silver Grey. 
 The Popham. 
 The Butcher. 
 Stevenson. 
 John Campbell. 
 
 224 
 
 Pl,ATK VI. 
 
 The Gordon. 
 Traherne's Wonder. 
 The Silver Ardea. 
 Childers. 
 The Cockatoo. 
 Nankeen. 
 
 27-2 
 
 PLATE VII 
 
 The Wasp Grub. 
 
 The Hop Dog. 
 
 The Blue Boyne. 
 
 Lome. 
 
 Louise. 
 
 The Ghost. 
 
 Bo-peep. 
 
 The Inver Green. 
 
 330 
 
 PLATE VIII 
 
 Rocke's Grub. 
 The Mystery. 
 St. Bernard. 
 Beauly Snow Fly. 
 The Fairy King. 
 The Little Kelly. 
 Skirrow's Fan<y. 
 The Bronze Pirate. 
 
 4(H) 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 THIS book is published " by request." It aims at filling up a gap in 
 angling literature, and is designed to stamp out the common fallacy that 
 no one can learn how to make a fly " from written instructions." In 
 truth, I know of no volume on the subject at all sufficiently clear, 
 instructive or exhaustive. 
 
 In illustration of the leading statement I may perhaps be allowed to 
 quote the following from amongst many similar requests made to me : 
 " I envy your being able to tie such flies," says a well-known Angler, in 
 a letter dated 1888, " Tell me how you get the silk body so even. . . . 
 You certainly turn out the best fly I ever saw and I hope some day to 
 see you at work. Why do you not write a plain, concise, little book on 
 the subject? Think over this." So I thought over it. 
 
 Onerous editorial duties stood in the way of my accepting many such 
 written and oral promptings, but finally a friend's offer of assistance 
 induced me to assume the task. I acknowledge my great obligations to 
 the late Mr. A. H. Gribble for the part he was able to take in the 
 mechanical details of fly-" tying," for, as his Mentor, I have, I believe, 
 been able to achieve a success in fly-dressing with novices in a way that 
 has not hitherto been compassed. During the progress of instruction in 
 the art of "dressing," for which other than personal lessons have seemed 
 inadequate, the opportunity was carefully taken to make notes in detail 
 of the measurements, manipulation and methods employed to avoid or 
 lessen the obstructions in the novice's road to excellence. The notes 
 were all new to my friend ; for me they had an unexpected value ; and 
 whoever, from practice through long years, has eyes to observe, and 
 fingers to make short work of the minutiae of fly-" tying," will readily 
 
Xll PREFACE. 
 
 understand that without them I must have failed to appreciate and 
 make due provision for many little ensnaring but exasperating difficulties 
 that lie in wait for the learner. 
 
 An adept's familiarity with an art may lead him to contemn, if not 
 overlook, many little matters that make it impossible to the uninitiated. 
 And as this fact was gradually brought to my mind, it opened a wide view 
 of the task before me and laid bare a long vista of minor particulars need- 
 ful to explain, if I would guide others of less experience than myself. 
 
 I have, however, not been deterred by that view-, nor ceased to keep 
 to my first intention to produce an original manual, useful to refer to on 
 practical matters, which have not suitably, certainly not similarly, been 
 dealt with by previous writers. I may seem now and then over didactic, 
 but any veteran who may honour my text by reading it, will easily forgive 
 me, when remembering that I write also for the novice in Salmon-capture. 
 If, in wading through deep and undefined problems, I seem to be tediously 
 slow and unentertaining, it will be without any profession to avoid dry- 
 ness. I foreswear, for the purpose of these pages, all that may be 
 hurriedly gathered from the Catalogues of our leading " fishing-tackle " 
 makers. My programme embraces so much that is technical and 
 mechanical that I should rather endeavour to please by instructing, 
 than to instruct by pleasing. A Vade mecum as light in weight and writing 
 as may be, a " handbook " full of information, direct, reliable, condensed, 
 and strictly intent on business, is what I wish to offer to the public. 
 
 Although it may not be considered satisfactory that such a course 
 should have been deemed necessary, I have ventured, with all due 
 deference, quietly to point out where our technical expressions and 
 piinciples have been misunderstood and misapplied. The gravity of the 
 position is thoroughly realised. But in such an undertaking there may 
 be very considerable advantages, and that seems to render the 
 responsibility unavoidable. In any case I am animated by one feeling, 
 and one feeling only ; and that is by a real and natural desire to explain 
 
PEEFACE. Xlll 
 
 the true sense of my own special terms, which, unfortunately, have been 
 sadly diverted in recent literature from their original meaning. So wide 
 and opposite have been the ideas conveyed, that Anglers above the 
 average have been hindered from doing justice to themselves by inability 
 to understand them. This being the case, it may be gently hinted that 
 the drawing of false conclusions from just principles has been no less 
 injurious to the unenlightened than the untold evil of drawing just 
 conclusions from false principles. 
 
 Not the least important measure in connection with my own 
 improvements in " tackle," is that which refers to the Patent Lever 
 Winch. This article, I can promise, will make a vast difference in 
 anyone's annual fishing record. But I should wish to state that I derive 
 no pecuniary gain from praising it, or, in fact, from the sale of any tackle 
 associated with my name. 
 
 As many of our standard flies are not generally known, and as the 
 dresser frequently goes wrong, both as to their colour and material, a long 
 list of them is given in Chapter IV., and each pattern is precisely described 
 for the dresser's guidance. In order that the collection may be readily 
 consulted, the flies are alphabetically arranged. With a few exceptions, 
 the name of the inventor is published, together with the rivers wherein I 
 have known each fly to kill the most fish. And it is presumed that this 
 list, including, as it does, not only "general," but "special," standards, 
 will prove useful to the whole body of Salmon-fishermen. 
 
 Being naturally desirous of enlisting on behalf of my views and 
 methods every circumstance that can lend them weight, I freely own to 
 the confidence inspired by the honour done me in making me a Juror at 
 the Fisheries Exhibition of 1883, and by the unstinted appreciation 
 accorded to a small case of Salmon-flies exhibited by me there. The 
 same case of flies won me the first prize both at Berlin and Norwich, at 
 which places I was not disqualified by office from exhibiting as a com- 
 petitor. Nor can I leave unrecorded the appreciation of Fishermen 
 
XIV PREF.UK. 
 
 generally, which I have enjoyed during the whole time of my connection 
 with the press hoth as contributor and as Editor. 
 
 How far my success as a Fisherman has been due to inheritance from 
 generations of Salmon-anglers, is a question outside the scope of such a 
 book as this ; but I should like its pages to record some words in memory 
 of my late Father and Grandfather, to whom I owe my earliest and much 
 subsequent information on matters pertaining to the sport. 
 
 As a conclusion to these prefatory observations I have convincing 
 evidence that the diligent application of nay methods and directions 
 suffices for the education of an accomplished " fly-dresser." The case of 
 my friend Mr. Gribble is sufficient example ; and it emboldens me 
 greatly in submitting this book to the supreme judgment and test of 
 brother Salmon-anglers. 
 
 It would be unbecoming to anticipate criticism. We all perceive 
 how nearly impossible it is that persons should feel and think alike upon 
 the subject of fish and fish-capture ; and although fixed as are my own 
 views, I should indeed be sorry to decry the opinions of those who differ 
 from me. A similar moderation is all I claim of them. Good Anglers 
 are notably good fellows, and will judge fairly of what I give them 
 practical lessons in a high art, the result of accurate observations during 
 the varied and full life of an enthusiastic Salmon-angler. 
 
 That my work may be helpful to my brothers in the pursuit of our 
 fascinating sport is my deeply founded hope. Hope ! the mother of 
 Success, when the companion in Practice. Her rays enable one to 
 penetrate the mysteries of either the darkest pool, or water beaten 
 into the whitest foam. She conjures up to the imagination of her 
 charge the vision of future triumph, gladdens the heart of all, and 
 forces many a seeming impossibility to give way to ultimate victory. 
 
 G. M. K. 
 
CHAPTEE I. 
 INTBODU CTOBY. 
 
 " The prinoiples which art involves, science evolves .... Art in its entire stages 
 ii anterior to science it may afterwards borrow aid from it." 
 
 WlIEWELL. 
 
 IN the present practice of Salmon-fishing there is great need of " system." 
 It may be said, "We don't want ' system.' We are quite content with 
 things as we find them, as long as we get our pleasure out of them." 
 But such a speech will carry at least one fallacy. People get a certain 
 pleasure out of whist, who know very little more about it than not to 
 revoke, and perhaps not to trump their partner's trick ; but that is no 
 reason why the game should not be a serious study to others, books 
 written on its laws and problems, and a high mental exercise enjoyed in 
 its practice. 
 
 Speaking for myself and I know I represent the opinion of many 
 as one who has all his life been an ardent devotee of Salmon-fishing and 
 a close observer of everything relating to it, I cannot subscribe to the 
 creed which proclaims that when " system " comes in at the door, " fun " 
 flies out of the window. On the contrary, I have long been convinced, 
 and have said so in the London Press, that lack of " system " means 
 proportionate loss of sport and pleasure. 
 
 The man, for example, who owes his success in fishing to " the 
 straight tip in flies " imparted by some expert, would incontestably have 
 gained for himself vastly higher gratification, not to speak of any claim 
 to praise, had he been his own " tipster," i.e., had he possessed certain 
 systematic knowledge. 
 
2 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 With reference to this general statement, it may be said that, 
 principles engendered in truth are indestructible things, and, like hardy 
 plants, grow wherever you take them : whereas mere " rules-of- thumb " 
 have but the lowest vitality and will not survive transplantation. 
 Possessed of the former, the Fisherman is equipped with knowledge 
 applicable for new ground and for new conditions. The untried, indeed, 
 just stimulates his skill and enhances his pleasure. But " rules-of- 
 thurnb," whatever returns they may yield within the limits of familiar 
 waters and ordinary conditions, generally prove, elsewhere and otherwise, 
 a source of perplexity, delusion, or helpless dependence on others. 
 
 To the remark that a good deal of this book might appear to some 
 to wear the garb of "rule-of- thumb," the reply is, that it must be so with 
 regard to much that is technical and mechanical. Yet even here the dry 
 bones may become clothed with living texture, when their reason and 
 purpose are given with them ; when, in other words, we fall back on the 
 underlying principles. 
 
 In advocating " system," I must guard against the supposition that 
 I am about to offer a complete scheme of Salmon-fishing. All I can do 
 is to point to the need of some further light, and offer my modest 
 contribution at whatever its worth may be. Dare I hope that it may be 
 the nucleus for the valuable experience of other Anglers and the seedling 
 of a great consistent " system " ? 
 
 A complete " system " is probably beyond any man's power, and is 
 certainly beyond my own. I must, therefore, warn those who would put 
 my doctrines to the proof, that they must adopt my practice in its 
 entirety. This caution applies emphatically to the style of rod I recom- 
 mend. As I make clear hereafter, " casting" is not performed by the rod 
 alone, but by the rod and line taken together. So that to use such a rod 
 with any other "tackle" than that described as best suited to it (I am not 
 referring to the back-line), can only end in failure to display its good 
 qualities and its utmost powers. 
 
 To plead for " science " in Salmon-angling is to plead for " system " 
 (system in knowledge as well as system in action), for science is but 
 another name for systematised knowledge. In vain will some, even of our 
 older hands, ejaculate " Blow ' science ' in fishing ! " The concentrated 
 
SCIENCE VERSUS CHANCE. 3 
 
 blast of all the Fishermen that have ever flogged water could not blow 
 science out of Salmon-catching , for it is absolutely there, involved it 
 may be, but there, and the very essence of the sport itself. Let such 
 objectors remember the story of the gentleman in one of Moliere's plays 
 who suddenly discovers that he has been talking prose all his life without 
 knowing it. The real matter for decision is, Shall your knowledge be 
 confused, undigested, vague, or badly stowed '? or, shall it be methodical, 
 organised, precise, and always ready to hand ? Behind each art lies a 
 corresponding science, and the art of Salmon-angling clearly has its 
 science ; though, for the most part, it still waits to be evolved. Let 
 the science be elaborated by all means, and full}' compacted. How much 
 of it he will have, each man can settle for himself. You may plunge 
 into it up to the neck out of pure love of the thing, or you may have no 
 more than that sprinkling, which even mediocrity needs. But for their 
 own sakes, I pray Salmon-fishers to look upon " science " as their friend, 
 and not as a bugbear. 
 
 How are we going to get at this science ? By the orthodox route. 
 "Where is it ? In all seriousness it is hard to find, and the guide-posts 
 are few and often misleading. Facts obtained or obtainable, observation, 
 experiment, will serve us; and if we exercise our brains to collect, com- 
 pare, classify, and generalise, we shall soon tread on the heels of those 
 advanced laws and principles which we wish to apply in adapting our 
 means to the ends we have in view. 
 
 In the wide field of observation there is much to be gathered. Every 
 Fisherman can contribute help here without entering upon the more 
 austere operations of " science." The more facts, the safer the induction. 
 It should, however, be noted that observation is of value in proportion as 
 it is accurate ; and that really accurate observations are not so common 
 as might be thought. Eminent scientists have testified how difficult it is 
 even for a man of superior intelligence, to keep distinct what he actually 
 sees from what he thinks he sees. (A man in a fog appears bigger than 
 he is ; a fish in the water is not in the place in which he seems to be.) 
 It is so very easy to see what agrees with one's own preconceived 
 ideas. 
 
 Even where verification is easy and the matter of observation within 
 
 B2 
 
4 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 the grasp of one's hand, observation may be wanting in care a statement 
 which I will illustrate, not from the spacious field of nature, but from the 
 smaller sphere of an Editor's experience. 
 
 A few years ago, a Fisherman came into my office on some angling 
 business. Not knowing me by sight, he got into a discussion on Salmon- 
 flies, and presently declared: "I don't believe in Kelson's flies" 
 (meaning those figured in "Land and Water"). He added: "The 
 wings are a deal too heavy and have too much stuff in them." In con- 
 firmation he produced from his pocket-book a fly, shewing what he 
 considered a fair amount of "wing" for the Usk v a river which then 
 wanted a "heavy" wing. On comparing this fly with the original 
 pattern, which the critic had pronounced to be over bulky in the wing, 
 he was soon compelled to confess himself mistaken. It was seen that, 
 after all, my flies were constructed with less wing-material than his, and 
 that the difference in appearance was due to the way in which the 
 material was disposed. In my patterns each component strip of fibre in 
 the wing was displayed to view in fan-like expansion, whilst in his fly 
 one half at least of its constituents were hidden by the other half, the 
 strips being compressed into an untidy bunch. It was also evident that 
 this local authority was unacquainted with the principle, that the bulk of 
 wing in a given pattern is variable according to the river, or even according 
 to different parts of the same river, as well as in relation to weather and 
 the condition of the water. Unfortunately this case is a typical one. 
 
 Exactitude is needed in applying our principles, i.e., in adapting our 
 means to the ends in view. Having clearly and definitely before our eye 
 what those ends are and what they demand, we should not relax our 
 efforts until we have mastered the means that best satisfy those demands. 
 In this connection let me show what I mean, by reference to the most 
 simple of all operations (fully explained in Chapter III.) in making 
 " floss-silk " bodied flies, viz. : the waxing of the silk. What is the 
 object here? Evidently to manage the waxing (1) without soiling the 
 fingers ; (2) without breaking the silk, or weakening it by letting it 
 untwist, or by rubbing it too hard ; (3) without getting too much wax on 
 so as to quite spoil the floss-silk which covers it. Now, in spite of the 
 fact that there is for doing this a method so simple that the dullest 
 
SYSTEM VERSUS CHANCE. 5 
 
 novice could follow it successfully, cobblers' wax is often condemned 
 because of the trouble caused in using it. 
 
 There are pre-eminently three matters in which I believe Salmon- 
 anglers would reap much benefit from " system." (1) The style of rod. 
 (2) The modes of " casting." (3) The construction and choice of flies. 
 In the first and third of these especially the principles we have mastered 
 by observation and experiment have yet to be applied far more fully than 
 is ordinarily the case, and with far stricter regard to the precise objects 
 in view. In the following Chapters I have sought not only to point out 
 the road to success, but also to move some little way along that road. 
 The Chapter on the " Kod " does not call for preliminary comment here ; 
 and as to the modes of " casting," illustrated and described in Chapter 
 VII., I would only remark that, as their efficiency depends on obedience 
 to certain primary laws of mechanics, the directions for making each 
 "cast" should be minutely followed. Failure to accomplish them will 
 ensue, not because some peculiar "knack" or " dodge " has remained 
 undisclosed, but because some rational condition remains unfulfilled. To 
 see precisely, and at first sight, what has to be done, greatly helps a man 
 towards the right way of doing it. In such a thing as learning by book- 
 instruction how to "cast," it is necessary that not only the "WHY" 
 and the "WHEREFORE" should be explained, but also the "How." 
 And this I have striven to do in the following pages. 
 
 It is in the choice of flies that so much yet remains to be done in 
 the way of observation and experiment. Here for the most part we have 
 to make our own science, before we can apply it. The facts we must 
 build on are the habits and tastes of the Salmon, as affected by the 
 variety of his natural surroundings, the predisposition he evinces for 
 certain shades of colour and certain types of flies, the variations of water 
 and weather, and above all by the mischief brought about by the 
 preceding efforts of Fishermen destitute of all practical knowledge. 
 
 Men call Salmon " capricious " ; but is not the term a cover for their 
 own ignorance about the habits of the fish and the flies they show them, 
 rather than the truthful representation of facts? No one has proved 
 wanton inconsistency on the part of the fish. We may depend on it. 
 that Salmon instinctively and undeviatingly act according to certain 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 predispositions, obey fixed natural laws, and are never troubled with 
 " intellectual " originality, even of a rudimentary type. If he is as 
 immovable as the rock of the river-bed to-day, and then gives himself 
 away to the artless lure of the rawest novice on the morrow, depend 
 upon it, there is an underlying cause, which it were more profitable to 
 seek for, than to cover up with the convenient term " caprice." 
 
 In the choice of flies and the method of making and using them, the 
 improvements of recent times have been patent and far-reaching. 
 
 When we come to analyze what a fly really is, we must associate 
 ourselves with that reform in fishing which opposes much " received 
 opinion ; " and our attitude is justified by unmistakable and undeniable 
 evidence. As a sample of the experiences on which I found some of my 
 views against " received opinion," here is a narrative which may not be 
 altogether uninteresting. It dates from 1849, when I commenced my 
 earliest investigations on the river Darenth. 
 
 The late Sir P. D , my father, and Mr. J. G. C . had been 
 
 discussing at Halstead Place the question of rod-material, and of trying 
 a new kind of wood purchased by the latter of these gentlemen for 
 
 making ram-rods. In a few days, by the valuable help of Mr. C , 
 
 himself a first-class workman, I turned out an 11 ft. 6 in. green-heart 
 Trout-rod. On testing it, we soon found that we could cover with it more 
 water than with the rods of hickory which we had been accustomed to 
 use. Presently below the saw-mill our attention was drawn to a Pike 
 of about 5 Ibs. weight, lying close to a barrier of wood- work forming the 
 upright side of a sheep-wash. 
 
 As some one about that time Mr. Jewhurst, I believe, the inventor 
 of one of our best standard flies had created a stir in the district by 
 killing one of these fish with a "Butcher," I, having no other means at 
 hand to secure it, dressed a similar pattern and caught the Pike with it. 
 
 " What on earth," said my father, "did the fish take that fly for? 
 Get under the water and see what it is like." 
 
 Little indeed did I dream of the benefits which this inspection 
 would lead to. But it was not until after some half-dozen trials that I 
 succeeded in getting a good view of the fly. The bed of the river at 
 the sheep-wash was muddy, and I could not stay under water long 
 
UNDER-WATER EXPERIMENTS. 7 
 
 enough for it to clear ; I was also unaccustomed to the business and 
 could not manage to lie still, nor avoid stirring up the mud. " All I 
 can tell you is," I said, at last, "that it looks just like a living fly 
 working its legs and wings." 
 
 Our curiosity being greatly excited, the experiment was rehearsed 
 elsewhere. 
 
 Of all the places I have tried thus, the best and the worst was the 
 one particular pond at Bradbourne Vale (then the property of Mr. 
 Hughes). It was best, because its bed was not muddy, whilst the water 
 itself was brighter than the proverbial gin. It was worst, because the 
 water was icy cold. There, nevertheless, I practised year after year, and 
 notes of my observations were taken by some of the interested parties 
 who generally attended the entertainment. The penalty I paid for my 
 under-water investigations was a slight deafness, which affects me still. 
 
 We came to the conclusion, that the stiller the surface of the water, 
 the more favourable it is for inspection : that the brighter the day, so 
 long as the sun is not in the background, the more clearly can the details 
 and the conduct of the fly-materials be scrutinised : that, however 
 seemingly still the water may be, there is always a movement in some 
 part of the fly : also that, to the human eye, a dark fly shows best on a 
 dark day, whilst in bright weather the fly of many colours is more easily 
 and more minutely distinguishable. But this was not all. I benefited 
 further, for it taught me the grand lesson not to " play " long-hackled 
 patterns which, of themselves, unassisted by rod-action, assume a life- 
 like motion even in the quietest water possible. I also learnt that a 
 person talking on the bank can be heard by another under water. 
 Whether a fish can so hear, is a question. 
 
 There is information here, without doubt, that can be turned to 
 practical good in Salmon-fishing. I hope the few deductions that I was 
 enabled to draw from these experiments will be found useful, as being 
 sound, so far as they go. To them I owe many a success, and this 
 especially induces me to submit them to my readers with confidence. 
 The system I wish to exemplify is, to all intents and purposes, based on 
 some practice that is at once consistent and intelligible. The trial has 
 been in many a struggle for the day's " top score " on Association waters 
 
8 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 which I no longer fish, sometimes for any score at all when low, vapid 
 water and bright sun have given full scope for testing every kind of theory. 
 
 Punch has depicted some theorist baffled to the verge of desperation, 
 finally throwing his collection of flies, book and all, into the " Catch." 
 Then there is the numerous school of sportsmen, whose guiding doctrine 
 is, " Some days, you know, you can't keep fish off the hook, and some 
 days they won't look at the best fly in your book or anybody else's." 
 A dummy clock-face with painted hands is periodically right twice in 
 twenty-four hours ; and such people have the solace of occasional success, 
 though its recurrence is generally at long intervals. It is true that, at 
 times, nothing avails to tempt fish, but then these barren times are very 
 much fewer for the systematic Fisherman than for the novice ; were it 
 otherwise, there would be no raison d'etre for this book. In short, I hold 
 that the advantages of the " systematic " Angler are surprisingly pro- 
 nounced. Even a few good working principles are needful to justify any 
 assurance of success. 
 
 The ability to " dress " a fly, even fairly well, enhances the pleasure 
 of Salmon fishing to a degree truly inconceivable to the uninitiated. 
 " Fly-dressing," in itself a pleasant art, is an accomplishment that must 
 very often contribute to sport otherwise unattainable ; and there are 
 many occasions when it proves to be the actual determining condition of 
 any sport at all, for it is no uncommon experience that a fish which has 
 refused a boxful of " likelies " has, in the 'end been lured to his doom 
 by a fly hastily dressed at the river's side to meet the exigencies of the 
 moment. Somewhere or other, I forget where, I have read an ill- 
 founded but unimportant sneer at the possibility of doing such a thing ; 
 but I have myself succeeded in this way many and many a time. It is 
 no exaggeration of w y ords to say that I have dressed hundreds of flies 
 al frcico and with admirable results in their use as an immediate 
 consequence. 
 
 There is no necessity to burden one-self with any great bulk of 
 materials, in order to command a far larger scope in size and in pattern 
 of fly than that afforded by the most corpulent of fly-books. Not 
 unfrequently, be it remembered, a small deduction from, or addition 
 to, a wing turns the scale (and scales) in the Angler's favour. 
 
DIAGNOSIS OF FLIES. 9 
 
 For the less ambitious, even a theoretical knowledge of the methods 
 adopted by our best artists, such as I trust may be gathered from this book, 
 is, I can assure them, no mean advantage. It endows a man with critical 
 ability which means, that the critic is enabled to tell a good fly from a, 
 bad one when he sees it and supplies the power not only to detect and 
 reject bad materials and faulty construction, but to know precisely what 
 is wanted, as well as to convey accurate instructions to the " fly-dresser." 
 
 When a friend inquires what description of fly it was the critic lost 
 in the big fish below, identification can scarcely be easy when he 
 replies : " Well, don't you know, it was a darkish kind of thing with 
 blue at one end and legs of a sort of speckle, and then there was some 
 metal stuff round the woolly part, and a feather like a spray of gold for a, 
 top-knot " ; and such a description is not a caricature of common river- 
 side speech. But without going so low down in the scale of ignorance, 
 there is a large class of Fishermen who can only just distinguish what is 
 meant to be a " Jock Scott " from what is meant to be a " Durham 
 Ranger," or a putative " Butcher " from a putative " Blue Doctor " ; for 
 certain flies bear unmistakably distinctive marks. But there the know- 
 ledge stops. The particular specimens may yet exhibit such a departure 
 from the original composition, yes, even in important features, as to 
 seriously impair their efficiency. A little more technical knowledge would 
 avoid this. 
 
 For those, however, who " dress " their own flies, the pleasure of 
 banking an extra sulky Salmon, from whose jaw they proceed with all 
 tenderness to extract the product of their own skill in fur and feathers, 
 attains its full height, when the pattern of the fly is also their own in- 
 vention. All the conditions of the occasion have been studied light, wind, 
 weather, water, and nature of the " catch " ; the size, the amount of " show," 
 and degree of mobility that should answer have been determined. And 
 then comes success to crown the patient and deft manipulation, which 
 clothed the hook from one's own original idea, and which awakens a- 
 new and gratifying faith in one's calculation and judgment. 
 
 Surely it is worth considering that by this delicate and fascinating 
 art, the pleasures of fishing are extended over a longer period of the year. 
 They begin, not at the opening of the season on the river-bank, but weeks 
 
10 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 before, at the best lighted window of the " den " or library, saving 
 many a man from the task of " killing time." No wise man reads 
 directly after lunch, for reading then sends the blood to the head, when 
 it is required below. But "dressing" a fly will generally be found 
 no enemy to digestion and goes well with a chat, and perhaps even 
 with a pipe. 
 
 And " fly-dressing " employs faculties besides those used in fishing. 
 In addition to the keen eye and ready hand, the persistent observation, 
 the care, endurance, courage, and patience required by open-air practice, 
 those other qualities are called into play, the training^of which establishes 
 for Salmon-fishing a true kinship with the Fine Arts, and supplies as 
 much of mental and moral discipline as may fairly be looked for in what 
 we are accustomed to designate "rational amusement." The "fly- 
 dresser" finds room for the utmost nicety of calculation in arrangement 
 and adaptation, as well as a field for the exercise of the imagination in 
 realizing symmetry, proportion, mobility, and colour-harmony. In short, 
 we have here a well-bred hobby not unworthy the attention of the 
 greatest amongst us who are fishers, whether Divines or Statesmen, 
 Doctors or Lawyers, Poets, Painters, or Philosophers. 
 
 Having thus adduced some reasons why the piscator ad unguem (I 
 use the term advisedly) should " dress," or at least know how to " dress," 
 his own flies, I may well introduce an observation once made by a keen 
 man of the world. It embodies, I believe, the experience of most people 
 who are qualified to judge of the specific mental influence of fly-fishing 
 for Salmon and Trout. Fly-fishing has the power to bring sure and 
 unbroken relief to the jaded mind, with thorough oblivion to all else but 
 the sport itself. Its very nature seems to compel the entire attention. 
 As a consequence, therefore, the more we lay ourselves out for this 
 pastime, the greater will be the benefit derived from it, in the original 
 and best sense, a recreative agent. This consideration obviously gives 
 fresh life to my praise of " fly-dressing " as a complement to " fly-fishing." 
 Anyone can imagine himself under the following circumstances : 
 
 Breakfast despatched and the fishing news carefully digested, you 
 have seated yourself at that little table in the window, looking 
 river-wards, in a capital light. Your box of materials is on a chair 
 
SALMON FISHING AS A RECREATION. 11 
 
 beside you, and two or three of its trays out before you on tbe table. 
 
 Water a bit higher than you thought, eh ? Haven't 
 
 exactly the thing you want? (puff! puff! capital smoking mixture 
 this !) No, these "Jocks" are just two sizes too small. And that one? 
 Don't like the yellow of it too orangey, Turkey strips not pure 
 white-pointed, "Jungle" not bright enough. Ah! twist butt floss 
 oval-tinsel Toucan topping and Crow! Now then. And so you 
 get to happy, hopeful work, looking up at intervals to relieve the eye by 
 a moment's change of focus and to get an inspiring glance at the noble 
 stream below ! 
 
 Where are your "notices of motion," your Committees and Division- 
 bills now? Where the mortgages, the conveyances, the briefs ? Where 
 script and share-lists, bills and notes of hand ? And what has become of 
 your prescriptions and mighty harassings, the daily rounds of fever and 
 mental worries? And where are those "editorials," that daily pile of 
 letters, that waste-basket, and so forth ? Faded away all of them out 
 of sight and mind too, thank goodness ! Smoke and din and dull routine, 
 head-ache and heart-ache, are all clean gone, and in their place have come 
 the calm and charm of meadow and purple moor, of ruffled " catch," 
 deep gliding pool and foaming rapid ; of birds and of humming insects 
 buzzing among the wild flowers and fresh undergrowth. Your mind has 
 just enough spontaneous energy to keep pace with the bodily forces in 
 healthful pleasure, and to enjoy the anxious labour of dressing or 
 choosing the fly that shall presently stir up a full fifteen minutes' glorious 
 excitement and yield material for oft-told tales and life-long reminiscences. 
 What do not those men lose who do not fish ? And as to fly-making 
 well, by that engaging occupation, apart from all practical considerations, 
 many men have been imbued with a fascination which has since 
 brightened too many dull days of their life. 
 
 Any apology for the possibly tedious fulness of detail inseparable 
 from really genuine instruction on such a technical subject as " fly- 
 dressing " it would be too illogical to offer. Clearness in this case is 
 impossible without amplitude of detail ; an orderly system in progress 
 from stage to stage, as indispensable as in Euclid's " Elements." But 
 let the learner take courage. When first he learns the method and has 
 
12 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 mastered the preliminaries in detail, it will not be long before he will 
 boldly attack the most elaborate patterns and venture with enthusiasm 
 upon the artistic expression of his own fancies in all the kaleidoscopic 
 possibilities of fur and feather, floss and pigs-wool. 
 
 As a conclusion to the disappointing instructions of many guide books 
 for " fly-dressers " the student is advised that, as the art, after all, cannot 
 really be learnt from books, he should resort to some professional " tier " 
 to teach him. This suggests the probability that the writer of the guide, 
 however expert he otherwise may be, has felt himself 011 thin ice in the 
 practical knowledge of this department, or at least in the ability to 
 communicate it to others. It may be added that the better class Salmon- 
 fly of to-day is an altogether different product from that of forty years 
 ago, and, as a work of art, an incomparably superior one. No high 
 technical knowledge is needed, for example, to discern the contrast in 
 artistic excellence and working adaptation to purpose between the few- 
 standard flies as illustrated in Land and Water (under my departmental 
 Editorship) and the flies depicted in 'certain older works on angling. The 
 contrast is most striking in the symmetrical proportions, the arrangement 
 of the wings, the distribution of material generally, and in strength and 
 neatness of finish particularly. 
 
 Blacker was, in his day, a champion "dresser," but it would have 
 been a case of almost incredible stagnation if the art he helped so much 
 to promote had made no progress since his time. It would be very unlike 
 what has in many a river happened to the fish. They have changed, or 
 been made to change, their tastes. As for Blacker's book on " Fly- 
 tying," it is, as regards Salmon-flies, practically useless for present day 
 instruction in the modus operandi, and is only valuable as a literary 
 curiosity. 
 
 In his " Book on Angling " it is clear that my valued friend and 
 colleague, the late Mr. Francis Francis, scarcely makes a serious 
 attempt at any complete instruction in this matter. Certain it is that 
 from the directions there given alone, no novice could learn to dress a fly 
 that any tackle-maker of repute would care to place in his shop window. 
 And it is simple truth to declare that in a work unequalled to this day as 
 a complete synopsis of angling, and as such reaping the reward of 
 
THE "BOOK ON ANGLING." 13 
 
 unabated popularity, the chapter on Salmon-fly dressing is, by far, the 
 least valuable in his book, 
 
 No pupil was more apt, none more attentive. But the enthusiasm 
 which led him to accomplish with mathematical precision the neatest 
 victories over Mayflies and Quilled-gnats, scarcely extended itself into 
 the regions of high art in Salmon-fly dressing. " Yours," he would say 
 to me, "is the result of imagination and judgment: mine a hobby 
 to indulge in without much effort ; and it gratifies my taste, if it tries 
 my eyes." 
 
 To pass to a kindred topic, Mr. Francis has undoubtedly rendered 
 immense service to Salmon-fishermen, by gathering from the various 
 rivers, at evident cost of time and labour, the large collection of patterns 
 that fill so many pages of his treatise. Here is a record of facts, a 
 trustworthy account of the local patterns, district, and personal 
 favourites reigning when the collection was made, and a certain number 
 of them still retain their sway. Any Angler, with the "Book on Angling" 
 in his hand, may be sure of selecting for a given river patterns, that 
 had. once upon a time, and in some cases still have, the sanction of 
 local tradition and past favour. Whether the same authority enables 
 him to provide adequately for a change of taste on the part of the fish 
 is quite another matter. Such changes do occur, sometimes (but not 
 often), in Nature's own mysterious way, sometimes (indeed very 
 frequently) in consequence of too much familiarity with baits, or even 
 with foreign flies introduced by new-comers men who are not content 
 with local faiths and "rules of thumb." Such rules are too rigid to meet 
 the change. There is your list of flies ; your only variety in them lies 
 in the matter of size. If large and medium, and small flies of those 
 patterns fail, you must either resort to the enterprising men for their 
 patterns, or invent better ones yourself. That is to say, you must forsake 
 tradition for invention, and "rule of thumb " for principles of some sort, 
 because your list teaches that the highest preference of your fish has not 
 been hit on, and that it fails to provide for a palate that has become 
 dainty through untoward water or weather, or has been educated up to 
 a different bill of fare. 
 
 Let me not be misapprehended. I wish especially to attribute its 
 
14 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 full value to this great collection of fly patterns. But what I advocate 
 most earnestly, is the logical step forward from all such data, if only 
 from the simple fact that so many of the feathers we employ now are far 
 more suited to the object in view. The Angler who takes this step will 
 soon train and use his own powers of observation and judgment. 
 Practice and experiment on his part wjll then breed confidence, and 
 confidence will bring for him marked improvement in capacity and 
 all round proficiency. 
 
 Now it is manifest that in all collections of patterns yet offered in 
 print and Mr. Francis's is, perhaps, the most complete of any we 
 have little else than the bare patterns to guide us. There is not 
 sufficient induction from them ; no comparison, analysis, classification, 
 made of them, either in themselves, or with direct regard to the natural 
 characters of the rivers to which groups of flies are severally assigned. 
 Whilst the features of many of the flies described as used on certain 
 rivers in times gone by are strongly marked enough to base a classification 
 on, and perhaps to enable some advance towards general principles, yet 
 it seems to me, that the local use has so frequently been governed by 
 mere accident, whim, and fashion, and so entirely without attempt at 
 rational process or systematic observation, that I would prefer, and I 
 recommend, original experiment based on general principles, with a 
 deferential side-glance at the traditions of the elders. 
 
 It is evident that any practice relying solely on such lists of flies, 
 however time-honoured, must, as unscientific, sooner or later be found 
 valueless to some extent, and hopelessly so in the face of any such 
 enlightened competition as must be met on the more open fisheries. 
 
 In certain flies, leading conditions common to several localities have 
 been happily filled, and so we have such standard general patterns as 
 " Jock Scott," " Silver Grey," and " Blue Doctor." But it is clear that 
 the demands of the unusual and complicated conditions in hard-fished 
 waters could not be thus uncerimoniously chanced on, and to meet these, 
 we need, not the standard general patterns, but the standard specials, e.g., 
 the "Variegated Sun-fly," "Blue Boyne," "Bed Pirate," "Bo-Peep," 
 " Silver Spectre," &c., &c. 
 
 Complicated conditions, and the discovery of the best means and 
 
SUN-FLIES. 15 
 
 methods of mastering them will cost many observations, careful record, 
 and much thought, but the measure of success already known to follow 
 such investigation lifts the Angler far above any blind or groping reliance 
 on the best traditions of the past. Is it not notorious that in several of 
 our rivers the fish have been educated to persistently snub old patterns 
 in favour of new ? And is it not indeed an achievement to present to the 
 fish a fly that he then and there prefers to your rival's to have yourself 
 made the attraction so strong, as to establish, more or less permanently, 
 a decided taste in the fish, so that he refuses other flies, to wait for 
 yours ! 
 
 In mentioning, just now, the names of a few standard patterns, I 
 might have added, with regard to the results brought about by the special 
 use of Sun-flies, that I have evidence, nay, the strongest proof, of what 
 may be accomplished from systeniatised knowledge. 
 
 What, in the name of sport, would our forefathers think Salmon 
 angling had come to, could we tell them of the great results that have 
 been achieved altogether without periods of much trouble, while fishing 
 in the brightest sunshine ! They first taught us, it is true, to use bright 
 flies in bright weather and so on ; but they themselves never failed to 
 reel up in the daytime under a cloudless canopy of blue, nor ever 
 dreamed of sport with such a pattern as the " Variegated Sun-fly," 
 which, by the way, has more than filled the promise of its youth. 
 
 It is happy for us latter-day Anglers that the " specials " came into 
 existence, that they still live, and that they afford so many proofs of their 
 own masterful vitality in those very times when all other flies fail. Our 
 knowledge in the matter of these, at any rate, is " methodical, organised, 
 precise, and always ready to hand " ; and I put forward my own portion 
 of the work with great confidence. 
 
16 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 CHAPTEK II. 
 
 k 
 
 SALMON-FLIES : THEIR KINDS, QUALITIES AND MATERIALS. 
 
 " Oft expectation fails, and most oft there where most it promises." 
 
 SHAKESPEARE. 
 
 DESCRIPTION AND CLASSIFICATION. 
 
 AN orderly and uniform method of description being essential to progress 
 in all technical matters, there can be no need to vindicate my attempt 
 to supply this, with regard to Salmon-flies and their dressings. Happily, 
 in this case, the reformer has only to contend against a certain amount of 
 disorder and confusion. 
 
 The advantage of always describing a fly in the successive order 
 of its parts, and of always using the same names for the same things, 
 is obvious. We often encounter in print, and elsewhere, a departure 
 from this wholesome principle, and this can only be attributed to the 
 absence hitherto of any general practice, based on the requirements of 
 convenience and consistency. I hope that the diagram given opposite, in 
 which a typical fly is explained in regular succession of detail, will be found 
 of service in satisfying these requirements. The names adopted by me 
 are those now in general use amongst Anglers and tackle-makers, and 
 the order followed is (practically) that of the actual process of dressing. 
 
 The benefit derived from following this order is, that with a 
 minimum of strain on the memory, even without practice in dressing, an 
 
THE PARTS OF A FLY. 
 
 17 
 
 orderly formula can be impressed on the mind a formula applicable 
 to any fly, and in such a way that its composition can easily be retained 
 in the mind's eye and reproduced at pleasure. Further, this formula 
 is a valuable aid to the memory in the successive operations of fly- 
 dressing ; the value being in direct ratio to the elaboration of the pattern 
 in hand. 
 
 Those who fix this simple scheme in their minds, will not find, on 
 finishing a fly, that they have left out the body hackle or one of the 
 "butts" ; nor that, in sending to a friend the description of some 
 murderous favourite, they will have written it in such complicated 
 detail as to defy every attempt at reproducing it either in imagination 
 or in material. Order is nature's first law, and it is certainly that of 
 every good Salmon-angler. 
 
 ANALYTICAL DIAGRAM, illustrating parts and proportions of 
 
 Salmon-Fly. 
 
 ..-c-F 
 
 G 
 
 J 
 
 DJ 
 
 "JOCK SCOTT" TYPE. 
 
18 
 
 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 EXPLANATION. 
 
 A. Gut loop. 
 
 B. Ta;i : here in two sections silver twist, 
 
 succeeded by floss silk. 
 
 CC. Tail. Of a topping and an Indian 
 crow feather. 
 
 D1, D2, D3. "Butts." Between D1 
 (tail-lmtt) and D3 (head-butt) lies 
 the Body, divided in this type of fly 
 into two sections by D2 (section- 
 butt), each section having 5 Ribs of 
 tinsel ; Q2 is here preceded (in 
 order of construction) by Toucan 
 feathers above and below. 
 
 E. Hackle. Here distinguished as the 
 " L'pper section hackle." When wound 
 over nearly the whole length of the 
 body it is termed the "Body hackle." 
 
 E2. Throat - hackle, usually written 
 "Throat." 
 
 p. Under-tring. Hereof "white-tipped" 
 Turkey. 
 
 Q. Oner Wing, in most flies capped w th 
 a " topping." 
 
 HH. Horn*. J. Side*. K. Cheek. |_. 
 
 Htid. 
 "| . Is a line showing a proper length of 
 
 tail and wing beyond the hook-bend. 
 2. Indicates the place of the first coil of 
 
 the tag relatively to the hook-barb, 
 
 the barb supplying the best guide to 
 
 the eye in the initial operation of 
 tying on the " tag " material. 
 
 3. Indicates the place on the hook- 
 xhank (relatively to the hook- 
 point), at which the ends of the 
 gut loop should terminate, leaving 
 the gap, for adjustment (particular- 
 ised in Chap. III.). 
 
 This figure is intended also to give the 
 ttudent a general idea of the due 
 proportions and symmetry of a good 
 fly, as a whole, and in its parts 
 severally. 
 
 In dressing, the terms "head wards" and 
 "tail wards" mean towards right 
 and left respectively, as seen in the 
 plate. 
 
 The terms "bend of the hook," "point of 
 the hook," " point of the barb," 
 " barb-junction," &c., explain them- 
 selves on inspection. By a mane 
 a common term in Ireland is 
 understood a tuft of mohair in- 
 troduced at some place on the body 
 after the manner of the upper group 
 of Toucan feathers seen in the plate 
 in rear of section-butt D2. But as 
 this means of ornamentation is not 
 considered favourable, I shall leave 
 the subject alone for a while. 
 
 In classifying his flies the Salmon-angler stands at a disadvantage as 
 compared with the Trout-fisher. The latter has a basis of classification 
 ready made for him by Nature. His path is already trodden smooth for 
 him by the entomologist, so that in following his principle of imitation, 
 he has but to study the habits and habitats, the times and seasons, that 
 distinguish the several natural classes represented by his " duns " and 
 " spinners," his " midges " and " gnats," his " sedges " and " palmers " ; 
 ephemeridas, Phryganeidae, and so forth. The Salmon-angler, on the 
 contrary, has, as a rule (exceptions are duly recorded in this book), to 
 fall back on an artificial classification. He betakes himself to nature 
 
CLASSIFICATION OF SALMON FLIES. 
 
 19 
 
 only on rare, but notable, occasions. So in truth his principle is a 
 matter of less consequence to him generally, though it is undeniably both 
 of use and interest. 
 
 Of the possible principles of classification only two will commend 
 themselves to our consideration, a division according to " bodies," or a 
 division according to " wings." I choose the latter for the following 
 reasons : firstly, because there is as much variety of construction in 
 that part as in any other ; secondly, that there is also a variety in this 
 part dictated by local taste in man, or fish, or both and finally, that 
 the wings are a " leading article " in the matter of fly dressing. 
 
 There is, however, a considerable variety in bodies, not only as 
 regards quantity and kind of material, but also as regards the disposition 
 of the latter with reference to proportion and colour ; witness the plain 
 fur or silk body, the " Jock Scott " body, the " Butcher " body, and that 
 of the " Popham " all distinct types. The wing, however, seems on 
 the whole to afford the simplest and best fundamental division. 1 am 
 unaware of any previous attempt at such a classification, and therefore, 
 unaided by the light of earlier exploration, I offer with all due 
 diffidence the following simple scheme, as the best I have been able to 
 devise : 
 
 A. FLIES. 
 
 WHOLE FEATHER WINGED-" FLACK HANGER." 
 
 c2 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 TOPPING WINGED-A "VAEIEGATED SUN FLY." 
 
 STRIP WINGED-" THE DUNT. 
 
 BUILT WINGED OF MARRIED STRIPS-" BEACONSFIELD.' 
 
TYPES OF SALMON FLIES. 
 
 MIXED WINGED OF FIBRES " INSTRUCTION FLY.' 
 I Hunt rated in Chapter III., Xo. 3. 
 
 ANY COMBINATION OF THE ABOVE "THE BUTCHER.' 
 
22 
 
 THE SALMON FLY. 
 B. GRUBS. 
 
 WINGLESS PATTERNS "THE JUNGLE HORNET." 
 
 There in no need to explain in detail what is meant by " WJiole 
 feather " wings. Each wing is composed of one or more whole feathers 
 of some such bird as the Macaw. Their stiffness makes them invaluable 
 for crooked going, or for swirly catches, where the ordinary mobile 
 " mixed " wings become a shapeless mass of huddled fibres, and have no 
 chance whatever of playing alluringly. 
 
 " Topping " wings are made entirely of Golden Pheasant " toppings," 
 from four to eight being used according to circumstances and size of hook. 
 They are very effective in bright weather and clear water, and especially 
 so in sunshine, but four on one river may be equal to six on another. 
 
 In the " Strip-winged " fly each entire wing consists of a single strip 
 of feather generally taken from the tail-feather of some large bird. 
 Wings of this kind may be set on to lie close to each other, or to lie apart 
 at a considerable angle, as seen in " The Dunt." On the Aberdeenshire 
 Dee and elsewhere in Scotland these wings are still in vogue, but on 
 other rivers the Usk, for instance they are rapidly yielding ground 
 to the vastly superior " built " and " mixed " wings. 
 
TYPES OF WINGS. 23 
 
 " Built Wings" built up of strips of feather " married," are, perhaps, 
 the most difficult to construct and set on satisfactorily, but they are very 
 telling in their proper place and time as telling on the fish as they 
 appear, when skilfully arranged, to the artistic eye. The Angler who aims 
 at enduring success cannot do without them. The most successful of 
 this type of fly are those known as decided patterns i.e., flies containing 
 two or three or more distinct colours in the body and corresponding 
 colours in the wings and even in the tail. They are specially useful at 
 the beginning and end of the season, or, at other times in high water, 
 when a striking pattern is temporarily wanted. As a rule, they are 
 more successful in flowing streams than in quiet pools. 
 
 " Mixed wings," composed of single fibres, are easily set on by an 
 improved method, and are very effective in the water. It stands to 
 reason that they must be the most mobile of all wings. They are 
 specially suited to sluggish pools and unruffled waters, and may be varied and 
 beautified indefinitely according to the judgment and taste of the dresser. 
 For personal use I tie a large majority of wings in this fashion, and can 
 give them unreserved commendation. 
 
 " Grubs " or " apterous " patterns in many places are found to be o 
 great service, particularly when pools have been over thrashed with 
 " winged " flies. They are supposed to represent caterpillars and other 
 crawling insects which frequent the river bank or bed. Every Salmon-fly 
 should have its grub, and every Fisherman should use them. On some 
 rivers the Usk, for instance, where (long before the " Glow-worm " I 
 introduced the " T,rois-temps " they have become the favourite patterns 
 of most men. On the Spey they remained unknown until recent years. 
 
 " Cheeked " with a point of Jungle at each hackle, after the style of the 
 "Jungle Hornet " (whether fur, silk, or chenille be used for the body), 
 Grubs, as soon as winter ceases to chill the " lap of May," do great 
 execution amongst shy fish. 
 
 NECESSARY QUALITIES. 
 
 Symmetry, Colour, d-c. For the highest standard of sport, Salmon- 
 flies should possess certain qualities and characteristics. Season, 
 locality, &c., fix the limits of their relative bearing and importance. 
 
24 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 At times Salmon will take anything, at times nothing. In a fever of 
 excitement the King of Fish will exercise his royal jaw upon a thing it 
 were an outrage to call a Salmon fly. A one-sided, wobbling, 
 hydrocephalic bunch of incongruous feathers. Nay, this same whimsical 
 despot has been known to bring destruction upon himself and discomfiture 
 on all theory and calculation by fixing his momentary affections upon a 
 single Jay or Jungle feather tied anyhow on a big bare hook ! Only a few 
 years since, I believe in '83, a well-known Fisherman, passing from pool 
 to pool at Eingwood, and dangling his crude fly in the stream as he 
 hurried along, hooked, in eighteen inches of water, and successfully 
 landed, a forty-two pound fresh-run fish. "Hi Regan " tells me of 
 another, caught in the upper Moy with a field daisy, impaled on a small 
 hook. And there are many living witnesses to these crowning instances 
 of a Salmon's fastidiousness. Fishing the Earn one sulky day in '87, I 
 saw within six feet of me a Salmon working up a gravelled shallow. 
 Several flies had previously been tried in vain. The last, made by a 
 novice, having just lost its Mandarin-drake wings, was lying on the 
 bed of the river, for the purpose of keeping the gut in order, whilst I 
 whipped up another like it. On nearing the rude hook it was but little 
 else the Salmon came about a yard out of his way, picked it up and 
 made off down stream at a flying pace. I soon got in command of him, 
 and went home carrying 11 Ibs. more than I started with. 
 
 But fishing is no more the mere " catching " of fish, than is cricket 
 mere smashing down wickets by chance, or billiards mere " knocking 
 three balls about on a table covered with green baize.". 
 
 Strength and symmetry are necessary qualities in every Salmon-fly, 
 especially for waters harbouring shy fish, where bait-fishing* does not 
 defeat the whole thing. As for strength, first, we must obviously be 
 prepared for the worst. The battle may last for hours and its issue must 
 depend in a great measure on the strength of the fly. So then first, let 
 the hook be of the best make and well tested beforehand. There is a 
 vast difference in barbs, which fact anyone may easily study with profit 
 to himself, by submitting to scrutiny, under an ordinary magnifying lens, 
 
 * People exist who fancy that this way of ruining a river for fly-fishing involves a 
 question And yet we are rapidly approaching the end of the nineteenth century ! 
 
SYMMETRY IN FLIES. 25 
 
 the first dozen hooks he comes across. The test is, of course, best 
 performed on hooks all of one size. Many are rendered worthless by 
 too deep an incision of the barbing knife into the hook- wire. In others 
 the barb and the hook point are needlessly long. Again, the second bend 
 of the hook, i.e., the part of the bend nearest the point of the hook, is 
 where a long experience has shown more hooks fail than in any 
 other part. Correct temper, more than amount of metal there, is the 
 best security against weakness. Sometimes, however, the bend of the 
 hook itself is altogether too narrow, in which case the hook may neither 
 catch hold, nor hold when it catches. 
 
 That the whipping of gut-loop to hook should be efficient and the 
 whole fly strongly put together is evident ; but neatness and symmetry 
 are often somewhat lost in trying to secure strength. 
 
 Too much or too thick material is used in the item of tying-silk 
 especially, and too little attention is paid to tapering the ends of the loop 
 and placing the tying-silk closely and evenly upon them. Put in a spiral 
 form, or with some coils over others, and the fly falls to pieces in no time. 
 
 We must remember that the strain of the fish is borne by the hook 
 and gut. The measure of the strength required in the other parts of the 
 fly is the wear and tear of casting, of playing it in the water, and of the 
 fish's jaws. In actual experience the student will be astonished to find with 
 what little tying-silk, skilfully used and of the right sort, a fly will wear 
 to the very end of the life of its constituent materials. And this is the 
 never failing reward of dressing after a proper method and with proper 
 materials. 
 
 How often can one take a purchased fly and twist the wings, almost 
 without effort, right round to the body ! Yet this test may be pressed too 
 far ; for whilst it is possible to so tightly and firmly compact a fly that the 
 very fibres of the wing shall first give way, such a degree of compacted 
 strength is by no means requisite in a well-tied fly. It is enough if, after 
 an ordinary amount of pressure, you find that the wings set on by 
 the method described in this book still hold their position. 
 
 By " symmetry," I mean proportion of shape, and to some extent of 
 material. This quality is essential in a good fly. Even in " Exaggera- 
 tions," though in them, as the name implies, we seem to set aside 
 
26 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 some of our usual notions of symmetry, we must retain that general 
 proportion of shape, without which the fly would not fish properly. This 
 consideration supplies the key to what is meant by "symmetry" as a 
 general quality. Symmetry is sought, not for mere beauty of appearance, 
 but for its value as an element of allurement. We want balance of part 
 in a fly, so that it shall pose in the water and not loll about so that it shall 
 advance and retire when required to do so steadily and gracefully, like a 
 finished dancer, and not pitch like a vessel in a head wind, plunge like a 
 rocking-horse, or hang on one side (it should not, in fact, hang at all) 
 from increasing weakness at the juncture with the line. We do not want 
 it to wobble ; or, as in the case of extra long gut-loops and all sorts of 
 metal loops,* to take upon itself the performance of any movement which 
 we cannot provide for or control at our pleasure. A " skirting " fly, too 
 i.e., one that from an overgrown head sheds in its train a stream of 
 subaqueous bubbles of light is an abomination, for " skirting " means 
 scaring. 
 
 All these things, good and bad, depend on "symmetry." For the 
 greatest success, every element of attraction that has been selected should be 
 displayed to the fish. This can only be ensured in a fly that fishes 
 properly when in the water, and a fly fishes properly only when dressed 
 properly and mounted properly. Each feather, each strip, and each fibre 
 must keep its place and show itself there, as the wings, in all alluring 
 naturalness of manner, expand and close in regular order. What is the 
 use of my putting red and blue Swan, Teal, and Canadian Duck in my 
 wings if the fly " rides " so badly or wobbles so much, that a sombre 
 strip of Turkey or Bustard covers these brightening constituents, and 
 hides them from the ever watchful eye that so dotes on a " bit of blue " 
 or speckly black and white ? 
 
 No ; if your fly is not symmetrical it will not obey you, and if all 
 your tackle does not obey your brain, art and science are banished from 
 your sport. Away goes skill in comes chance ! You may put your 
 wings, for example, in the constraining embrace of two strips of feather 
 with a "topping" above, and two good sides of Jungle-fowl below, but 
 all this will not avail to keep the rebels in order under water. The tail, 
 
 * N.B. " Metal loops " signifies eyed hookg. 
 
FEATUHES OF A SALMON FLY. 27 
 
 bunchy and crookedly set on, acts like a helm put hard a-port, one wing 
 has twice as much stuff in it as the other, and so " wobble," " wobble " 
 goes your fly. The body, moreover, has just twice as much fur in it as 
 it ought to have, and so the fly will not fish deep. The head is enormous, 
 and whenever the current is strong enough, produces the fatal string of 
 beads or bubbles of light. The gut loop is defective, it is too long and a 
 hinge is formed at the point of junction with the hook, to help the fly 
 to plunge and rock. The attachment of the single gut to the loop is 
 incorrectly managed, and the wings turn towards one side against 
 stream, and towards the other side down stream. But I shall have 
 occasion to treat fully with these matters hereafter. 
 
 A gradual tapering of the body finds its prototype in nature and is 
 subservient to the good working qualities just discussed. 
 
 A graceful arching of the entire wing is not only an element of 
 symmetry, but also helpful to mobility the quality which follows 
 symmetry in order of importance. It is evident that this arching not only 
 assists towards the general animation of the wing, but by its form helps, 
 to a certain extent, in keeping the play within bounds and especially 
 within the same plane of action. For not only do feathers, set on to 
 curve rightly, resist tendency to side-play and maintain the play in one 
 direction, or, as is said, in one plane, and so all get a fair chance of 
 display in the order of the intended harmony of colour, but they also resist 
 tendency to play too far aloft and away from each other. The wing 
 maintains its character in all respects in full unbroken integrity. To this 
 ruling many may take exception. I well remember giving a highly- finished 
 fly to a friend who, declaring it ' ' only fit for a glass case " instantly rubbed the 
 feathers the wrong way. I then inquired if he thought " that sort of 
 finishing touch would make much difference." " All in the world," he 
 confidently replied, as he " firmly believed in the roughest looking 
 patterns." " Then you had better not mount that one," said I, but I 
 followed this up with : " Directly the stream catches it all the feathers will 
 be washed back into their original position." (He used it.) 
 
 The mobility of a fly is mainly determined by the roughness of the 
 water, the method of working the rod, and the construction of the fly 
 itself. It is obvious that in turbulent, rough-and-tumble waters, a wing 
 
28 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 must, if it is to preserve any consistency at all, be made of stiffer and 
 stouter feathers or fibres than those which would hold their own well 
 enough in quieter reaches. But apart from this, a certain degree of 
 movement is absolutely essential to liveliness in a fly, and this movement 
 is the result of the current coming in contact with it. The movement 
 will vary with the strength of the stream or with the amount of " play " 
 put into the rod-top by the Fisherman. Obviously also, the more mobile 
 the wings, hackle and tail for it is these parts which are concerned in 
 the question the greater the effect produced on them by either of the 
 ministering agencies mentioned. Therefore, to get the same amount of 
 life-like motion out of our flies under differing conditions, we must 
 consider, (1) the state of the water ; (2) whether, on the whole, the place 
 to be fished is rough or quiet, and (3) whether our business is to work the 
 rod-top much or little. The motion given to the fly by a steady and 
 regular movement of the rod, is far more effectual, when practicable, than 
 the " hops " and " skips " resulting either from the effect of swirly waters, 
 or from the rod being worked in a clumsy, harum-scarum manner. 
 
 I have said enough, I think, on this point, to enable the student to 
 work out for himself every rider to the problem. It need only be further 
 remarked that, generally speaking, the smaller the fly, the more mobile in 
 proportion should be the hackles and wing-materials. Of these, should 
 the flies be very small, the best hackles are the most transparent ones 
 without any " list " at all ; and the best feathers for the wings are the 
 finest in texture, always excepting "Horns," "Sides" and golden 
 toppings. For the sake of clearness and order in these remarks we must 
 confine our discussion to colour, simply as a quality of the fly considered 
 by itself and without reference to the actual circumstances which will 
 ultimately govern the Anglers' choice in using it. A simple principle 
 guides us here. Uniformity of means is essential to obtaining uniformity of 
 results under invariable conditions. If we have found success under 
 certain given conditions, our aim must be to restore those conditions, as 
 far as they are within our control. We cannot command rain, or sunshine, 
 or cloud ; but in this or that combination of nature's varying moods, we 
 can resort to the employment of those means which have already proved 
 trustworthy. Ah ! there's the rub, for one day last year I " headed the 
 
CHARACTERISTICS OF A SALMON FLY. 29 
 
 list " by aid of a certain fly, and to-day by reference to my diary, I 
 recognise an absolute repetition of the conditions which prevailed on the 
 "red letter day." The state of things at bankside seems to have gone 
 back just twelve months. And the fish? they are there too; and yet 
 our fly, of the same size exactly, displays his harmonious contrasts in 
 vain. Up with him! Take him in hand "What's the matter, eh?" 
 Looking in our box, there buried at the very bottom actually lies the 
 hero tooth ragged, but not by tooth of time the very conqueror of that 
 memorial day. Laid beside the undefaced imposter he reveals just one 
 point of discrepancy. " Can it be that ? " the body of the hero 
 bedecked with blue characteristics, the body of the failure with red ! 
 Three minutes will confirm the truth of our suspicion . . . the scarred 
 veteran once more buries his barb deep in the jaws of a sixteen pounder. 
 
 We put on the right colour, and colour has done it. And where is 
 the surprise ? 
 
 As a matter of course the dye-pot is often employed to bring Nature 
 up to the requirements of certain pools. 
 
 In dressing his patterns, then, it is manifestly most important that 
 the student should secure by some means, precision in colour, let alone 
 combination of colour. That colour in a fly should be good and true is a 
 statement few will be likely to challenge. The student can best secure 
 this in daylight by means of contrast. Those, however, whose sense 
 of colour is weak must rely on the eye of a friend or on the opinion of a 
 responsible dealer. 
 
 That all dyed colours should be fast, and otherwise free from fault, is 
 evidently needful ; but a certain slow and limited fading " toning 
 down," we might call it at its best comes inevitably with the lapse of 
 time. Nor is it altogether unwelcome, for, when there is no sun to 
 spoil our complexions, fish frequently reject a new fly for a somewhat 
 faded specimen of the identical pattern. 
 
 Natural feathers, besides those dipped in dye, are subject to this 
 toning down. Some suffer more than others, whilst the Golden Bird of 
 Paradise and the leading tail-feathers of an old, healthy Macaw enjoy 
 immunity from the ravages of time and dirty water. 
 
 At the prominent parts of the ordinary (general standard) fly where 
 
30 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 light can freely pass through, viz. : the tail, hackles, and upper outline 
 of the wing, translucent feathers are better at times than those which 
 are opaque ; the superiority of the former consisting in colour radiated 
 all round, and this we see in greater extension when looking through 
 them. They are, therefore, far preferable for places where the sun 
 can shine through the fly-material. (Of course, it is not necessary 
 always to use special flies when the sun "shines.) Opaque feathers can 
 be seen by reflected light only ; semi-transparent feathers often by both 
 reflected and refracted light. 
 
 The location and distribution of colour give scope for study as a 
 matter of taste on the part of the fish. The usual fly-'dressing traditions 
 of colour demand that when the body of a fly is parti-coloured, the 
 lightest colour shall be at the tail-section. One prominent exception 
 is found in " Benchill " the first and best invention of Malloch. The 
 head section of this " successful creation," to quote early criticism, " being 
 of light sky blue, tradition is reversed." 
 
 Then as to distribution, the general character of the fly has to be 
 consulted, and the laws of colour enter to warn us that an equal division 
 of any two colours in a fly by no means leads to a necessarily harmonious 
 result. For instance, a smaller portion of blue or of yellow, in opposition 
 to a larger one of yellow or blue, may establish a harmonious combination 
 much more apparent than two exactly equal portions of these colours. 
 We must decide, in view of general effect, what colours shall go side by 
 side, and how much of each, in proportion to the whole. There is a 
 harmony of balance and a harmony of contrast. The alteration of the 
 colour of the silk of the " tag " will often strongly effect the appearance 
 of the whole fly, especially when viewed from the fish's usual point of 
 view from the rear. 
 
 The kind and amount of tinsel, gold or silver, put on a fly materially 
 modifies the effect of its colours as a rule, enriching and stimulating 
 that effect. Black Ostrich herl as a butt, aids definition and enhances 
 colour, especially yellow, vide " Jock Scott." 
 
 Despite the advance made in dyes and dyeing, and in the substitution 
 of certain naturals, to wit, Chatterer for Kingfisher, it must by no means 
 escape the memory that a fly thoroughly wet exhibits to both man and 
 
STANDARD COLOURS. 31 
 
 fish far different colouring from that of its dry state ; and that, in this 
 regard, certain dyed silks suffer very much in comparison with others. 
 Bad results in the silks themselves can only be detected and avoided 
 by the test of experiment. However, Pearsall & Co. (who, through 
 personal influence and direction, brought out our matchless Gossamer 
 tying-silk) have, at length, effectually overcome all difficulty; not only 
 are their body-silks perfect in quality, but the dyes are perfect also. 
 
 In forming the body of a fly one defect is commonly due, not to the 
 silk itself, but to an undue economy of the material. A. certain thick- 
 ness of silken layer in such work is absolutely requisite, to prevent 
 extra discolouration of its surface by the effect of cobblers' wax, however 
 sparingly the latter has been applied to the tying-silk beneath. This 
 wax, if used in its pure state, though productive of some slight trouble 
 to the novice, has special virtues. It must on no account be messed 
 about with any mixture whatever, and, except at the head of the fly, 
 must not be varnished. 
 
 As my name has been publicly connected with a table of Standard 
 Colours, it may be expected that I shall have something to say 
 here on purity of colour and nomenclature as well. It has been 
 suggested, and with much reason, that a practical code of colours 
 might be constructed on a natural basis instead of an artificial one. 
 Amongst other advantages, a natural code would easily win favour 
 and would not be subject to change : for " lemon," " red plum," 
 "yellow," "apple-green," "violet," "primrose," "orange," and the 
 like (supplied by common and unvarying natural objects) need only 
 such supplementary epithets for skilled hands as "medium," "light," 
 and "very light," " dark," and "very dark." But to meet a fly-dresser's 
 want for some accurate and fixed expressions of colour, indeed, to 
 secure absolute precision all over the world, our best means seem to 
 consist in a correct arrangement of lettering on a copy of a solar 
 spectrum. 
 
 To this idea I have not given enough study to be able to attempt any 
 system at present ; besides, the expense is too much for me. But to 
 give it an airing here may help to do a real service to the Salmon-angling 
 world generally. 
 
32 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 Having discussed at some length the chief qualities which should be 
 looked for in a good fly, we come next to the subject of the materials. 
 
 The Hook. Enough has already been said about the need of strength 
 in this item. The simplest method of testing strength and temper is, to 
 stick the point of the hook into a piece of soft deal and give two or three 
 short tugs in a direction at right angles with the shank, so as to make 
 the hook-curve gape, noting closely whether or not the hook, on release, 
 springs at once back to its original shape without bend or break of any 
 part. If the hook is over-tempered, it will break ; if too soft, remain 
 bent. No hook should be used for fly-tying until it has been tested and 
 its barb and point carefully examined. In the case* of blunt points let 
 not the file be used, but the waste basket instead. Economy here is a 
 mistake and is invariably attended with disappointment. 
 
 With regard to its shape, our purpose being to hook and hold fish, I 
 have ground for preferring, for general purposes, the modern " Limerick " 
 to all other kinds. I had the original shape improved, because, in 
 practice, an alteration seemed to me to be urgently needed. A slight, 
 very slight, outward (not lateral) tendency of the point gives increase of 
 penetration and grip, and makes the hook work into the flesh deeper and 
 deeper during an " engagement." These particulars are put mildly, but 
 the reader may place implicit reliance on the fact that the hook in our 
 picture excels all others, as the moon outshines the minor stars, the truth 
 of which dictum, however, would be completely upset by the erroneous 
 theories which have crept, goodness knows on what grounds, into this 
 subject at one time or another. 
 
 THE IMPROVED LIMERICK HOOK. 
 
 When the point of the " Improved Limerick," which deviates verti- 
 cally from the shank, comes in contact with a fish's mouth, the " line of 
 
Plate 1. 
 
 
 THE BLACK RANGER. 
 
 THE INFALLIBLE 
 
 BRITANNIA . 
 
 JOCK SCOTT. 
 
 THE CHAMPION 
 
 THE BLACK DOSE 
 
THE HOOK. 33 
 
 pull " and the angle of impact are certainly not parallel ; that is to say, 
 the line of pull does not coincide at the time of striking with the direction 
 of the force applied. Hence the remarkable popularity and unlimited 
 success of this particular design. 
 
 In striking fish, the hook, being in a vertical position, the point thus 
 shaped obviously takes a slight downward course, and this provides us 
 with ample proof that the chances of hooking and holding are augmented, 
 if not actually redoubled. Herein lies the secret a secret not infrequently 
 unfolded to us in every-day working experience. 
 
 As to the questions concerning " angles" of impact, " coincidence of 
 line of pull," and "directions of force applied," they involve considerations 
 too tedious perhaps too deep for these pages, and I shall pass them by 
 without further words ; but knowledge derived from experiment and 
 careful daily observation in my own practice will justify an endeavour to 
 clear up several doubtful questions. 
 
 Now the maximum of metal consistent with the living powers of the 
 fly is not only an element of its strength, but also helps us to fish deep, 
 and admits of a more plentiful dressing in proportion to the size of the 
 hook ; a by no means " despicable advantage," where the local tastes of 
 the fish have to be consulted. A real gain arising from this extra strength 
 promptly reveals itself in a contest with a " grubbing "* fish. I certainly 
 prefer stout hooks where flies are heavily dressed on the Tweed or Usk 
 for instance ; but where fish are as shy as Thames Trout, and quite as 
 well educated as the Salmon in the Lee, I often find myself using fine 
 hooks. Of these, for the North, the best, in my opinion, are the long- 
 shanked, hammered hooks i.e., those with flattened sides, as sold at 
 Winchester by Holland. Their chief merits consist in the increased 
 depth of bend, and superior manufacture. 
 
 The shank end of our hook tapers fairly well to a point, chiefly in 
 order to get a small head to a fly, whilst the increase of flexibility gained 
 by this taper obviously establishes a more harmonious, and, therefore, a 
 more lasting, connection between the supple gut-loop and the rigid rnetal 
 shank. 
 
 When hooked through or near a bone, a fish " grubs "tries to disengage itself by 
 knocking the hook against boulders. 
 
 1) 
 
34 THE, SALMON FLY. 
 
 Perhaps, however, I should just remark that some years ago there 
 appeared a statement in a well-known work on angling, which has been 
 read far and wide, to the effect that, in striking a fish, the " line of pull " 
 ought to coincide with the direction of the force applied ! So plainly did 
 the writer state his ideas, and so convincingly did he express himself 
 about the matter that the worst* hook of all was introduced by somebody 
 or other, and strongly recommended by him. 
 
 Hardly any statement could have been more injurious to Fishermen 
 than this. The " line of pull " has no such meaning, as I intend now to 
 demonstrate. 
 
 On fastening the moistened " cast " to the gut-loop, which we know 
 is best placed under the shank of the hook, the Angler takes about a foot 
 of the attached gut in his right hand, and, whilst holding the bend of the 
 hook in his left, gives a few firm tugs so as to fasten the knot in the 
 position whereby the trace (or cast) shall work as straight as possible in a, 
 true line with the shank. This is what is meant by the " pull," which, 
 in reality, is an expression as well as a scheme of my own. The Angler 
 next proceeds to test his work in the water to play the fly in front of 
 him, in order to see that it swims properly ; for it may yet fail to fish 
 straight, and so require his further attention. The reader may well under- 
 stand that some little time would elapse before the hook, improperly 
 mounted that is, crookedly mounted could work itself, by the strain 
 put on it in casting, into the position which would give it the best chance 
 to penetrate properly. If " the pull " were in a direct line of the point of 
 the hook, in striking the fish the point would be apt only to scrape the 
 skin ; at any rate, it would be more liable to do so than to work into the 
 flesh. 
 
 But I have not quite done with the matter yet. 
 
 In the foregoing engraving we see, so far as my experience extends, the 
 perfection of a hook. In our mind's eye we easily observe what happens 
 when the fly is well mounted and the tackle arranged and attached as 
 
 * I allude to the hook having a turned-up metal eye, with its point turning towards the 
 shank turning inwards, in other words. It is "worst" because (1) it see-saws when " played " 
 in the water, instead of advancing and retreating in a perfectly straight line. (2) Because 
 if it should hook a fish, the subsequent strain of the rod tends to bring the point out instead of 
 sending it in deeper. 
 
THE "LINE OF PULL." 
 
 35 
 
 described elsewhere that is to say, we realise not only the extreme 
 likelihood of the hook catching hold, but also the ease with which the 
 point of it works deeper and deeper during a fight with a fish, for the 
 barb works as a wedge to imbed it. Such evidence is, to the unbiassed 
 mind, irresistible. 
 
 Of course, writers take their own views and inculcate their own ideas 
 of the hooks they themselves fancy. But men, now-a-days, want facts 
 not fancies, and we must all stand shoulder to shoulder in defence of the 
 former, otherwise this branch of my subject might just as well have been 
 left unwritten. 
 
 I hope that I seldom find fault without just cause ; but when the 
 mania for eyed hooks broke out afresh I pointed out their faults, and 
 persistently maintained that they never could and never would become 
 popular. I predicted and published my opinion as to what would happen 
 
 THE PULL. 
 
 in regard to " the pull " with those hooks having turned-up eyes. I need 
 not make quotations, for the student who has followed the foregoing 
 arguments will clearly perceive the awkward results of attaching the cast 
 to a hook of that sort. 
 
 D2 
 
36 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 In the accompanying diagram No. 1 the reader will see an exact copy 
 of one of my hooks with a piece of string attached for the purpose of 
 demonstrating the true effect of " the pull " i.e., the string made fast in 
 a line with the shank. 
 
 No. 2 indicates the false effect when the string (or the gut-line, it is 
 immaterial which be used) is attached to a hook with an eye turned up. 
 
 Gut-loops administer to the result of " the pull " ; metal loops (or 
 eyes), besides having other faults, oppose it. Of course, much depends 
 on the material as well as the make of gut-loops, a subject which I shall 
 fully discuss later on. 
 
 I am not in favour of "eyed" hooks. The plain truth is that metal 
 eyes are infinitely worse to fish with than gut-loops. Fix the line to a 
 metal eye of any shape in whatever way you will, and the proverbial 
 "hinge" soon comes in the gut close to the metal ; and this causes the 
 shank to hang in the water instead of keeping in a horizontal position. 
 
 The one solitary advantage in eyed hooks, which, curiously enough, 
 their most ardent champions have overlooked, is that upon them flies can 
 be dressed with extremely slender bodies. (It is quite a relief to find 
 some redeeming quality.) In Ireland this is a decided advantage. 
 
 "Ah! yer honour, give me that!" the shrewd Irish gillie would 
 exclaim; " it's a foine, sleek-bodied divil entoirely." 
 
 But as a set-off against this, the feather work requires careful and 
 very unusual treatment, or the fly will quickly fall to pieces. 
 
 Perhaps I should not quit the subject of the hook's point without 
 just mentioning that a man may start to fish with a hook whose point is 
 bent absolutely sideways if he likes, but the chances of his coming home 
 quite satisfied are not enhanced one atom ; at least, I always found it so. 
 I shall not go so far as to say that double hooks are undoubtedly to 
 be preferred to single. I think so myself ; but I would rather disclose 
 my reasons for so thinking than make a needlessly strong, imperative 
 statement. First, they give a double chance of hooking a fish ; and 
 secondly, a double chance of holding it. 
 
 But, here again a great deal has been written (I must speak plainly) 
 by men ready to pre-judge these hooks from their own unfortunate 
 experience. Of these true Britons one has tried them by his own peculiar 
 
DOUBLE HOOKS. 37 
 
 mode of striking; one by that of not striking at all, few by the right 
 means, while some find fault without condescending to argument, and 
 condemn them off-hand. 
 
 It has been said, and in places the statement has been generally 
 believed, that " doubles " tear the flesh more than " singles " ; also, that 
 " during a fight one hook helps the other out." Doubtless these ideas 
 originate, as I will show, from the old-fashioned principle of striking 
 followed in using them. 
 
 In that admirable and instructive work, the Badminton Library, 
 a gentleman of high angling ability a Napoleon of the " Overhand " 
 observes : " Long before the question as to the advantage of striking from 
 the winch when using double hooks was discussed in the Sporting Press, 
 I had given the double hook plan an extensive trial, but I lost so many 
 fish with them that I gave them up." And in a letter to the " Fishing 
 Gazette" the same authority goes on to remark: "All I said about 
 double hooks (he was referring to a former letter) was that I had not been 
 successful with them, and that, perhaps, this was in consequence of my 
 not having adopted Mr. Kelson's plan of striking from the winch." I 
 call attention to the word " perhaps " italicised here, as showing the care 
 and judgment of the original writer on the subject. 
 
 But, on the other hand, Colonel Richardson throws an interesting 
 side-light on the situation by a rather significant statement made in a 
 letter to me to the effect "that the success of double hooks is in propor- 
 tion as the means applied are adequate or inadequate. I never liked 
 double hooks till I bought your winch at Farlow's, but I get a lot of fish 
 with them now, and hardly ever miss one when I limit myself to size. 
 A 2-0 hook is my largest." 
 
 Whilst endeavouring to remove the general stigma which these 
 hooks have long borne, I shall hope not to offend the susceptibilities of 
 any gentleman who does not concur in my opinion. 
 
 Now I am perfectly ready to admit that the value of certain fishing 
 inventions call them " novelties " if you will can be very easily 
 estimated ; but anyone can see with half an eye that the questions 
 touching on double hooks are not to be decided in a dining-room. Not 
 even at the river-side can they be judged effectually without much 
 
38 THE SALMON PLY. 
 
 experience in the matter of " presentation " as well as in the right and 
 proper method of striking Salmon. Experience in the use of these hooks 
 gained in a district where they are invariably used with perfection due to 
 long habit, as on tho Tweed, is more likely to prove valuable than merely 
 a few temporary trials of an ordinary description. 
 
 After everything is said and done the fact seems to me indisputable, 
 that in striking from the winch these hooks penetrate and remain fixed 
 immovably in their place. And I maintain that the efficiency of the 
 Lever Winch, which is fully explained in another chapter, has been 
 abundantly proved by its successes. I have only to add here that double 
 hooks are of great value to Anglers. They are generally used until fine 
 tackle is indispensable ; and on the Tweed there is an absolute unanimity 
 of opinion in their favour, for not only amateurs these the foremost 
 amateurs but people of all ranks use them up to a certain size, even in 
 the lowest and brightest waters possible. It should, however, be borne 
 in mind that people can be easily mistaken in regard to striking Salmon. 
 Some think and say they never strike at all, though I must incidentally 
 remark that I have never yet seen any Fisherman fail to put the hook into 
 the fish by an uplifting of the rod. If that is not striking, I really do not 
 know what is. 
 
 Gut-loops should always be made of the best gut twisted tightly, as 
 explained in Chapter VIII., and provided always that they are stout 
 enough and small enough, gut-loops, sufficiently twisted, will last longer 
 than the flies themselves. In renewing a fly, I use mine again and again, 
 doubling the gut at a different part. 
 
 The Tag is a valuable component in a fly. It plays a prominent 
 part in the tout ensemble of mobility. The fly is usually seen by the fish 
 from the rear, so that the " tag " is the point of the body nearest to him, 
 and dominates the perspective of the whole. Kemove the "tag," and the 
 character of the fly, when viewed from that position, is often entirely 
 changed. 
 
 Again, the " tag " is of importance in assisting the taper of the body, 
 and in covering the part of the hook that must otherwise remain bare ; 
 for, as a rule, the body could not be extended to greater length to fill the 
 place without disturbing the safe and proper proportions of the fly. 
 
THE TAG. 39 
 
 Furthermore, the tag is more or less a tribute to nature. Many flies, 
 moths, and butterflies show marked alteration in colour at the extremity 
 of the body. And so nature confirms what experience suggests. 
 
 It is interesting to trace the history of the "tag." Flies of a century 
 ago were rarely, if ever, adorned with it. I can well remember that, in 
 my earlier days, tags were invariably made with orange silk. Suddenly, 
 however, Anglers on the Usk discovered that scarlet floss was an im- 
 provement, and in other places the fact was speedily confirmed. Indeed, 
 I myself found that on other rivers Salmon decidedly prefer scarlet to 
 orange. This lucky discovery led to my introducing into use several 
 well-known standard flies " Lady d'Eresby," with a blue tag ; " Strath- 
 spey," with a violet one ; " Nightshade," with pink ; " Captain Walton," 
 with cream ; and many others. 
 
 In this new field of speculation I was soon followed by Wright, of 
 Sprouston, who invented a " blue-tagged " fly that won for itself local 
 honours and many admirers. Farlow, whose best is the "Baron," with a 
 dark red-claret tag, and Bernard, of Church Passage, chimed in. The 
 hint was soon taken by amateurs and the trade generally, and the tag has 
 now won a distinguished place in the estimation of Anglers of varied 
 experience. 
 
 Tags are usually made in two parts first, gold or silver twist ; next, 
 floss silk. Directions for using these materials will be given in the next 
 chapter. 
 
 Discussing the subject of tags one day by the river-side, a brother 
 Angler asked me the following question: "Did you or any other man ever 
 see a black and white dog having any white at all in its tail that didn't 
 have it at the tip '? " 
 
 The " Tail " of a fly comes next, and is of great service. It used to be 
 the fashion to employ here nothing but golden "toppings " ; but as the 
 reader has heard enough of old fashions, his attention had better be drawn 
 to forms new and approved. Besides " toppings," we use for " tails " 
 tippet fibres and other parts of the Golden Pheasant ; Toucan breast and 
 under-tail ; strips or sprigs of Teal and Canadian Duck, Macaw, Jungle- 
 fowl, and feathers from the Chatterer, Indian Crow, Tanager, Blue 
 Creeper, and others that are supple and showy, coloured and speckled. 
 
40 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 In the more elaborate "tails" choice may be made of every thin-fibred 
 wing-feather in our collection, so long as they are used in moderation. 
 
 Spreading tails, sometimes flat, sometimes in set-sail fashion, 
 resembling closed butterflies' wings, are effective and telling. Tails 
 may be " built" like wings, but- with the fibres pointing upward. As a 
 formal example, portions of yellow Macaw, Canadian Duck, Peacock 
 wing, and powdered blue Macaw, all curving in one direction, with a 
 similar set to back them, taken, of course, from the other side of feathers, 
 make a grand mixture. But when this mixture is brought into requisi- 
 tion, the flies should be butted for, hold the scissors in cutting off the 
 stumps in whatever manner you choose, a taper is formed which points 
 the wrong way. The " butt " of Ostrich (the herl itself tapering well to 
 a point) comes to the rescue, and brings matters right by covering the 
 stumps remaining. If the fly is to be of the type known as " shovel- 
 tailed," a similar mischievous tapering arises, and should be treated in 
 the same way by the Ostrich herl. These matters will be better under- 
 stood after perusal of the next chapter. 
 
 " Body." Of the three materials, Pig's wool, mohair, and Seal's fur, 
 the last named (being the last introduced into use) is superior to either of 
 the others for general purposes, as it is more tractable than Pig's wool, 
 and more brilliant and alluring than niohair. It is to be observed, 
 however, that where bulk of colour is a desideratum, as in the "Beacons- 
 field," mohair is still occasionally employed. On the other hand, the 
 more sombre Berlin wool is sometimes preferred, as on Speyside. 
 
 In selecting Seal's fur, see that it is even in texture, rather hairy than 
 woolly in character, and even in colour. Inferior samples are dull, lumpy, 
 short, and downy. 
 
 Owing to its comparative coarseness and length, Pig's wool, now-a- 
 days, is rarely employed except in large flies, for which use it has 
 manifest advantages. Being the most brilliant of all dyed materials, 
 except, perhaps, Goat's beard, it is unrivalled. To secure with it an 
 evenly-tapered body careful treatment is required. The "wool" (for that 
 is the usual name given to it) should first be rolled between the fingers, 
 so that it forms a tapered length to spin on to the tying silk. Other 
 furs are sometimes used for special patterns. The Silver Monkey is 
 
THE BODY FLY. 41 
 
 particularly valuable. Berlin wools are occasionally called for, but rarely 
 by myself, as I prefer Seal's fur. When coils are wanted, as in Sun-flies, 
 Berlin wool conies in handy for the purpose. 
 
 Mohair can be passed over, as I have said all that is needful. 
 
 As body-material, silks are of less equal value than furs if the stock 
 of flies is to be a catholic one. The main care in procuring silk should 
 be to get really fast colours, and, therefore, in purchasing, a first-class 
 tackle shop is to be preferred to a Berlin depot. These floss silks are 
 best stored in glazed paper, and laid straight in the length in which they 
 are usually sold. The best silk in the market. I repeat, is " Pearsalls 
 French Floss," dyed with his special unfading Eastern dyes. 
 
 Bodies are also made in part or wholly of chenille, in various colours. 
 The "Black Creeper," well known on the Earn and Usk, is a most useful 
 variety of Grub. It kills on some Scotch rivers in bright weather, and 
 throughout Wales in dull. 
 
 Tinselled chenilles are also popular the " Glowworm " (copper) 
 to wit ; and there are also bodies of silver and of gold tinsel, as everyone 
 knows. 
 
 The materials named are those in commonest use, but, of course, 
 there is a wider field for the adaptive inventiveness of the artist. Mr. 
 Basil Field, for example, has successfully used a change on the silver 
 body a fly known as the " Kendle " is made by him of white floss silk, 
 covered with gold beater's skin. Again, a body may be covered with 
 small feathers, as in the " Chatterer." 
 
 Ribbings are chiefly of silver or gold tinsel (flat or oval), or lace, 
 used singly or in combination with each other, and sometimes with floss 
 silk, as in " Black Dog." There is a great difference of quality in these 
 materials. Only the best should be used. Especially does this caution 
 apply to oval tinsel, which is now-a-days so much in request. It has the 
 merit over flat tinsel that it is not liable to become wholly severed by one 
 rake of the Salmon's tooth, and so unwinding to the utter disablement of 
 the fly. 
 
 To prevent confusion, the names of the several kinds are here given 
 according to the system in general use among amateur fly-dressers. The 
 manufacturers have unfortunately lately started a new series of names ; 
 
42 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 these are given in brackets as employed by Kenning, the wholesale maker 
 of all the varieties here mentioned. 
 
 Thread. Solid round gold or silver wire. 
 
 Twist (thread) . Is a white floss silk entirely covered with windings of 
 fine silver wire ; it is round, and used principally for " tags." 
 
 Lace (Twist). Is compound "twist" i.e., three lengths twisted 
 together. 
 
 Tinsel (Plate) is either flat or oval. "Flat tinsel" is a ribbon of 
 gold or silver made by flattening solid metal wire. " Oval tinsel " (Flat- 
 worm) is made on the same principle as "twist," but is much stouter, 
 and, in section, oval instead of round. The encircling silver or gold 
 thread may be severed, but the silk core, with which this sort is pro- 
 vided, holds on, and, by its tightness, prevents the thread from unwind- 
 ing. It is altogether better than flat tinsel and easier handled in work, 
 but is not as yet made sufficiently broad for very large patterns. 
 
 Embossed Tinsel is also made in silver and gold, and lends the pretty 
 effect of subdued brilliance to a body, as seen in the " Dusty Miller " and 
 in the " Dunkeld," but it must be handled gently, as being of a very 
 brittle nature. 
 
 With regard to the colour of twists and tinsels, silver is generally 
 preferred for the Spring fishing, gold for the Autumn. Where, however, 
 there is a preponderance of yellow tones on the body, I prefer silver early 
 in the day, the rays of the gold being signally eclipsed by the materials it 
 embraces ; and gold in the afternoon. 
 
 For brightening tinsels of all sorts other than tinselled chenilles, 
 Steven's " Silicon tablet " should be used. It is sold by Mr. Thomas, 
 Chemist, Talbot Road, W. The little cardboard box contains a brush 
 and a piece of wash-leather. The former is useful for polishing old silver 
 bodies ; the latter for twists and tinsels before being employed in fly- 
 work. Silicon is used sparingly for gold. In polishing with the leather 
 the tweezers are applied to those tinsels having a silk core, a small 
 portion of which is exposed by nipping off the metal covering. The 
 length for use is pulled with them through the wash-leather, not to the 
 end, but near thereto ; then the length is reversed and pulled through in 
 the contrary direction. 
 
HACKLES. 43 
 
 Hackles. For a body-hackle, shape is a quality of importance, as, 
 when wound on, the fibres ought to increase in length from the tail end 
 of the body up to the throat. In some flies of mine, the " Penpergwm 
 Pet " for instance, the fibres reach from the throat to the hook-point, or 
 even beyond. In the case of the throat-hackle, . this taper is not so 
 requisite. 
 
 Experience will soon bring skill in choosing the right size of hackle 
 for any definite pattern. The number of usual coils of a body-hackle is 
 one less than the ribs, which are formed of gold or silver tinsel. The 
 ribs number five generally, and overlap the point of the hackle at the 
 beginning of the second coil. About three coils of the butt end of the 
 hackle should, however, be reserved to form, or help to form, the throat. 
 But much latitude is allowed as to the total amount of hackle to be 
 displayed at the throat. A separate hackle is often put on in addition. 
 
 In all hackles, save and except those of the Eagle and Spey-cock 
 tribe, get rid of all fluff at the root. In ordinary Cock's hackles, undyed, 
 select those which are transparent, shiny, deepest in colour, and pro- 
 portionately good in that respect underneath. A red "furnace," for 
 instance, should not be of a very light appearance on the wrong side. 
 These ordinary fowl's hackles must never carry a "cheesy " list i.e., a 
 dull, opaque centre list tapering towards the point of the feather. The 
 best Irish hackles are free from this blemish, which, however, must not 
 be mistaken for the useful black list, as in " coch-a-bonddus." True 
 "Eagle's" hackles are, so to speak, all fluff. They are wanted for certain 
 purposes in fishing, but are expensive, and will probably increase in price. 
 When pure white, perhaps no feathers dye so well. For my own use, 
 especially as regards smallish flies, I have long since put up with samples 
 after the form and character of the original ; and no doubt dressers will 
 be glad to know of them. They are taken from the thigh of a light- 
 coloured hen Pheasant, are of a dirty white appearance, and have a broad 
 mouse-coloured list from the middle part to the butt. These hackles are 
 less in sizs and are not so fluffy as Eagle's. But for the Spey and other 
 rivers (if there are any), where it is the practice to work the hackles on 
 the hook from the butt of the feather, I prefer to use the breast of the 
 common Bittern. These require to be dyed, otherwise nearly all of them 
 
44 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 are useless. They, moreover, need careful handling, but are strong 
 enough when made up, and, by being longer at the point than at the 
 butt, want no reversing to meet the object in view. 
 
 Comparing natural (ordinary) hackles with the dyed, we claim for 
 the former that they fade but little, do not change their tone in water, 
 and do not tarnish tinsel by contact, as some dyed feathers are liable to 
 do. Good ones are difficult to get. 
 
 For dyed hackles we must claim, on the other hand, that they can 
 be fairly well shifted from a "hospital " fly to a new one. (N.B. Always 
 keep a hospital for broken down flies, they frequently serve as materials 
 if not wanted as specimens.) This shifting is chiefly owing to the fact 
 that less material is used to produce a desired effect. Dyed hackles are 
 easily obtained at any tackle shop. 
 
 Doubtless the art of dyeing is much improved, and will continue to- 
 improve ; but hitherto it is far from perfect, particularly with regard to 
 the blues. The best blue I know of, No. 3099, and the best yellow, called 
 " Best Yellow," are easily obtained with Woolley's dye (Market Street, 
 Manchester). 
 
 However well hackles may be dyed, with the exception of fiery 
 browns, they never look so well, even when fresh, or are so effective in 
 the water as natural ones. Take, for instance, the hackles of a Golden 
 Bird of Paradise, the best dyed orange hackle in creation would be simply 
 nowhere in competition with it. Where, again, is there a dyed blue 
 hackle to compete favourably with the Jay, or, when no great amount of 
 colour is needed, with the Vulturine Guinea fowl? This condition of 
 depth of tone being conceded, mention also must be made of both the 
 orange and red hackles of the Golden Pheasant. 
 
 I know of no dye or method of dyeing that will hit off to our liking 
 that metallic lustrous sheen, which is a conspicuous feature on some of 
 our best natural feathers, such as those on the back of the wild 
 Turkey. The apparent resemblance produced by chemical combinations 
 is a complete failure for practical purposes. When Seal's fur became 
 more fashionable than Pig's wool, I accidentally produced this lambent 
 sheen, and made a large stock of flies with various wing materials ; but I 
 soon found them to be utterly useless, except in discoloured waters. 
 
HACKLES. 
 
 45 
 
 As to black hackles it is well generally to use natural, and not dyed 
 feathers. In discoloured water, however, the dyed shows surprisingly 
 more ; in fact, under such condition one never thinks of using a 
 "natural," except on an emergency. They are not necessarily black 
 before being dyed, and when originally white, they are even more con- 
 spicuous to the fish in the state of water just mentioned. This is not 
 because white dyes a better black than anything else, but because the 
 white hackles we dye are of a different consistency. Natural blacks, as a 
 rule, are out and out the best in clear water ; not only that, they are more 
 mobile and last twice as long. Further observations as to their special 
 use are made in another chapter. The chief feature to avoid in selecting 
 natural blacks is the " cheesy list," previously mentioned ; and our 
 special object should be to seek a really deep black with a shiny surface. 
 
 The hackles most commonly used are the following : 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 GOLDEN BIRD OF PAKADISE. 
 
 .SMALL VULTUEINE GUINEA FOWL. 
 
 Cocks' hackles. The best, both in shape and degree of firmness, 
 corne from the neck ; but feathers from the back are used on pressing 
 necessity, or for Grubs. 
 
 The special varieties of these are : 
 
 1. Furnace hackles. A red Cock's hackle with a tapered black list 
 running up the centre ; White furnace are white with a black list ; Blue, 
 with a blue list. 
 
 The distinction between " furnace " and " coch-a-bonddu " is of very 
 old date. I have specimens of each collected in Wales by my Father in 
 1836, and carefully labelled by him with their different names. " Coch- 
 a-bonddu," a Welsh word, signifies "red, with a black band." The 
 advantage of giving the two names, " furnace " and " coch-a-bonddu," is 
 so obvious, and the benefit derived from extending the signification to 
 other feathers of their nature so apparent, that I make no apology for the 
 nomenclature which I have given above. 
 
 2. Cocli-a-bonddu hackles. A furnace hackle with black points. 
 But the colour between the list and points of blue " coch-a-bonddus " 
 varies. It may be of a reddish tinge, grizzly-grey, honey, or golden. 
 Dipped in Bismarck-brown aniline dye (Woolley & Co., Manchester), this 
 is one of the best of all hackles for general use in dead low water. White 
 " coch-a-bonddus " may be dyed any colour. These are great favourites, 
 
HACKLES. 47 
 
 and I always "disgrace" " Childers " by dressing him with one dyed 
 yellow the black points being far more effective than those of the 
 furnace-hackle. 
 
 3. Knee-cap hackles (a cross between Malay and Polish fowls). A 
 red Cock's hackle with a slightly irregular black streak tapering, and 
 running through the centre of red fibres on each side of the quill. The 
 colours are much the same as in the " coch-a-bonddu," only that they are 
 placed differently, as shown in the picture. They are very scarce. 
 
 4. Irish-grey hackles. A transparent, silver hackle, spotted and 
 scored with dark pencillings. For Standard flies, Nondescripts and 
 Grubs, the value of these feathers can scarcely be over estimated. They 
 look well, and pay well, when put along the body of any sort or colour, 
 and I have invariably found them useful in bright water, let the river be 
 what it may. With the " Purple Emperor," dressed without the hen 
 Pheasant at throat, I killed fourteen fish at Knockando in May, 1892, 
 before changing the fly. 
 
 5. Monkey hackles. A transparent grey hackle having a series of 
 curiously-shaped dark blotches on each side of the quill resembling a cat 
 in a sitting posture. For Grubs these are invaluable. With the " Ringlet," 
 at the time it was introduced at Usk, I killed, in one week, thirteen 
 Salmon (averaging nearly 1(5 Ibs.), when the water was low and winged 
 flies played out. 
 
 Of Heron's hackles, I have a few words to say. Most of us know 
 the ordinary grey Heron hackle is effective on many rivers. But on 
 many other rivers it is underrated, for I often use the feather with success 
 where Herons are unfashionable. Anglers are apt to fancy that because 
 the hackle is twice as long as the hook the fly is thereby made twice as 
 large. This is a mistake. The size of a fly is estimated by the length of 
 its body rather than by the length of the hackle it carries. For some 
 flies, as, for instance, the " Rough Grouse," the grey Heron is altogether 
 surpassed by the " Crown Pigeon " hackle. The cinnamon Herons, of 
 which there are several species, are not all of equal value. Of these, the 
 Nankeen Night Heron (Nycticorax calidonicus), of New South Wales, 
 provides a large number of exquisite hackles and wing feathers, and so 
 does the one known as Nijcticorax Manillensis. The Demigretta gulansia 
 the best of the black species. 
 
48 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 Among other natural hackles we have Bustard ; the Lineated Bittern 
 (Tigrisoitia lineatum) from South America, which is superior to that 
 from British Guiana, and of great value for its numerous cinnamon-brown 
 mottled hackles of all sizes ; Grouse, Partridge, Guinea fowl, Teal, Pintail, 
 Widgeon, &c. 
 
 Yellow hackles are the easiest to get dyed and the most difficult to 
 get undyed. Toucan's, however, are very useful, and scarcely fade in 
 work. They are small and very fine in texture, so three times the 
 ubual amount is required for a fly. Yellow Macaics, on the contrary, are 
 coarse and more opaque. These are used sparingly. But by far the best 
 orange hackle, as yet discovered, comes from the neck of the Golden Bird 
 of Paradise (Xanthomelus aureus), a native of New Guinea. This bird is 
 about the size and shape of our missel thrush, and carries hundreds of 
 magnificent hackles around its neck (see illustrated hackles). For 
 "throats" or for Grubs, even for wings, these deadly feathers are perfect. 
 They play exquisitely in the water, never fade, and, though fine in fibre, 
 do not break or wear at the points. 
 
 Speckled Yellow is got from dyed Gallina (a feather we prize highly 
 and dye many colours), Teal, and Widgeon. 
 
 Blue hackles. The best natural blues are taken from Jays, Vulturine, 
 Guinea fowls, and from the Pitta (bertse) from Borneo. 
 
 Jay's are scored with black bars ; the two latter birds are of a pale 
 blue, though the "Tocate" is of superlative brilliance. In mobility, 
 Vulturine's are best, and as long in fibre as a medium Guinea-fowl hackle. 
 Blue Macaw hackles, deep in tone, are no favourites of mine. A good 
 blue in fact, the best I have ever obtained is easily secured by using 
 as much of the powder as would thinly cover a threepenny piece of the 
 blue dye just mentioned, No. 3099 (sold by Woolley & Co., of Manchester) 
 in one pint of water. The plan is to first boil the dye in a saucepan, and, 
 when removed from the fire, to immerse the hackles for a few minutes. 
 They should be tied in dozens to the end of a stick, and well worked about 
 in the dye. Choose the whitest looking feathers. On taking them out 
 rub them on both sides, from roots to points, with a piece of transparent 
 glycerine soap; wash, and dry. Turnbull of Edinburgh, Holland of 
 Winchester, and Malloch of Perth have supplied me with some useful 
 
SPLITTING THE JAY. 
 
 49 
 
 specimens. The Jay, however, for all-round work is the general favourite ; 
 but the feather must be split, as one side is useless. For dressing, choose 
 feathers coloured on the right side of the quill, or they will have to be 
 wound on the hook the reverse way, much to the annoyance of young 
 dressers. 
 
 The easiest method of splitting the Jay is that of Major Traherne. 
 
 SPLITTING THE JAY. 
 
 The butt end of the feather is fastened in a fly-maker's vice, as 
 shown, the best side uppermost. Seize the right and left fibres at the 
 very point of the feather with the fore-finger and thumb of both hands, 
 their backs facing outwards and slightly towards the ground. Keep the 
 
 E 
 
50 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 feather taut and pull gently yet towards you, when the quill will begin to 
 split. Continue pulling steadily in this way till the feat is accomplished. 
 Take care not to pull harder on one side than on the other, especially at 
 starting. Next place the side to be used on a smooth, hard surface, the 
 point end towards you, the butt away from you. Press the fore-finger on 
 the point, the second finger on the butt, and, with a fine, sharp-pointed 
 penknife, scrape away any remaining pith until not a particle remains, 
 This delicate operation must be done with a light hand, or the quill will 
 be severed. If the feather does not split as you wish, cut off with quite 
 the point of the knife, say, half the quill by one stroke of the blade from 
 end to end, and the feather is ready for use. 
 
 For myself, however, I never use a vice for any purpose. I find it 
 easy enough in this case to seize the fibres in the way described above, 
 and then place the butt of the feather between the teeth, and pull the 
 coloured side away. Perhaps the vice may be used in making the 
 bodies of all such patterns as " The Chatterer " ; for when numberless 
 small feathers constitute the body of a fly, the dresser holds the hook, not 
 by the bend, as usual, but by the shank. Unless his fingers are in good 
 fettle, the vice, under the circumstances, might be of some little service 
 to him, especially in putting on Strip wings. 
 
 The old books on fly-dressing used to give directions for stripping off 
 one side of a Cock's hackle, but this plan is a mistake. All hackles, 
 equally coloured right and left of the quill, should be "doubled" before 
 use. One hackle thus serves to take the place of two which were 
 formerly used ; the fly fishes better, and money is saved. Directions for 
 " doubling " are given in Chapter III., in company with an Illustration 
 of the process. But to meet the purpose needed, in some parts of Wales 
 it is commonly supposed that these feathers can be "licked into shape," 
 and that by " doubling," the fibres are bent and spoilt at their roots. 
 This idea is an illusion, seeing that the minute portion of each fibre bent 
 by the necessary pressure given is restored in the process of winding. 
 The ha,ckle being wound on its side, the stem " bites " the very portion 
 supposed to be injured, with the result that the " spring " and " spread " 
 of the lower fibres are, in all respects, equal to that of the upper ones. 
 
 Wings. Before detailing the kinds of feathers most commonly in 
 
CHOICE AND LOCATION OF FEATHERS. 51 
 
 use, it may be well to offer some remarks of a general nature upon them. 
 To become an adept in tbe selection and manipulation of these materials, 
 and for securing in the fly a permanent obedience to pattern, the student 
 should make himself familiar with the characteristic qualities of the 
 feathers, not only those which distinguish one bird from another, but 
 those from different parts of the same bird. For example, he should 
 learn that certain kinds of feathers are more easily induced to " marry " 
 than others, and that those of a stiffer nature are best placed lowest in the 
 wing in order to ensure the necessary quality of mobility ; thus, in work- 
 ing with Mallard, Teal, and Golden Pheasant tail, the Mallard poses 
 above, and the Teal in the centre. Also, that a leading tail feather of 
 the Golden Pheasant, in point of tractability and ease of manipulation, 
 is out of all comparison to be preferred to other tail feathers from the 
 same bird. 
 
 It is- hardly necessary to insist that feathers should be gathered at 
 the right season of the year. The best season for almost all English bred 
 birds is Christmas, at which time the new livery has neither been 
 tarnished by wear, nor by the rays of a burning sun. But there are 
 exceptions. Early in the autumn, for instance, the Golden Pheasant, 
 reared in this country, struts about in its new outfit before other birds 
 begin to cast off their seedy summer coats. Again, a good speckled Teal 
 is rarely, if ever, met with till the end of the month of January. During 
 summer and autumn the feathers of birds, as a rule, are faded and limp 
 a condition the fly-dresser always avoids. No necks change more in 
 colour, or quality between winter and summer, than the well-known 
 blue-duns. 
 
 Writers have very properly objected to the prevailing practice of 
 stripping birds of their winter covering. The scissors should always be 
 used ; the operation then is painless, and with a little extra protection in 
 the fowl-house at night, the birds never suffer. "Pulling necks" is 
 injurious, for the next crop will team with lighter and weaker feathers, 
 whereas the scissors tend to produce an opposite effect. Free feeding 
 with hernpseed in the moulting season, once every other day, makes a 
 vast difference to feathers in fineness, transparency, sheen, pencillings, 
 and depth of tone. The feathers of mature birds are better than those 
 
 E2 
 
52 THF SALMON FLY. 
 
 of young ones. This is very noticeable with Turkeys ; the best " white 
 tips " for " Jock Scott " are sometimes found under the tail of old male 
 birds, and at the bottom of the back. Feathers should be obtained as 
 fresh as possible. " Peacocks " tails, especially, soon become brittle and 
 lose their virtue. I preserve my collection in tin boxes, and sprinkle 
 among them crystals of naphthaline, which is the best means of prevent- 
 ing insect intrusion. This crystal, extracted by distillation from coal 
 tar, has a strong aromatic smell, but the sprinking must be renewed 
 about three times in one year. A Ibo carbon is cheaper and also answers 
 the purpose. 
 
 The best way to keep large " toppings" is to. cap one exactly over 
 the other in bundles of four. Held at both ends by one person, they 
 should then be well whipped at the butt with unwaxed tying silk, by 
 another, and put on their sides some bundles on their right, and as many 
 on their left in a partition of the fly box just wide enough to hold 
 them without interrupting their natural bend. 
 
 The process of " marrying " strips of feathers for wings will be 
 explained in the next chapter. 
 
 All the commonly-used feathers of the Duck tribe are pre-eminently 
 " philogamists " (if I may coin a word) Canadian Duck, Teal, Pintail, 
 and more especially Widgeon. Turkey, Peacock wing, and Bustard are 
 not difficult to marry either. All the Pheasant tails are somewhat coy ; 
 whilst red Macaw is simply exasperating to a " match-making " fly- 
 dresser. A little patient practice will reveal the cases in which lasting 
 unions are easiest effected, and give point to our doctrines on the qualities 
 in feathers, some to be secured by careful choice, others to be dealt with 
 by skilful management. 
 
 Before grouping feathers and making further comments upon them, 
 it is as well to remind the reader that wing-feathers, such as dyed Swan, 
 are liable to curl up and get out of shape. Into this, an occasional 
 examination is prudent and advisable. Many of these feathers can be 
 smoothed into shape with clean, cool fingers, and repacked carefully as 
 before ; but other special directions will be given in Chapter VIII. 
 Jungle-fowl (Gallus sonnerati), as a wing decoration, is not included ; it 
 stands by itself ; there is nothing to group with it. Hackles are best 
 
DIFFERENT KINDS OF FEATHERS. 53 
 
 tied up in bundles. Full descriptions of feather boxes will also be found 
 in Chapter VIII. 
 
 The following are the kinds of feathers in general use. They are 
 grouped according to their affinities and to the relative place in the wing 
 they are best qualified to occupy, from the top downwards. 
 
 Group I. Mallard, Canadian (or Summer) Duck, Teal, Widgeon, 
 Pintail, Grey Mallard, Gallina. 
 
 From Canadian Duck onwards, not including Gallina, these are 
 given in the order of their value in markings. Teal is strongly 
 defined, and lends great character, whether as wing-element or as hackle. 
 Canadian Duck is more telling in its way ; it is especially showy as 
 " sides " or in tails. Pintail not quite such a favourite of mine as 
 Widgeon is an advance on Grey Mallard in distinctness of pencilling. 
 
 By " Mallard," we always understand the rich, brown-mottled 
 feathers, few in number, found on each side of the back of the wild 
 Mallard or the tame species, just in a line with the shoulder, but as far 
 back as the flank. In some districts the west of England particularly 
 the brown tinge extends deeper down the fibres, thus taking the place of 
 the objectionable ash-coloured blurr, which is a terrible eyesore in wings 
 for other rivers than the Spey. These feathers vary considerably in 
 pencilling and depth of tone. The decoy Mallard often gives us a useful 
 reddish, un-mottled, white-tipped feather one less valuable than that of 
 the two Mandarin Drake gems, which are taken from the back, whence 
 they protrude. The latter kind are highly prized on the Earn. (A few 
 years ago when shooting I got a singular specimen of the leading tail 
 feather of an ordinary cock Pheasant. It is of a clear cinnamon-brown 
 colour throughout, and without the sign of a mark in the fibres. For 
 single strip-winged flies none of its kith and kin equal it, either in colour or 
 character. There would be an insatiable demand for them if Nature 
 displayed her freaks in this direction more frequently. The cross 
 between the Gold, or the Painted, and the Common Pheasant often 
 results in a feather somewhat similar, but inferior in quality.) 
 
 Grey Mallard requires a little explanation. It is easily obtained, 
 owing to the great stock which most Ducks produce. But, although the 
 term " grey mallard " is commonly given in fly-description, the feather 
 
54 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 itself is hardly ever used in fly. making! It is too flimsy and too little 
 marked. Our best "grey mallard" I would rather not change the 
 term is taken from the Widgeon and Pintail. The feathers are found 
 on the flank of the bird, and can always be recognised by their irregular 
 darkish lines, running crossways, and increasing in depth of tone towards 
 the end of the feather, which is far less pointed than in any of their 
 kindred. In short, numerous Drakes supply us with " grey mallard," but 
 the term practically extends no further than to Pintail and Widgeon. 
 
 Teal is thus written in description. Its value is often under- 
 estimated. Any amount of it can be obtained at the Game shops in the 
 month of February. Canadian Duck is to be had only of tackle makers. 
 Some tiers call this Summer Duck, others Wood Duck. Owing to its 
 increasing scarceness, it is necessarily expensive to purchase. 
 
 My favourite feather of the Gallina (or guinea fowl) is the double- 
 speckled sort from the back. The "eyed" feathers from under the wings 
 are reserved for dyeing. But, to my mind, the best black and white 
 specified hackle is taken from a Rail (hypotoenidia torquata), which is a 
 native of the Philippine Islands ; and the best black and white barred 
 hackle from the Banded Cymnogene (polyboroides typicus), found in 
 Africa and Madagascar. 
 
 Group II. Turkey, Bustard, Fiorican, Peacock-wing, Golden and 
 Amherst Pheasant tails. 
 
 The domesticated Turkey affords greater variety in colour marking, 
 size, and texture than any other single class of birds, wild or tame. It 
 is most useful to the Fly-dresser. The feathers which are most difficult 
 to get are of a rich cinnamon tone, and should be taken from the tail. 
 Turkeys ought to attain their third year before the scissors are used. On 
 no account should these feathers be " pulled," as the crop coming after 
 not only falls short in richness of colour, but also in the element of 
 mobility, of which quality the Turkey has none too much. The "double- 
 white " a white feather having a black bar near the point is also rare. 
 I have only once seen a double-white having a good ginger bar ; but I 
 made good use of it while it lasted. 
 
 When " white-tips " are employed, as in " Jock Scott," the 
 points should be white, not creamy. The latter are used mostly in 
 
DIFFEEENT KINDS OF FEATHEES. 55 
 
 "modifications." But the Great American Cock a wild Turkey 
 (Meleagris gallopavo) is a great favourite. It has a superb cinnamon- 
 brown mottled tail, and its thighs are covered with magnificent scarlet 
 hackles having a black bar. 
 
 In Bustard, those of the Indian and African species are the best. 
 Bustard, both light and dark, is an effective decoration. The various 
 degrees of clearness of marking give considerable scope of choice for 
 effect. The hackles neither dye so well, nor wear so well, as those of the 
 Gallina. The best bird I ever saw was shot by Mr. Mobray M. Farquhar, 
 in Matabeleland, early in the season of '95. Being brittle, fibres of 
 Golden Pheasant tail should be mingled with those of all Bustards when 
 employed, for mixed wings. The male bird is the more valuable. He has 
 about twenty tail feathers ; he is larger than his mate, and differs from her 
 in one interesting feature, to which I may be permitted to allude. The 
 male Bustard has a kind of bag or pouch situated in the forepart of the 
 neck, and capable of containing two quarts. The entrance to it is 
 immediately under the tongue. They are generally supposed only to 
 run like an Ostrich aided by the wings, but when once in the 
 air they can fly several miles without resting. The South African 
 (Otis Ludwigi) is the largest and best of the dark species. The 
 European species (Otis tarda) is sometimes used, but the bird is less 
 valued. It is commonly known as the Great Bustard, and, instead of 
 mottled feathers, this sort has dark bars across the ferruginous groundwork. 
 
 The feathers from the little Bustard are sometimes used in small 
 patterns. 
 
 The Asiatic Florican provides us with much brighter feathers and 
 hackles darker in the bars, and lighter in the fermginous ground of the 
 feather. It is scarcely so brittle as Bustard, and, although a strip for 
 extended " cheeks " is often telling, we generally use it for small strip- 
 winged patterns, such as are fashionable on the Ness and Locky. 
 
 The Peacock, as they say, has " a plumage of an angel, the voice of 
 a devil, and the stomach of a thief " ; but for all that, he is a useful 
 friend to the dresser. The herls from the tail and sword feathers are 
 sometimes used for "butts" and "bodies," but more frequently for 
 " wings." No feathers deteriorate more rapidly, unless placed at once in 
 
56 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 an air-tight compartment. The hackles are occasionally wanted, as for 
 instance, on the Towy. The creamy, transversely-speckled feathers 
 found in the wings brighten up a fly, and heighten the effect of Mixed 
 wings. Some years ago I had a quantity of them sent me from India. 
 These contained brilliant shades of blue, yellow, red, and green ; but 
 alas ! they were soon swallowed up in fly-making, and I have never been 
 able to replenish my store. 
 
 The Golden Pheasant is subordinate to none. It has attained the 
 highest pitch of popularity among Fly-makers, mainly by virtue of its 
 crest. Not only has it enjoyed a rare continuance of public favour, in 
 this, as in other repects for " all the bird " is valued, but it will always 
 be in fashion, if only for the tippet feathers, which are wanted in number- 
 less Standard patterns. It is needless to remind the reader that the 
 leading feather in the tail is incomparably the best of the bunch. 
 
 The Amherst Pheasant is also invaluable. Some years since, Mr. 
 George Home, of Hereford (a well-known Salmon Angler) , seeing the 
 merits of the tail feathers, devoted his attention to breeding and crossing 
 these birds with others of their species. The tail of the three-quarter- 
 bred Amherst with the Golden Pheasant is particularly fine. By this 
 means, the black bars in the former feathers become numerous black 
 spots, which are most effective on the whitish ground. A dash of 
 Amherst blood improves the tail of the Gold, and richly enhances the 
 colour of the toppings. Mr. Home keeps a fine stock of all the best birds, 
 and sometimes disposes of their feathers. I have one, the fibres of which 
 measure nearly five inches in length ; but a little in a fly goes a very long 
 way. 
 
 Group III. Scarlet Ibis (though I much prefer the wing of the 
 Tourocou for tails) ; dyed Swan and dyed Turkey ; tail feathers of the 
 Macaw ; Golden Pheasant tippet ; Peacock herl and sword feather. 
 
 This group comprises chiefly colour and ornament. Ibis should be 
 used almost exclusively for tails and wings. As a hackle it is poor and 
 lifeless in the water, and has acquired a wholly justifiable measure of 
 dislike. Swan is exquisitely suitable for our work, and far better than 
 dyed Turkey. Tippets vary much in size, shape, and purity of colour. 
 On each side of the neck the feathers of a good bird assume a natural 
 
DIFFERENT KINDS OF FEATHERS. 57 
 
 curve ; these are paired off and reserved for use in winging such flies as 
 the " Eanger " tribe. It will not bear much manipulation in the strip," 
 and obstinately refuses all overtures for " marriage." As a hackle for 
 winged flies, the tippet is not popular ; but for grubs the " Tippet 
 Grub," for instance (the feathers are used as hackles) it is grand ; and, 
 in point of contrast, when so used, few feathers equal it. Herls and 
 sicord-feathers have already been mentioned. For making a whole wing 
 of the former, strands should be selected from each side of the feather, 
 and packed together on their backs, in separate bundles for each wing, the 
 top part of the wing taking the longest fibres. The sword feather is also 
 used in wings, as in " Jock Scott." 
 
 If the beautiful and useful be incompatible, the beautiful must give 
 way ; even the old " Cock o' the Hock," the celebrity I have known as 
 being endowed with some malady, is altogether neglected on account of 
 constitutional debility. It is here, as Shakespeare would have it, that 
 expectation failed most. The colour which led us to expect great results 
 was more than counterbalanced by the weakness and limpness of the 
 fibres. There is, however one species Eupicola sanguinolenta from 
 Andes of Ecuador, that is exceedingly useful. The bird is similar in 
 shape, but in colour, character of fibre, and style of feather, it differs 
 materially. The feathers are not orange, but almost scarlet ; they are 
 not soft, but sufficiently firm, and make good hackles, which almost shine 
 either in the water or out. The Kingfisher changes colour, and has 
 yielded to the Blue Chatterer from Vera Paz. This latter is now well 
 known; but the Banded Chatterer is uncommon. The former (Cotinza 
 amabilis) is light blue ; the Banded (Gotingacincta) from Cayenne is 
 dark. 
 
 The common accompaniment, by the bye, of all good feathers in all 
 good boxes is consumption. Believe me, I speak it deliberately and 
 with full conviction, the only method of preserving our bulk of material 
 is to keep adding to it. Amongst that portion of our present stock, for 
 which I am held responsible, we have the Banded Chatterer, the Great 
 American Cock (wild turkey), the Nankeen Night Heron, the South 
 American Bittern, and the Cock o' the Eock from Ecuador. But the 
 greatest find that has fallen to my lot is the Golden Bird of Paradise. 
 
58 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 May this luck be your luck, brother Fishermen, as it has been mine ! It 
 will only cost you 10 ! 
 
 For enumerating these feathers for wings, I have mentioned those in 
 general use ; but so far from seeking to limit the area of choice, I would 
 rather urge and stimulate the student to seize on, and trim up and try 
 those unproclaimed materials that may fall to his hand, and by their 
 appearance, promise to be of service to him. In this respect, the amateur 
 fly-tier is apt to ignore the fact that he does not do as much as he ought 
 to do for the advancement of experimental research. He surely has the 
 power and means to push further and further onward into that ocean of 
 knowledge, of which we have, as yet, but gathered a few shells upon the 
 margin. The principles to guide him in exploration and selection are 
 readily furnished by a thorough acquaintance with those materials which 
 have already won their way into public appreciation and minister to that 
 pride in honest fly-work, which, at the present period, is certainly one 
 characteristic of the British Craftsman. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 59 
 
 CHAPTEE III. 
 
 SALMON FLIES : How TO " DRESS " THEM. 
 
 " Bad workmen find fault with their tools, but no workman can finish for use a good fly 
 with bad materials." 
 
 ANON. 
 
 WORKING APPLIANCES AND PRELIMINARY REQUIREMENTS. 
 
 THE working appliances which I consider necessary are the following : 
 
 1. A SHARP PAIR OP SCISSORS WITH FINE UPWARD-CURVED POINTS, 
 
 which may be obtained at Fisher's in the Strand. These are specially 
 adapted by their shape to reach and cut close off at the hook certain 
 waste ends of silk and feather, as also to cut fibre stumps at an angle so 
 as to get a taper, as in forming the head of a fly ; both operations are 
 only awkwardly and inefficiently managed with straight-pointed scissors. 
 I use the smallest kind which have plenty of finger room in their rings. 
 
 2. SPRING PLIERS ("tweezers"), preferably of brass, and procurable, 
 for a trifle, at any tackle-shop. These should be pliant. Care should be 
 taken that, whilst the inward edges of the points are not sharp enough to 
 sever a herl or the shaft of a delicate hackle, the points themselves meet 
 accurately, not only at the extremities, but also along the whole length 
 of the jaws. In other words, the jaws must neither overlap, nor bite at 
 the extremities only. Those pliers are to be preferred, which, at the 
 handle end, are formed into a ring for the finger. 
 
60 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 3. THE STILETTO, which has uses unsuggested by its simplicity, 
 should be of the best-tempered steel, and without any sort of handle 
 fitted to it. Besides being a treasure alike to the fly-dresser and the 
 Fisherman, it can be used to pick up small feathers, etc., by placing its 
 point under the object, on which the tip of the fore-finger is then pressed 
 in conjunction. Some persons, however, use for this and similar pur- 
 poses a pair of spring forceps, such as are commonly supplied with 
 microscopes. A stiletto of admirable quality and shape may be bought 
 for fourpence at Messrs. Wilcox & Gibbs, Sewing Machinists. The one 
 I use in fishing is punctured at the end to hold a thin piece of elastic, and 
 fits in an outside socket-pocket in my jacket. 
 
 4. A BOX OF STEVENS' SILICON and a SMALL BOTTLE OF VABNISH, 
 together with COBBLEES' WAX will complete the list. 
 
 I never use varnish made of shellac and spirits of wine (which, 
 however, can be improved by the addition of a small piece of " Venice 
 turpentine," about half the size of a nut to a 2-oz. phial), seeing that Turn- 
 bull, of Edinburgh, has introduced a far better sort that dries as quickly, 
 does not change its black tone in the water, and lasts considerably 
 longer. For flies, not intended for immediate use, copal varnish should 
 be used with the shellac. The two will not mix in any ordinary way. 
 Dip the stiletto point into copal, and put the small drop adhering to it on 
 the back of a saucer ; then take a similar dip into the other, and mix the 
 two drops quickly with the instrument, and apply to the fly-head 
 immediately. A head thus treated never requires varnish again ; but it 
 takes about a week to get dry enough for use. 
 
 5. COBBLERS' WAX must be fresh made. I form mine into small 
 pills, and keep them in a stoppered bottle filled with water. 
 
 It should be specially noted by those who dress flies at night that 
 the misleading influence of the yellow rays from an ordinary artificial 
 flame may be counteracted, and, what is much more important, a full 
 light concentrated upon the work, by the use of what is known as the 
 "Engraver's Glass." Since writing this sentence, my friend, " Detached 
 Badger," has contributed an article to the Field on dressing flies by 
 artificial light. So full and explicit are the instructions given that I 
 make the following quotations from them, with that gratitude which is 
 
FLY-MAKING BY ARTIFICIAL LIGHT. 61 
 
 due to an author to whom Anglers are indebted for much useful and 
 trustworthy information. 
 
 " In the earliest attempts I used a gas lamp, but this was soon discarded in 
 favour of a paraffin lamp, and this in turn gave way to a colza lamp, as giving a 
 much softer light and far less heat. With either of these illuminants I used an 
 ordinary engraver's bottle or globe, to direct the light on to the fly in the jaws of 
 the vice. The engraver's globe was filled with a solution of sulphate of copper, 
 with a small quantity of liquid ammonia, and the blue fluid, acting as an absorbent 
 of some of the coloured rays, tempered the light so as to render it less trying than 
 when taken through a colourless medium. Since then, as the outcome of numerous 
 microscopial experiments directed to producing at moderate cost and without 
 complicated apparatus, a light which is practically monochromatic, it was dis- 
 covered that this result could be obtained by filtering the light of an ordinary 
 lamp through a solution consisting of 160 grammes pure dry nitrate of copper, 14 
 grammes of chromic acid, and water added to make up to 250 c.c. This liquid is 
 held in a flat bottle, of which the parallel sides are half-inch apart. This solution, 
 reduced by the addition of water in proportion to the increased thickness of the 
 medium in the engraver's globe, will be found preferable to the old solution of 
 sulphate of copper and liquid ammonia. With this form of apparatus the illumi- 
 nation with diffused light directed on to the object was fairly well attained, and 
 there was nothing in the way of the fingers. The system, however, had the grave 
 fault of subjecting the eyes to too much glare. After trying various forms of 
 shades worn over the eyes, all of which were more or less uncomfortable 
 and inconvenient, I eventually made a large opaque brown pasteboard screen, 
 with a round hole through it to admit only sufficient light to illuminate the 
 object. This arrangement was moderately successful, but it had the great dis- 
 advantage of leaving the greater part of the working table in darkness, so that it 
 was not easy to find the wax, feathers, scissors, pliers, itc., when required for use, 
 and after a time the idea of dressing flies at night was temporarily abandoned. 
 
 " Later, however, when removing to another house, I fitted up a room in 
 accordance with my own design, providing amongst other things, a convenient 
 working-table, fixed in a bay window, facing nearly due west, so that, as far as 
 daylight was concerned, there was practically all that could be desired. Having 
 adopted electric lighting throughout the house, I had the wires carried to an 
 ordinary concentric wall plug just above the level of the table, and resolved at 
 leisure to try and work out the problem under these conditions. 
 
 "After exhaustive consultations on the subject, a good friend, an engineer by 
 profession, with a first-rate knowledge of optics, designed a lamp, which having 
 successfully stood the test of nearly a year's use, may, I think, be deemed fairly 
 perfect for the purpose. It is entirely of bronze and consists of a heavy foot, on 
 which is raised a hexagonal pillar, 18 inches in height. The fitting to hold the 
 
62 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 lamp and reflector slides up and down on the pillar, and is secured at the desired 
 height by a thumbscrew. The carrier of the lamp and reflector is attached to this 
 fitting by a knuckle joint, so that it can be inclined to the angle required for 
 directing the light on the object. Another thumbscrew tightens and fixes this 
 joint when the angle is once adjusted. The wire from the fitting of the wall plug 
 is carried to the lamp in the ordinary way, and is of sufficient length to enable the 
 stand to be moved on the table as required. The source of light is an ordinary 
 eight-candle incandescent ground glass lamp, and for convenience of lighting or 
 extinguishing without connecting to or disconnecting from the wall plug, has an 
 independent switch fixed to the carrier. The reflector, also of bronze, with the 
 interior or reflecting surface heavily plated and polished, has a true parabolic 
 figure. The eight-candle lamp is placed in the carrier, so that as near as possible 
 the source of light is at the focal point of the paraboloid. . Scientifically, a light 
 thus placed is reflected in parallel rays of equal intensity in the direction of the 
 axis of the paraboloid, but this would only be possible if the source of light was a 
 geometrical point, and any increase of the area of the light produces bundles of 
 rays originating at various angles, and hence diverging and converging. This is 
 mentioned to prevent confusion, as it is impossible for an apparatus of this 
 description to be made so that all the rays are parallel, and the disc of light of 
 equal intensity throughout. 
 
 " This arrangement carries out all the requirements laid down in the earlier 
 portions of this article. The light is sufficient to illuminate, and yet modified by 
 the ground glass of the bulb so as to be pleasant. By raising or lowering and 
 inclining to the requisite angle, the light can be directed on to the object with the 
 reflector at such a distance from the vice as to be quite out of the way. If all is 
 properly adjusted, the light itself is invisible to the worker, and none of the rays 
 are reflected into his eyes. The area of the table illuminated is also sufficient to 
 enable him to find any materials or implements he may require for his work. The 
 heat given off by electric light is much less than by any other illuminant known, 
 and is certainly not enough to cause any serious inconvenience to the operator. 
 Some readers may pertinently inquire what substitute can be suggested where 
 the modern improvement of electric light is not available. The answer is that a 
 paraffin or colza lamp, or an ordinary candle, can be fitted in a very similar 
 manner, but the distance of the lamp from the vice must be accurately determined, 
 and the angle at which the axis of the paraboloid should be inclined from the 
 perpendicular calculated, and the reflector fixed accordingly. It would not do to 
 fit the reflector on a knuckle joint, as when the inclination was varied the lamp or 
 candle would not be perpendicular, and hence would not burn satisfactorily. If 
 the light from the lamp or candle should be too intense, it could be modified by 
 the interposition of ground or coloured glass, or a bottle containing the mono- 
 chromatic fluid described above between the reflector and the object." 
 
FLY-MAKING EXPEDIENTS. 63 
 
 To resume our subject, the first essential preliminaries to the 
 operations of fly-dressing are (1) Hands as clean and free from natural 
 grease as possible, for the sake of the more delicate materials, and of the 
 wax on the tying-silk, which any grease is apt to spoil or remove. (2) 
 The thumb-nails and finger-nails fairly long and even, a hint the learner 
 will soon appreciate. (3) The requirement by practice of the proper 
 manner of holding the hook, and an expert familiarity with the four 
 frequently-used operations that form the A B C of all manipulations in 
 fly-dressing, namely 
 
 "THE STOP." 
 
 "THE CATCH." 
 
 " MAKING OFF." 
 
 " SETTING IN." 
 
 In entering upon an explanation of these, it cannot be too strongly 
 impressed upon the learner, that a correct manipulation is of the first 
 importance ; and that he should practise so thoroughly and precisely the 
 minute directions here given as to the exact position of the fingers, etc.,' 
 and the several ways of grasping and holding, that the modes may 
 become habitual to him. That training over, he will find awkwardness 
 and failure in dressing Salmon-flies to be virtually for him among the 
 things of the past. 
 
 In taking the small amount of pains needed for the mastery of this 
 system, it is encouraging to remind ourselves that we start not from 
 the point where our fathers started, but where they left off. We may 
 pluck the fruit of an accumulated experience, learning to adapt the best 
 method known, in each particular detail. These details are, it is true, 
 insisted upon with somewhat tedious particularity ; but then let it not be 
 forgotten that each detail is a dearly bought link in the chain of in- 
 struction. All these little improvements have probably cost, in the 
 aggregate, months of thought, endless bird skins, and furs enough to 
 stuff and cover Chancellors' Woolsacks for a century, to say nothing of 
 friendly discussions and of controversies heated up to the full blaze of 
 the odium piscatorium. 
 
 To the non -military eye the soldiers' little red drill-book does 
 not disclose the generations of thought expended on its mechanical 
 
64 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 instructions, all so accurately calculated to answer the rigid (one might say 
 mathematically rigid) demand of orderly movement. Nor in our present 
 instruction on fly-dressing is the amount of previously expended ingenuity 
 any more manifest at first sight. Experience, however, will show that 
 here, too, in each mechanical direction a distinct purpose is kept in view ; 
 and the learner may set to work with the assurance that the chief ex- 
 cellences in a Salmon fly strength, neatness, proportion, and working 
 symmetry can be combined only by a correct manipulation, an exact 
 adjustment of parts, and a carefully calculated-distribution of material. 
 
 To WAX TYING-SILK. Cut from an old glove an oval piece of kid, 
 say two inches in diameter. Hold a pointed piece of cobblers' wax for a 
 moment near the fire, and, when soft, "dab" it (not daub it) on the inner 
 side of the kid, not quite in the middle. Now double the kid over 
 quickly, and, with warm fingers, press the equal halves together. 
 Partially open them again, and, if not laid on too quickly, the wax will 
 be seen to cover a considerable part of the kid with a thin layer. The 
 kid is to protect the fingers from mess, and the tying-silk from getting 
 too much wax. In the operation itself only the edge of the layer of wax 
 is exposed for use the less, in reason, the better. To avoid breaking the 
 silk, observe that " union is strength," so do not try to wax only one 
 length at a time. 
 
 Take in your left hand the reel of " Pearsall's Gossamer Silk," which 
 is much the best for your purpose. Break off any loose end, as the 
 portion will have become weakened by the twist having in part gone out 
 of it. Place the reel, that it may revolve, between the left forefinger and 
 thumb, and hold it loosely. With the right hand take hold of the end 
 close up to the reel, keep the right hand stationary, and draw from the 
 reel, by moving away the left hand, about twenty-eight inches of the 
 silk. Pass the withdrawn portion once round a small hook (or your 
 stiletto stuck upright in your fly-table, if you please) , and back over your 
 left little finger, which now holds taut from the hook or stiletto, a pair of 
 reins, as it were, each fourteen inches in length. You now want just as 
 much more silk withdrawn ; so with the right hand pulling and receding 
 from the hook, the left hand barely sustaining between its fingers the reel, 
 and advancing the while towards the hook, continue gently to withdraw 
 
HOLDING THE HOOK. 65 
 
 the amount required by pulling the hands thus, alternately working 
 them backwards and forwards. (The hook or stiletto must be smooth for 
 the silk to have free play, as the looped end has round the little finger. 
 No mischief follows this sawing motion of the hands when the silk is 
 allowed to work loosely behind the hook.) Place, as before, the second 
 portion round the hook, thus giving another pair of reins into the grasp 
 of the left hand. Break off the silk close to the reel, but do not relax 
 your left grip, or the ends will untwist. As the lengths lie close, side by 
 side, first wax the part nearest to your fingers to prevent any further 
 danger from untwisting, then wax the rest from the other end, and snip 
 the lengths across at each end with the scissors. 
 
 Simple as the operation of waxing is, the pressure put on the pad, 
 together with a light, quick, lifting motion to prevent adhesion fore and 
 aft, cannot be assured until the novice has had a little practice. This is 
 worth learning, if only to secure the strength of the silk. Besides, you 
 will have four lengths ready for use. 
 
 How TO HOLD THE HOOK PROPERLY. Take in the left thumb and 
 forefinger a hook, No. 1J " Eedditch " scale, which, as a convenient size, 
 we may adopt for a standard throughout the course of instruction. The 
 illustration of "THE STOP" will convey a fair idea of the general position 
 of the fore-finger and thumb in grasping the hook. (The middle finger 
 need only be advanced in making THE STOP ; in merely grasping the 
 hook, it will fall back naturally in reserve.) Attention, however, is called 
 to the particular parts of the fore-finger and thumb, in immediate con- 
 tact with which the hook is held fixed viz., the top of the ball of the 
 thumb against the edge of the ball of the forefinger. 
 
 This position secures a firm grip of the hook, and, at the same time, 
 gives ready access to that intervention of the middle finger-tip (or, rather, 
 the edge of that tip), which is called " putting on THE STOP." 
 
 HOW TO SET IN " A LENGTH OF TYING-SILK. 
 
 Maintaining with the left hand the grasp of the hook, as shown in the 
 picture of " THE STOP," lay one end of the silk between the ball of the 
 fore-finger and thumb of the same hand. With the right forefinger and 
 thumb take the tying-silk four inches from the shank, and proceed to make 
 
 F 
 
66 
 
 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 two or three open coils round the shank headwards. Now bind the 
 open coils tailwards with two turns ; when the first-named end of the 
 silk will have been fixed, and may be set free to be cut cff. 
 
 If the setting-in has to be done at the " head " end of the hook, it 
 will be seen that a slight difference must be made in the method for 
 convenience sake ; the end of the silk, in that case, must be held between 
 the left third and little fingers, which" are to be extended towards the 
 head end of the hook for the purpose. 
 
 Proficiency in this being attained, we may pass on to " THE STOP." 
 Set in a length of tying-silk, waxed, and take a few turns round the 
 shank headwards. Still keeping the original grasp of the hook, and 
 holding the tying-silk gently taut with right fore-finger and thumb, place 
 the right, or near, edge of the ball of the left middle finger firmly against 
 
 THK STOP. 
 
 the hook and silk at the place whence the latter, as held taut, issues forth 
 from behind the shank. Let the silk go free from the right grasp, and 
 you have " THE STOP." This is a most useful expedient to prevent, 
 temporarily, turns of silk, coils of tinsel, etc., from unwinding or loosening 
 from the hook-shank, or even to set the right hand at liberty. 
 
THE CATCH. 67 
 
 " THE CATCH " is another plan adopted at any time during the 
 operation of fly-dressing, to set the right hand free for any purpose. It 
 is made thus : Supposing we have just put on " THE STOP " ; resume the 
 tying-silk in right fore-finger and thumb, keep it taut, and remove THE 
 
 THE CATCH. 
 
 STOP finger of the left hand. Now pass the silk in between the ball of 
 the left third and finger nail of the little finger and grip it with them, 
 keeping taut all the time, so as not to allow the last-made coils to slacken, 
 and you have " THE CATCH." 
 
 MAKING OFF the tying-silk (as shown in Operation II.) is a plan by 
 which knots are dispensed with, and so any clumsiness is avoided. It 
 is accomplished at any stage in the work by simply running a few 
 temporary, hasty turns headward round the shank (more thickly together 
 at the head), and then fixing the tying-silk (held taut) in the cleft 
 between the end of the shank and the gut-loop. 
 
 To TIE ON THE GUT-LOOP. After the " SETTING IN," the close turns 
 of silk are begun at a sufficient distance from the extremity of the shank 
 to leave room for the foundation of the wings. That is how this convenient 
 little cleft comes into existence. 
 
 F2 
 
68 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 These four operations are the foundation of facility and certainty in 
 manipulation, and a constant and patient practice of them wall soon bring 
 
 its own reward. 
 
 * * * * 
 
 With a piece of white card-board, say twelve inches by six inches, 
 lying immediately in front of you on the table, to serve as a back-ground 
 in aid of the eyesight, proceed to practise the following chief operations of 
 fly-dressing ; noting, in passing, that the back of your card-board may be 
 utilised as a medium on which to record for ready reference, scales of 
 hooks, lengths of gut for loops, and other measures of proportion. (These 
 remarks, I need hardly say, are intended solely for beginners.) 
 
 INSTRUCTION FLY No. 1. 
 
 For instruction in general, and also specially to illustrate the making 
 of a silk and fur body, and a " Built" wing. 
 
 OPERATION I. 
 
 TYING ON THE GUT-LOOP. The length of the proposed body being 
 li inch, a suitable length of twisted gut, extra stout, for the loop will be 
 1-J inches. Soak this length thoroughly in soft water (or for making a 
 single fly, you ma}' put the gut in your mouth for eight or ten minutes), 
 and bend it so that one side shall be a little longer than the other. The 
 single ends, also of the twisted gut, should vary in length, and their points 
 pared. Cut the inside strands when binding down, in order that the 
 foundation for the body may taper evenly and truly towards the tail. 
 
 Take waxed silk (doubled to about 16 inches), and make four or five 
 open turns headwards, tight enough to cause the waxed silk to adhere to 
 the hook-shank. Begin three parts of the way down the shank, and 
 leave off at just ^ inch from its extremity. In doing this it is best to hold 
 the hook barb upwards. 
 
 These foundation-turns not only afford a hold to the gut, but also- 
 help to keep it from drawing when the fly is in use. After putting the 
 tying-silk into "catch," take the gut-loop by its loop, and, holding it 
 horizontally, flatten with the front teeth a considerable portion of the 
 gut-ends. Apply these ends in their full length to the underside (now 
 uppermost) of the shank, with a due allowance for the eye of the loop 
 
INSTRUCTION FLY NO. 1. 
 
 69 
 
 projecting clear of the shank end (the amount may be judged from the 
 illustrations, but the smaller it is, in reason, the better), and holding hook 
 and gut firmly (gripping the sides, not top and bottom), whip the gut on 
 with regular, close turns of the silk tailwards, holding and working the 
 silk at the distance just now mentioned. In " whipping," employ all the 
 power you can without breaking the silk, and make use of the " CATCH " 
 two or three times, in order, as the work proceeds, to be able with the 
 right nails to press both sides of the gut into straightness with the hook 
 shank. Be careful in starting the turns to leave a full ~ inch of the shank 
 end for the purpose explained. When the gut is covered with these 
 turns, tie off with one half hitch, and cut off the silk. The point upon the 
 shank to which the silk binding should come will be seen from the 
 Analytical Diagram in Chapter II. The arrangement of the ends of the 
 gut "twist" should always be made so as to secure this relative propor- 
 tion in all sizes of hooks. In the size of hook we have selected for 
 instruction, this point on the shank is about I inch short of a straight 
 line drawn through the hook-point, and cutting the shank at right angles. 
 Without delay, whilst the gut is still soft, nip the loop. Holding the 
 hook now barb downwards, push the stiletto through the loop from under- 
 neath, far enough to form an eye of the required size ; then with the nails of 
 
 NIPPING THE LOOP. 
 
 the left hand "STOP" finger and thumb, nip the loop together at the neck. 
 If the gut does not readily yield to the correct shape, the pressure should be 
 maintained whilst the loop is moved to and fro by the stiletto within it. 
 
70 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 The object here is that the loop sides shall lie parallel to each other 
 in their entire lengths quite up to the point where, in the completed fly, 
 they leave the shank, and expand immediately into the eye of the loop. 
 
 Of course, the -J- inch next the eye is not fixed in place until the turns 
 of tying-silk for the foundation of the wings cover and bind it a later 
 process. When the fly is in use, the " nipping " has the effect of helping 
 to maintain the correct direction of strain upon the gut at the head, and 
 so of preventing that general loosening and consequent loss of feather, 
 caused by the part usually forked, working itself straight. This defect 
 is present at the heads of un-nipped flies, and so the part of the gut-loop 
 under the wings is left V shaped. 
 
 OPERATION II. 
 
 TYING ON THE TAG, TAIL, AND BUTT. It may be well to recall to 
 mind here that the fly we now propose to tie is one intended solely as a 
 convenient starting point for instruction, and the several operations 
 involved in it will be described consecutively, up to its final completion. 
 Afterwards, the modifications requisite for tying various types of flies will 
 be sufficiently explained in their order. 
 
 Section I. Select the following materials : two inches of silver 
 twist, three inches of floss silk, a Golden Pheasant topping an inch in 
 length, and an Ostrich herl. 
 
 Section II. Prepare the silver twist by stripping off from one end 
 enough ol the silver wire to leave bare about * of an inch of the silk core. 
 This is done by pressing the silver twist at the proper point with the 
 sharp edge of the left thumb nail down on the ball of the left fore-finger, 
 and simultaneously uncoiling the wire with a tug of the right hand and 
 snapping it off quickly. Cut off half the thickness of the core with the 
 scissors, and then strip the other end of the silver twist, and manage it in 
 the same way. The coils of the twist are now driven closer together, and 
 brightened up by the aid of a small piece of chamois leather, on which a. 
 little Steven's silicon has been rubbed. 
 
 Either end of the core is held between the left fore-finger and thumb, 
 whilst the chamois leather is gently drawn in a direction away from the 
 point held and down over the silver twist, but not so far as to loosen the 
 
INSTRUCTION FLY NO. 1. 71 
 
 coils at the other end. These in their turn are tightened and brightened 
 up by a like operation from their own end of the core. 
 
 Now take the hook, point downwards, and " set in " tying-silk at the 
 place on the shank shown by the diagram, and cut off the waste end. 
 
 Apply the twist with the right fingers to the hook-shank by laying 
 the trimmed core end along its upper side, and then hold it there in the 
 left hand ; the last coil of the silver coating (i.e., the point where this core 
 end issues from its silver casing) being located just a little to the left of 
 the last turn of the newly "set in" tying-silk, so that after binding it 
 
 down the first coil of the twist, when wound on, rests exactly above the 
 middle of the barb (see diagram). The first coil of the twist lies on the 
 bare hook, and the next on the last of the few turns of the tying-silk 
 which, having bound the core to the shank, form the foundation for the 
 tag, as shown. 
 
 The last turn of silk, made close to the silver, will have pressed or 
 carried the twist over to the far side, out of sight, as it were, thus helping 
 us "to keep the best side to town." 
 
 Pass the tying-silk round the former work in wide open turns head- 
 wards, and " make off." Cut off the waste core at right. 
 
 The silver twist-is now wound on from you, the first coil being laid 
 on the naked hook. (No material should be tied down upon the bare 
 shank, or rest upon it, except in this one instance.) It is desirable, how- 
 
72 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 ever, before beginning this, to tug the twist gently upwards and against 
 the last made turn of the tying-silk, in order to dispose the first coil of 
 twist to start in a direct line. Proceed to place it upon the silk 
 foundation in four close, neat coils headwards. (I use the "STOP" on the 
 coils to prevent them unwinding, but recommend the beginner to use the 
 tweezers throughout the process.) Eelease the tying-silk, bring it to the 
 twist close to the last coil, give one turn over the twist, and put it in 
 " CATCH " ; pull twist so as to tighten the coils ; and, after releasing from the 
 "CATCH," give another turn, or perhaps two, over the twist and "make 
 off," but do not allow the silk on its way to bind the waste of twist. 
 
 Compress the coils of silver twist together, evenly all round, with the 
 nails of the thumb and middle finger of each hand, working each pair of 
 nails against the other pair. Cut the twist, leaving about a quarter of an 
 inch, from which the silver wire is now removed, and bind it down with 
 say ten close turns of tying silk. 
 
 Section III. Prepare the floss next, thus : (Here I would remark 
 that, in smoothing floss silk by stroking it between the right fore-finger 
 and thumb, care should have been previously taken to make sure of the 
 way to smooth it, whether to hold it at this end or that. That way is the 
 right way, which, on trial cut a small piece off to try puts up in the 
 stroking fewer loose ends of fibre than the other.) Take, then, to begin 
 with, one end of it in the left fore-finger and thumb, stroke it with the 
 right forefinger and thumb " the right way," and put it down as ready for 
 use. 
 
 (The student will now understand that, in constructing both tags and 
 bodies with floss silk, the " stroking " business is carried on during each 
 and every turn made with it, so that, in putting it down as ready for use, 
 he must remember which end is for tying on. I find it handy to take it 
 from the left hand, with the right catching hold at the end which is held 
 by the left, and with a sweeping motion towards the right, I drop the 
 floss on to the piece of card-board. In taking it up to tie on the shank, I 
 catch hold of it at the same place as before, and, with a yet quicker 
 sweep to the left, bring it steadily back again, and let it drop into its 
 place, the hook being held in readiness, of course, by the other hand.) 
 
 Lay the length of floss upon the left hand, which is now holding the 
 
MAKING HALF A BODY OF SILK. 73 
 
 hook, and draw it gently along to its position for tying on i.e., ~ of an 
 inch from the compressed coils of silver twist. Open the left fore-finger 
 and thumb just enough to grip the part of the floss nearest them. 
 Release the tying-silk, and bind the floss with three even, close turns 
 headwards to form some more of the foundation for the silk part of the 
 tag. Put tying-silk in "CATCH," and cut off wastes of floss and twist core. 
 Make off. 
 
 Put the floss in " CATCH " between the left middle and third fingers, 
 which are to be extended as far as possible, to secure a good length of 
 floss between them and the hook. Untwist the length, catching hold of 
 the extreme end while you momentarily release " CATCH," and with the 
 fore-finger over it and thumb under it, stroke the length from the point of 
 tie between the finger and thumb, passing each stroke through the 
 " CATCH " to the very end of the floss until it is rendered straight and 
 glossy. (By passing through the "CATCH " is meant opening the "CATCH" 
 fingers and allowing the stroking fingers to pass through, and closing 
 them again whilst the right hand fingers have hold of the end of the 
 floss.) 
 
 On the last stroke given, whilst the fingers hold the end, pass the 
 floss under the hook-shank, and put it in " CATCH " there. Now with the 
 fore-finger, placed this time under the floss and the thumb over it, stroke 
 and smooth once and wind the floss tailwards, reaching the twist in two 
 turns. In completing the tag headwards over the former work use 
 " CATCH " fingers at each turn in the manner just described. The reader 
 should bear in mind that this is the way silk-bodied flies are con- 
 structed, so far as the actual winding of the floss is concerned ; and that, 
 virtually speaking, the taper of the whole body work begins from the 
 twist in the tag. 
 
 Four, or perhaps five, coils of floss are enough, and, rightly laid on 
 in increasing closeness, should form an even taper. Put "STOP" on floss, 
 and fix with the tying-silk much in the same way as with the silver twist, 
 save that after setting free the tying-silk, which has been made off, the 
 floss end should be passed into " CATCH," the "CATCH " fingers being brought 
 well under the shank, and the floss held taut by them. It is best that the 
 first turn of tying-silk be firmly made, not at the very edge of the last 
 
74 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 floss coil, but a little in upon it. Continue binding with two more turns 
 tail-wards, and so form a level foundation for the tail. Make off, and cut 
 off waste floss. 
 
 Section IV. Prepare the topping by stripping off the dull, short, 
 downy filaments at its root. Fix it in place by the following method, 
 which will obviate all difficulty. (Of course, a topping which has been 
 carefully kept and has retained its proper shape is more manageable than 
 one which has been allowed to get warped or twisted.) Holding the hook 
 as before i.e., by the bend take the topping, curve upwards, by its bare 
 quill between the right fore-finger and thumb, so that with them it may 
 be laid in its place upon the top of the shank, and then held in the same 
 left grasp. The feather will be in its place when the lowest point from 
 which its fibres spring is laid coincident with the upper (or headward) end 
 of the completed tag, so that when the topping has been bound on no 
 fibres will be bound down, and no quill left uncovered tailwards. Now, 
 the right hand grasping the root firmly together with the hook-shank, 
 pass the left fore-finger and thumb with a coaxing, smoothing action 
 down over the topping tailwards, gently pressing it down upon and con- 
 forming it to the bend of the hook; and, finally, hold it fixed in that 
 down-curved position. Let go the right fingers from the quill, which 
 will then spring up a little, but which, as the main part of the topping 
 is held firm in the grasp, will not refuse to be easily and correctly 
 bound down upon the foundation prepared for it. Bind it down. To 
 do so, begin with a long diagonal turn of the tying-silk tailwards,' 
 then give an encircling turn close to the tag headwards, and also 
 another. Put the silk in "CATCH" and let the topping go free to see 
 whether it sits correctly. This scrutiny is only for the tyro practice 
 will soon bring instinctive certainty. Bind on two more turns headward. 
 Make off. 
 
 Section V. Proceed now to form the butt. Take the Ostrich herl, 
 root to the left, flock downwards, and lay its point diagonally on the near 
 side of the shank at the place where the tail is tied on ; release tying-silk 
 and unwind carefully two turns of the former work. 
 
 These turns were made to strengthen the work temporarily in its 
 progress ; and we remove them to lessen the bulk and obtain neatness 
 
FORMING THE BUTT. 7!> 
 
 a practice that should be observed wherever possible, consistently with 
 proper strength. 
 
 Take, as was done in tying on the tail, a diagonal turn of the silk 
 tailwards, and bind' the herl on with five close turns head wards. Make 
 off. 
 
 The stage now arrived at is illustrated in the diagram. The bare 
 interval of hook shown between the binding of the gut-loop and that of 
 the herl is purposely left in order to give room for exactness in adjustment 
 of the various constituents at this point, and is filled up partly by tying 
 in such position of the waste ends of tail and butt as may be required, 
 and partly with the ends of the floss, tinsel, or other materials set in 
 subsequently to form the body. 
 
 Wind on the herl, giving the first coil such a bias that its flock is 
 turned tailward. The herl being easily damaged, it is best not to use 
 the tweezers to begin with. Rather use the " STOP " at the first turn in 
 the way specified in winding on the floss. Now adjust tweezers for 
 making the final coils. The tweezers are kept from twirling round at the 
 far side by steadying them with the " CATCH " fingers. 
 
 When the tying-silk is released up to last coil of the herl, bind the 
 herl down with three turns headwards, and make off. 
 
 The waste ends have a further use, and are not to be cut off yet. 
 
76 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 OPERATION III. 
 
 FORMING THE BODY. Section I. For a silk and fur body in equal 
 proportions (see diagram p. 82), head half hackled, select these 
 materials : 
 
 Three inches narrow tinsel, oval ; three inches broader tinsel, flat ; 
 seven inches floss ; some black Seal's fur ; a natural black hackle and a 
 Gailina hackle. 
 
 Section II. Prepare the oval tinsel in the same way as the twist for 
 the tag, using the silicon, which preserves lustre besides producing it. 
 Lay the tinsel in between the left fore-finger and thumb (which are now 
 holding the hook) , so that while the core-end lies along the far side of the 
 shank, the termination of the silver coincides with the finishing roll of the 
 herl of the butt. Release the tying-silk, unwind it so carefully as to 
 leave only one turn fixing the herl, and bind this core-end with two or 
 three turns headwards ; then put the silk in " CATCH." A mere suspicion 
 of the core should now be visible between the first turn of tying-silk and 
 the silver as a sort of flexible hinge in starting to lay down the ribs. 
 
 Now, with the stiletto-point evenly distribute round about the shank 
 the waste ends of the tail, butt, and core of tinsel ; cut them to such a 
 length, and so bind them that they may exactly fill up the before- 
 mentioned interval of bare hook left for adjustment. Make off. 
 
 Section III. Prepare the floss as for the tag. Release tying-silk, 
 unwind two turns of it, and put it in " CATCH." Lay the proper end of 
 the floss in the place of the unwound turns. Release tying-silk and, in 
 making the two turns again, bind over floss. Make off. Now, with the 
 right fore-finger and thumb take hold of the floss beyond the shank, and 
 smoothing all twist out of it as before, pass it into left "CATCH." Put the 
 right fingers under the shank, take hold of the floss, and begin winding 
 diagonally tailwards; pass floss after each diagonal coil into left "CATCH," 
 and stroke and wind alternately in increasingly wider coils up to the 
 butt ; then continue headwards, as already described for the tag, taking 
 yet more care to stroke and smooth whilst winding on coils in decreasing 
 closeness. These are not diagonal coils ; the silk is to be worked as 
 nearly as possible straight over the shank. 
 
 In thus proceeding headwards, allow the coils to so decrease in 
 
THE STOP AND THE CATCH. 
 
 77 
 
 closeness that a gradual taper is maintained by them. On covering the 
 whole of the former layer of floss, put " STOP " on the last coil. Eelease 
 tying-silk, gently unwind the two turns given to the floss at first, and tie 
 down with two firm turns in the same manner as with the floss of the 
 tag ; put tying-silk in " CATCH " while you cut off waste floss ; give one 
 more turn with tying-silk, and make off. 
 
 To obtain a perfectly level, glossy taper, arrange with the right 
 thumb nail any unevenesses, pressing headwards or tailwards, as may 
 be requisite; and afterwards " iron " the floss i.e., press the whole of 
 the section lightly between the fleshy balls of the fore-finger and thumb 
 of the right hand, whilst you turn the hook round and round by the bend 
 with those of the left. 
 
 Section IV. To form the "ribs " for this, the lower section of the 
 body, take the oval tinsel in the right fore-finger and thumb and wind it 
 over the floss in three open coils (see illustration) at regular distances 
 apart, using the " STOP " at each coil. Arriving at the end of the section 
 and having attached tweezers to the end of tinsel, release the tying-silk 
 and bind down the last coil of tinsel at the far side of the shank. Do this 
 with two turns, and not tight, as, on now putting the silk into " catch," 
 
 the tinsel coils are to be tightened by pulling the waste end towards you 
 with right fore-finger and thumb, using the nail of the right middle finger 
 
78 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 against the hook as a fulcrum. Make off. See diagram given simply to 
 show position of fingers ; " CATCH " and " STOP " being used simultaneously. 
 Now cut off waste end of tinsel, not too close, unwind or pull away the 
 silver covering up to last turn of tying-silk, and bind down the core with 
 three turns headward. Make off. 
 
 Section V. The hackle is next prepared by being " doubled " in the 
 following manner : 
 
 Take the hackle by its point between the left fore-finger and thumb ; 
 remove all fluffy fibres from the root of the quill, and then cut the bare 
 quill so as to leave about half an inch of it. 
 
 Put the end of the quill between the jaws of the tweezers (in a straight 
 line, and not an angle with them), and let the pliers thus attached hang 
 loosely in the palm of the right hand, so that the quill of the feather lies 
 just within the edge of the ball of the right fore-finger, the bright side of 
 the fibres being downwards. Now bend the quill of the hackle over the 
 edge of the right fore-finger ball by sinking and turning from you the left 
 
 DOUBLING THE HACKLE. 
 
 hand, in which the point of the hackle is being held, to a slightly lower 
 level than the right hand. Moisten the outer edge of the point of the 
 right thumb, and, pressing this part of the thumb over the bent part of 
 the quill of the hackle, and against the fore-finger underneath, urge, with 
 
DOUBLING THE HACKLE. 79 
 
 one movement, the far side fibres towards and over to their near side 
 companions, first, by a decided rub of the thumb along the quill towards 
 you, and then by stroking both sides of fibres between the thumb and 
 finger to their points slightly from you. 
 
 Repeat the rubbing and stroking in the manner described until the 
 far side fibres are brought over towards the others and remain "doubled." 
 
 Continue this over the whole of the feather, taking half an inch at 
 a time, thus finally bringing the fingers of the right hand close to those of 
 the left. The tweezers are allowed to drop lower and lower in the right 
 hand as the work proceeds. All the fibres will then be found to retain 
 their position on the correct side of the quill. Great care must be taken, 
 during the rubbing, not to twist or warp the quill in any degree. Moisten 
 and coax to a peak the end of the hackle from the point of tying on, and 
 pull the doubled fibres with the others from that point well back out of 
 the way of future work. 
 
 Prepare also the flat tinsel, brightening it with silicon, and cutting it 
 diagonally at one end to a long point. 
 
 Section VI. First set in the point of the hackle (its root to the 
 left and fibres downwards) on the far side of the shank, close up to the 
 end of the section. For this, undo two turns of tying-silk, make a 
 turn over the hackle-point to steady it, and hold all the work in position, 
 putting the tying-silk taut in "CATCH." Now set in the pointed end of the 
 tinsel close to the hackle (letting the main part rest over the left hand) also 
 on the far side of the shank, in continuation of the former ribbing, with 
 its cut edge tailwards. After unwinding tying-silk, put two or three turns 
 of silk over it headwards, and make off. 
 
 Section VII. Take a pinch of Seal's fur large enough when rolled 
 on to well cover the lower half of the shank. Judgment in the exact 
 amount of material will soon come with experience. Rub this pinch to 
 and fro between the right fingers and thumb so as to form a cone. Let it 
 drop on the table, choose the best tapered end, and proceed thus : 
 
 Taking the hook firmly in the left hand, close up to the latest work, 
 holding the hackle-fibres and tinsel well away, release the silk and put it 
 in " CATCH." Lay the chosen end of the Seal's fur cone against the far 
 side of the shank immediately on the tying-silk, and put " STOP " on both 
 
80 
 
 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 fur-end and tying-silk. Then, transferring tying-silk to the right fore- 
 finger and thumb, but keeping it in the same line of direction in front of 
 the fur, pass the left third and fourth fingers behind the fur and against 
 it into such a position that, whilst the fur is being spun on the tying-silk, 
 they shall serve for the combined fur and tying-silk, as the bridge of a 
 violin does for its strings, and prevent the spin given from untwisting. 
 
 Spin the fur on tl: e 
 tying-silk by lay- 
 ing it in its entire 
 length along the 
 latter, and holding 
 both together fairly 
 taut between the 
 right fore - finger 
 and thumb ; and 
 then, with that 
 finger and thumb, 
 twirl the fur upon 
 the silk. Twirl 
 from right to left, 
 and at each com- 
 pletion of a full 
 passage of the 
 thumb across the 
 fore - finger place 
 the fur and silk in 
 the left " CATCH," 
 and thereupon 
 stroke the tying- 
 
 SPINNING THE SEAL'S FUR. 
 
 silk lightly down 
 with the right fore- 
 finger and thumb, 
 in order to pass 
 the twist in it on 
 throughout its 
 whole length be- 
 yond the "CATCH," 
 and away ; other- 
 wise the spun part 
 will liberate itself 
 from the twist im- 
 posed on it, and silk 
 and fur will part 
 company again. 
 The failure to do 
 this accounts for 
 much imperfect 
 amateur "dub- 
 bing " in all kinds 
 of flies. Eemember 
 to maintain the 
 left "STOP "all the 
 
 while ; and observe that the violin bridge arrangement gives facility for 
 a proper distribution of the fur. 
 
 The fur being well spun on the silk, wind it round the shank in close 
 coils headward, but not so far as to encroach upon the space intended for 
 the wings. On arriving at that point put silk in " CATCH," strip all super- 
 fluous fur off the end of it; and with the right fore-finger and thumb- 
 
Plate 2 
 
 THUNDER & LIGHTNING " 
 
 THE HARLEQUIN. 
 
 THE LION 
 
 JOHN FERGUSON 
 
 THE BARON 
 
 SILVER DOCTOR. 
 
PUTTING ON THE HACKLE. 81 
 
 press tailward, and away from the head-end of the fly, all the bristling ends of 
 Seal's fur ; move up the left fore-finger and thumb to hold these ends 
 neatly down, and tie two turns of silk, tailwards, over the extreme end 
 of the fur. Make off. 
 
 All the lumps in the fur are now dispersed, and the taper-shape of 
 the body assisted by inserting the stiletto-point lightly into the fur at the 
 head-end, and teasing the fur, by a kind of combing action, tailwards and 
 outwards. In doing this, hold the stiletto almost but not quite parallel 
 to the hook-shank. 
 
 Section VIII. Make three open equi-distant ribs with the flat tinsel, 
 use " STOP " on last coil, as before, and tie down with two turns head- 
 wards. Tighten the tinsel by pulling, as in the case of oval tinsel, 
 give another turn of silk, and make off. 
 
 Cut off the waste tinsel at an angle, and turn the tiny point back over 
 the tie, for security, under the hook. 
 
 Section IX. Next, keeping the hackle on its side edge and the fibres 
 downwards, wind it tightly as close as possible to the tinsel ribbing on the 
 tail side, at each coil letting go with the right and using " STOP " with 
 the left. Use the tweezers only after the first coil of hackle. After 
 sufficient coils are made, use " STOP," let tweezers hang, insert the point 
 of the stiletto, and strip the superfluous hackle fibres off. Then, with 
 tweezers on, tie the shaft under the shank with, say, two turns ; pull the 
 stump of it, and give two more turns to fix the hackle firmly. Make off. 
 
 Press all the fibres so as to compel them to incline towards the tail. 
 It is safer not to cut off the hackle waste yet. 
 
 Double the " Gallina " hackle for the throat. 
 
 Section X. At this stage we shall probably have exhausted our 
 length of tying-silk, and must " set in " a new one, doing so with two 
 turns, close up to the hackle, before putting it in " CATCH." After cutting 
 off the waste end of new silk, tie in the point of the Gallina, or throat 
 hackle, on the near side of the hook, with three turns of silk, holding the 
 doubled fibres neatly in left grip (which also holds the hook), and then 
 put the silk in " CATCH." Eelease from make q^the end of old tying-silk 
 and cut it off, together with the waste of both hackles (but not too short) . 
 Make off. 
 
 G 
 
82 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 Section XI. Now attach tweezers, and make two or three close coils 
 of the Gallina hackle. Let tweezers hang. Press with the finger-nails 
 the coils close up together, release silk and fasten root with two turns of 
 it. Catch silk again ; pull hackle tight, cautiously, and bind the stump 
 end of hackle-quill alongside the other under the shank with six even, 
 close turns, thus fixing it out of the way of the wings, and making a little 
 more than half of the foundation for them. Make off. At this particular 
 
 part of the fly the very utmost neatness is essential to the final correct 
 set of the wings, and the smallest unevenness in the foundation work for 
 them will defeat all subsequent attempts to compact and fix a wing which 
 shall preserve its natural and proper shape. 
 
 I say "preserve," because it is possible, by a certain amount of 
 dexterous manipulation to get the feathers of the wing to sit temporarily 
 in position ; but on the wing being handled, or put to the test of use, it 
 soon drops its company manners and betrays its real character. Its 
 strands or strips refuse to curve together, part company, and stick out 
 in all directions, like a badly-used birchbroom. With such a fly, there is 
 no guarantee that the wing is not top-sided, or otherwise so wanting in 
 balance of material or balance of action, that in the water it is productive of 
 wobbling, or some other irregularity of conduct not conducive to good sport. 
 
 OPERATION TV. 
 (Built wings, with under-wing.) 
 
 PUTTING ON THE WINGS. We adopt a type of wing here, not as being 
 the easiest to learn to tie like the mixed wings but as most instructive 
 to the learner. 
 
FIXING THE UNDER-WING. 83 
 
 Section I. Take right and left strips of, say white-tipped Turkey 
 (as used in "Jock Scott") about eight strands broad of the feather, as 
 described for that fly. Lay these together, dull sides inwards, that is to 
 say, " back to back." 
 
 The turns of silk which tie the throat hackle should have occupied 
 about half the space intended as foundation for the wings ; the other 
 half, for the time being, is bare. 
 
 With the right fore-finger and thumb take the strips (which should 
 lie close alongside each other, and accurately coincide along their edges 
 and at their points) and coax them with the left fore-finger and thumb 
 into proper curve. Hold their stumps in the right hand during the 
 process, so as to allow the upper strands to be increased in length if 
 necessary. (By this means only can these wing-feathers be so shaped as 
 to form a fairly regular line at their extremities, as shown in the 
 Analytical Diagram, Chapter II.) Then, holding the hook in the left 
 fore-finger and thumb by' its bend, place the arranged strips in their 
 proper position upon the foundation intended for them, with their lower 
 points measured to extend just beyond the extremity of the " tag." The 
 right fore-finger and thumb (which are then to grasp the strips from 
 above) will seize, in the same grasp with them, the head-end of the hook- 
 shank also, and hold them upon it. The left fore-finger and thumb grasp 
 loosely (also from above and right up to the hackle tie) both the strips and 
 the body of the fly. Then, working from the tcrist, draw the left fore- 
 finger and thumb, with a curving movement over the wing, so as to 
 conform it to the bend of the hook. Having done this, hold the strips 
 close down upon the top of the body-work in the left grip. 
 
 If these strips of feather in hand are at all intractable, I guide them 
 (after they are grasped and the left fore-finger and thumb are well ex- 
 tended for tying down, the left hand being so level as to permit a tumbler 
 resting on it) down to envelope the hook bend, each on its own side of the 
 shank. This should not crumple them ; and when liberated they should 
 easily assume their proper position before being finally fixed. 
 
 Release the right hand from its grip, and proceed to tie down the 
 wing thus : A turn of silk is passed lightly over the wing, close to the 
 hackle, and put into CATCH. In this case, the CATCH fingers are brought 
 
84 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 up somewhat near to the shank beforehand so as to allow room for them 
 to pull. 
 
 Then, with these CATCH fingers draw the silk gently taut downwards, 
 while the right fore-finger and thumb grasp the strips at the point of tie, 
 so that the wings shall not be bent over to one side or the other, but sit 
 regularly on edge when completed. This regularity is secured 011 the one 
 hand by the grasping, and on the other, by keeping the other end of the 
 strips strictly in position by a well-sustained pressure of the left fore- 
 finger and thumb, while the tying-silk is pulled taut. CATCH silk. 
 
 Maintain the left pressure, and before putting further turns of silk 
 headwards, lift up the waste ends on to the top of thejiook. This lifting 
 serves a double purpose. In the first place, it so affects the strips that 
 they " sit down " close along the body- work, leaving little space between 
 them and the butt ; and secondly, it helps to keep them in the desired 
 position when the fly is finished. The waste ends are taken in one grasp, 
 and somewhat forcibly made to rest on the shank, instead of posing by the 
 side of it. Give further turns ; make off, and inspect work. 
 
 The under-wings should now be easily stroked with the right fingers 
 into their correct position (as shown in the Analytical fly), unbroken in 
 fibre, and each presenting a similar appearance, especially at the point of 
 tying on. Were it not for the lifting, the strips would "sit up " much 
 above the body work, and so be almost obscured by the materials worked 
 on afterwards. But it is not expected that the student will be pleased or 
 satisfied with his effort at the onset. Success in this detail cannot be 
 reached without practice, and the endeavour to attain it. If, however, he 
 chooses, he can resort to the far more simple method of fixing mixed 
 wings, which I will explain presently. By such method he can master 
 Turkey strips in an hour ; and Mallard strips, or even those of Teal, in 
 a day. 
 
 It will assist the learner at this point to remind him that the single 
 strands of wing-feathers are not round, but more or less knife shaped, and 
 that all strips or strands must be so tied to the hook, when tied on either 
 side, that the knife edges shall incline upivards. 
 
 To recognize this fact means getting at the root of the problem of correct 
 winging. By taking a good big strand of feather, one, for example, from 
 
MARRYING STRIPS OF FEATHERS. 85 
 
 the tail of the blue Macaw, the knife shape is distinctly visible. Observe 
 narrowly the edge of the strand, and then, for practice, tie it on to the 
 side of a hook shank with a couple of turns of silk. If tied sharp edge 
 doivn, the strand will not curve properly in the water, however well it 
 may appear to do so out of it. Tied sharp edge up, and the curve can be 
 made at the desired angle by stroking with the right hand, not too late, 
 in fixing, and remain unalterably so. I would add, that in taking off 
 strips of feather from the quill itself, the point of the stiletto can be used 
 for dividing the portion wanted, which is afterwards grasped by the right 
 fore-finger and thumb, and stripped off rapidly by those fingers, whilst 
 the left hand holds the upper part of the feather. This, in my opinion, 
 is the best plan for a beginner ; and, with such elaborate directions, 
 practice should ensure expertness in the operation of fixing under-wings, 
 provided always that the grip of the left be correctly made and firmly 
 sustained, until the strips have been regulated as aforesaid, and tied 
 down. By "correct" is meant that the tips of the fore-finger and thumb 
 first make their grip of the under-wings from above, at that part of the 
 body from which the fibres of the throat-hackle spring ; the fingers, still 
 gripping, then proceed to draw all the fibres a little back out of the way 
 of the work, and do not become relaxed in their hold. 
 
 Section II. The inspection being over, and foregoing hints digested, 
 pass the silk from Make off into " CATCH " ; and with point of scissors 
 laid level with the direction of the shank (the point of the scissors turn 
 up, remember, at an angle of about 30). If straight-pointed scissors be 
 used, they must be laid at an angle of about 30 as best they can ; cut 
 away the waste fibres, so forming a taper headward, and make off again. 
 
 Section III. Next take from, say, a Bustard feather, right and left 
 strips, each of about five strands in breadth, and similar strips from right 
 and left Mallard feathers. Marry these two sorts, right with right, and 
 left with left, and lay them on the table. 
 
 By "marrying," is meant, so joining two or more strips of feather 
 to each other by their adjacent edges as to form one strip, equivalent in 
 size to the several breadths added together. In the present instance, 
 take the right strip of Bustard and of Mallard (strongly inclined to 
 marriage are these), and place them alongside each other (the Bustard 
 
86 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 below) that the points of the upper strip extend a little. Hold them, so 
 applied together, at the points by the left fore-finger and thumb , and, 
 with the right fore-finger and thumb, gently press and hold the roots 
 together (which may not be the same in length), and let the points free. 
 To form the union, stroke and coax with the left fore-finger and thumb 
 the two strips, so held, from the roots along their whole length, when it 
 will be soon found that their edges cohere naturally and firmly by the 
 interlocking of the tiny, fluffy filaments at those edges. 
 
 Put silk in CATCH. Take in the right fore-finger and thumb the 
 married strips intended for the far side wing, and lay them, bright side 
 out, with their root ends against the shank at the tyirig point, and at such 
 an angle to the shank that, not only the lower edges of the married strips 
 may conform themselves to the upper curve of the under-wing, but also 
 that the tips shall extend in gradation beyond its extreme point. 
 
 The shape of wing desired is illustrated in the Analytical-fly, 
 Chapter II. 
 
 Section IV. At this stage we arrive at what is undeniably the crux 
 of fly dressing ; the above-described operation, however, being mastered, 
 the student will easily tackle any kind of wing. He will give the wing 
 that compactness, that graceful curve, and will exhibit in its destined 
 place each constituent fibre or strip of feather that is so pleasing to the 
 veteran Fisher's eye and so fatal to the fish. 
 
 The correct curve is obtained by laying, or offering, the wing-strips 
 at their destined angle, at first only temporarily, for the purpose of 
 ensuring their proper length by measurement. Then, without disturbing 
 their natural coherence in the least degree, the married strips are gently 
 brought up into a nearly erect position i.e., at nearly right angles to the 
 shank. Hold them so to the shank with the right fore-finger and thumb, 
 which grip both strips and hook-shank ; seize with left fore-finger and 
 thumb the main part of the strips, and, by a curving stroke, press them 
 down taihvards, and hold them, with the underwing, well down nearly 
 upon the hook. This position is such that a slight hump, like a cat's 
 arched back, is created in the strips, close to the grip of the right fore- 
 finger and thumb. Gradually relax the right grip, and at the same time 
 apply the left STOP, to preserve the " hump." Release the silk, and tie 
 
AN ORDERLY FLY. 87 
 
 on these strips. Easily said, no doubt, but not quite so easily done, 
 unless one knows how. Thus then : 
 
 Using the STOP to keep the fibres in their regular, natural order, and 
 not lapping over each other, pass the silk round them, but not as if you 
 were running cord round a parcel. The silk must be passed round loosely, 
 the STOP finger must then press down from above against it, and be kept 
 firm whilst the silk is drawn fairly taut. Partially remove the STOP 
 finger while you place silk again over to far side, give another turn, 
 tighter still, whilst the STOP finger presses as before. Make off. Be very 
 careful to keep all fibres in position. 
 
 Section V. This done, move left fore-finger and thumb up close to 
 the tying point, and hold that part together with the work behind it in a 
 firm grip ; release silk and put it in CATCH, and with right fore-finger and 
 thumb lift up the waste ends of the strips of wing upon the top of the 
 shank. If they are too short to catch hold, push the waste ends up with 
 point of stiletto, which should be held in a vertical position. 
 
 The wing-strips should, hereupon, present an orderly appearance, 
 both in their "marrying" and in their springing neatly and well together 
 from the same point, like a half-shut fan. 
 
 They will not yet, however, sit down close upon the under- wing; that 
 union will be effected by subsequent work. 
 
 Section VI. The near wing-strips are similarly laid on and treated. 
 In their case, however, a different principle is adopted. The very binding 
 and pressure of STOP finger of the far side strips compels the sharp edges 
 to assume their correct position, whilst on the near side of the wing, the 
 tying-silk has an opposite effect. It is, therefore, necessary after placing 
 the strips in position (the silk being in CATCH) to make the left thumb 
 serve the same purpose as the STOP finger in the former instance that is 
 to say, the thumb presses the part of the strips that is to be tied down 
 from above. Without relaxing the pressure so given, the thumb is then 
 slightly drawn back out of the way temporarily, in order that the tying- 
 silk may be placed over, and the work continued. Some dressers prefer 
 to tie down the near wing by hitching the silk under the point of the 
 hook-shank, and then winding it towards them ; but the plan is not one 
 to be recommended in this book. Before making off, do not forget to lift 
 
88 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 up the waste ends, as in the former instance ; and do not be discouraged 
 if the wings are not yet accurately in their final position. To put the 
 finishing touches on, much is done by further manipulation. After lifting 
 up the ends, transfer silk to CATCH, give another turn of it, then cut roots 
 taperingly, and make off. 
 
 Section VII. Select further materials for each wing say, strips, 
 three strands broad, of Swan dyed red, of ditto blue, of ditto yellow ; and 
 two broader strips of Teal. Marry them all together, Teal lowest, for the 
 separate wings, as before. By the grips of right and left fore-fingers and 
 thumbs (already described) reproduce the "hump, "lay into place the new 
 instalments of wing, previously measured as to length, and tie down as 
 previously directed, catching, lifting up, and making off. Select head herl. 
 Section VIII. Prepare a topping of suitable length by stripping it as 
 before of any dull, short, downy fibres at the base, and making a furrow 
 transversely in its shaft to receive the tying-silk. To make the furrow, 
 lay the shaft along over the ball of the right thumb, the main curve of 
 the feather projecting out beyond and in a perpendicular plane, the point 
 turning downwards and neither to right nor to left. With nail of right 
 middle finger indent gently at the required spot, keeping your eye all the 
 while fixed on the feather to see that it does not turn sideways out of the 
 straight plane, which, however, the direction of the pressure might regulate. 
 Now touch thinly with varnish the top of the head of the fly where 
 the topping is to lie. 
 
 Release silk and put it in CATCH. 
 
 Section IX. Take the topping in right fore-finger and thumb, by its 
 root, and lay it in position. Then with the left fore-finger and thumb 
 seize the main part of the feather together with the whole wing close 
 down to the work. Pass the silk once over it, and into CATCH. If not 
 already in a straight line with the shank, and quite on. the top of it, the 
 root of the topping should now be put into that position. Bind on with 
 six tight turns loopwards. Put silk in CATCH. Cut off all wastes. Then, 
 with the stiletto point, work a little varnish thoroughly in among the 
 stump ends and round them ; tie loopwards, almost to the end of the 
 shank, and then about three more turns, backwards towards the tail, and 
 put silk in CATCH. 
 
INSTRUCTION FLY NO. 1. 89 
 
 Section X. Next, with its root end to right, tie in on near side the 
 point of the head-herl, with its flock y edge downwards. To do this, hold 
 the point of the herl by the left thumb, which raise slightly from its grip 
 of the hook to receive it and, allowing half an inch of herl for waste, 
 closely wind the silk tailwards up to the wings. CATCH the silk once 
 more. Ascertain, by gentle pull over and turn over, if necessary, whether 
 the herl will lie rightly, that is, flock loopwards ; attach tweezers and 
 wind four coils of herl tailwards, reaching close up to the wing. Let 
 tweezers hang. Transferring silk from CATCH into right fore-finger and 
 thumb, extend the three unengaged left fingers straight out from you and 
 pass the silk taut under the hook (as if unwinding) into CATCH of left 
 middle and third fingers so extended. Varnish the taut silk for about 
 half an inch, beginning from the fly, outwards ; loop the unvarnished part 
 immediately beyond the part varnished, and pass the loop, when made to 
 form a half-hitch, over the whole head, so that it may come to rest 
 between the wings and the herl head. Hold it there with STOP finger, 
 and pull taut with right fore-finger and thumb. This will form a single 
 varnished knot, and will be perfectly secure (as well as neat) when the 
 varnish is quite dry. 
 
 Section XI. In extended CATCH-grip seize tweezers and waste of 
 silk, now both hanging down ; turn the left hand over towards you, and, 
 
 ixsruucnoN FLY NO. i 
 
 with the point of the scissors, cut the waste of herl and tying-silk'neatly 
 off, and then the waste point of herl. 
 
90 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 Finally, trim the fur and hackles with the stiletto-point, laying the 
 fly against the balls of the STOP and the adjacent fingers whilst combing 
 the various hackle-fibres and inclining them tailwards. The different 
 portion of the wing will readily conform themselves to their respective 
 positions by a little coaxing and stroking between the right finger and 
 thumb. 
 
 INSTRUCTION FLY No. II. 
 (Silver Doctor variation.) 
 
 To ILLUSTRATE MAKING THE BEST SORT OF METAL BODY AND 
 THE MIXED WING. Materials : hook, twist, and floss (dark yellow) as 
 in Fly No. 1. A topping: 1J inches scarlet Berlin wool; 8 inches 
 broadish silver tinsel ; 3J inches oval silver tinsel ; 8 inches white floss ; 
 Blue hackle, and Gallina hackle. Strips (~ inch broad) from right and 
 left of Peacock-wing, Bustard, Golden Pheasant tail, light mottled 
 Turkey, black Turkey white tipped. Amherst Pheasant tail, Gallina, 
 three strands of right and of left Swan dyed red, yellow, and blue. A 
 topping for the wings. 
 
 Proceed with loop, tag, and tail as in No. 1 Fly. Next prepare 
 scarlet wool for butt. Take a small length of Berlin wool and shred it. 
 This is easily done. Hold at one end the piece in the left hand ; and, 
 with the thumb-nail of the right hand, press the point of the other end 
 on the ball of the right fore-finger and snip away shreds. Continue this, 
 and when sufficient stock is collected, put it all together, lengthwise, and 
 gently roll it between the fingers, so as to form a cone. Spin the cone on to 
 the tying-silk after the fashion of spinning on Seal's fur, but ensure more 
 smoothness by giving extra spins. The cone for butt or head is one inch 
 and a quarter in length, and is tapered at each end to a very fine point. 
 Form the butt with close consecutive coils headwards. Make off. 
 
 The butt will assume at once a level, even form, more oval in section 
 than round, but a little manipulation is yet required. Press it towards 
 tag with nails of right thumb and middle finger, giving support with the 
 corresponding nails of the left hand in front of the coils. 
 
 Bevel one end of the flat broad tinsel by cutting it with the scissors 
 at an angle, a good J of an inch in length. Do not forget the silicon. 
 Prepare oval tinsel as before. 
 
THE METAL BODY. 
 
 91 
 
 Now bind down stump of topping, so that the whole space left bare 
 between the butt and binding of gut-loop is nearly levelled up. Put 
 tying-silk in CATCH. Lay the oval tinsel on the far side of shank, take 
 tying-silk, and bind the core of tinsel with two turns. 
 
 (Note that the third or next turn of tying-silk constitutes the first 
 turn which binds the broad tinsel.) Eemember that a mere suspicion 
 of the core should now be visible between the turns of tying-silk and the 
 silver. Put silk in CATCH. Lay on broad tinsel next the oval, with the 
 bevel facing tailwards. With two turns tie it, but not tightly, at about 
 one-quarter way up the bevel ; raise the tinsel into an upright position 
 and pull the turns taut. The subsequent turns bind down waste and 
 core upon former foundation. Tie them down. With the final two 
 turns of this binding, tie in on the near side the white floss, which is 
 employed only in first-class work to secure absolute neatness of body 
 tinsel. It is tied at that part of the floss so as to leave two-thirds of the 
 length tailwards, one-third headwards. Make off. Wind headwards the 
 right portion of floss towards you, placing the coils gradually closer 
 
92 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 together to form the taper. On arriving at the head pass two turns of 
 tying-silk round the floss just upon the end of the gut binding. Put silk 
 in CATCH ; cut off floss waste ; make off. 
 
 With the point of a needle gently tease the floss coils, and then by 
 the process of "ironing" them (as explained) the foundation, so far, 
 should be smooth and fairly tapered. 
 
 Wind on left portion of floss from you, tailwards and back over all, 
 headwards. At each coil put floss in CATCH and smooth it. As you pro- 
 ceed with the coils watch the progress of the taper. In finishing at the 
 head, place the floss in CATCH, undo the former two turns of tying-silk, 
 and tie the completed foundation down in their place. Make off. 
 
 (Some Amateurs fasten the floss at the head end of the hook and 
 coil it, in one length, first tailwards and then headwards a method I 
 recommend only for silk-bodied flies after weeks of practice.) 
 
 Wind on flat tinsel in close coils ; these are not diagonal coils, the 
 tinsel is worked as nearly as possible straight over the shank. In coiling 
 it you will observe that the point of tie on the bevel was so cut or bevelled 
 that the edge of the first coil shall lie close alongside the butt. On com- 
 pleting this first coil pat tinsel in CATCH, and flatten with right middle 
 finger nail the part where it first bends over, the left thumb being placed 
 under shank in support. Continue these coils, which must not overlap, 
 but lie close alongside each other, so that in the end they resemble the 
 desired appearance of a piece of piping. 
 
 Put STOP on last coil while you apply tweezers, and pass two turns 
 of tying-silk over it, not too tightly. Examine latest coils : press them 
 together tailwards with the finger nails, pull last coil taut ; tighten tying- 
 silk and put it in CATCH. 
 
 The tinsel is now partially secured under the shank. 
 
 Bend last coil of tinsel back, and press it close down upon the two 
 turns of tying-silk which hold it fixed. Flatten the bend with the finger 
 nail by turning the back of left hand towards you to facilitate matters. 
 It is obvious that this " bending back " gives extra holding power and 
 makes the work secure. When the first few of the next turns of tying- 
 silk (tailwards) have passed half way over the part bent back, put silk in 
 CATCH, cut off the waste tinsel close there, and after binding down with 
 
A MIXED WING. 93 
 
 two more turns tailwards, the foundation for the head-hackles will have 
 been thus formed. Make off. 
 
 Now proceed with the ribs, and do not fail to give this tinsel a final 
 pull before completely fixing it. 
 
 Next prepare and put on the two hackles, by the method as laid 
 down in No 1, Sections 4, 5, 10, and 11. Mark here that, in this instance, 
 these two hackles are intended for the throat, and that, in consequence, a 
 trifle more room must be allowed as bedding for their coils, than in those 
 cases where one of them is used for a body-hackle. When these are fixed 
 on by the directions previously explained, put the fly down and prepare 
 the wings. 
 
 At this stage I would remark that the wings selected for this type of 
 fly I call " Mixed Wings." As the pioneer of this system, perhaps I may 
 
 say without egotism that, amidst the many changes which have occurred 
 of late years, not only in the formation, but in the method of makins 
 certain flies, " mixed wings," with the exception of " Grubs," have met 
 with the greatest share of approval and success. I personally worked out 
 this original style of winging, and made it generally known among my 
 immediate friends on finding how well it answered in actual use. Many 
 years afterwards, in 1883 or 1884, I described the method of forming these 
 wings in the Fishing Gazette, and it is gratifying to note that mixed 
 wings are advocated by the authors of recent treatises on the subject. 
 But the way of formation was considerably improved by me in 1888, and 
 
94 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 the method of fixing has since been entirely converted. Not only 
 the dresser formerly limited to the size of the hook, but, in the absence 
 of long practical experience, was heavily handicapped by the method of 
 mounting as then practised. I am, however, glad to say that I have 
 satisfactorily overcome these disadvantages, and have, in fact, reduced 
 the whole business well within the management of a beginner at fly work. 
 Nor is this all ; for I have had a few -years to give the latter system a 
 right and proper test, and have no hesitation in endeavouring now to 
 explain it. 
 
 Mixed wings are now formed by mixing together fibres of different 
 lengths of feathers. 
 
 Select first, say, four fibres from the shorter and finer feathers, such 
 as Teal, Ibis, Gallina, tippet, powdered blue Macaw, and Summer Duck 
 (all of them if you please) for part of one wing, and corresponding 
 feathers for part of the other wing. Place them in consecutive working 
 order on the right and left side of your table, and proceed to make up 
 three bundles of single strands from one of these two sets at a time. 
 These bundles will eventually form what is now termed the " skin " of 
 the wings on their respective sides fibres taken from the left side of 
 the quill or shaft for the far wing, and from the right side of the quill for 
 the near one. It is not necessary for these fibres to be of equal length in 
 the made up bundles. 
 
 Take, for example, a single fibre from each of the three feathers in 
 rotation (using, say, the left set first), and place them one by one upon 
 the ball of the left fore-finger alongside each other, holding them all 
 curving down, and gently pressing them with the thumb, the point of 
 which is partially raised each time, for the purpose of putting others there. 
 
 Having taken, say, your half dozen strands (two of each feather), 
 and having put them in this way, carefully place the thumb and fore- 
 finger of the right hand across the roots to hold them while the left 
 finger and thumb, pressing on the fibres, are drawn thence out, towards, 
 and beyond the points. This will induce the sides of the fibres to adhere 
 to one another, and so form a " skin " in one apparent strip. Two more 
 of these strips or slips, so made up, and of the same materials, will con- 
 stitute the whole of one skin. 
 
THE MATEBIALS AND METHOD OP FIXING. 
 
 95 
 
 In placing and joining the three side by side extend the middle strip 
 beyond the lower and the upper strip beyond the middle one. When they 
 are all together, a little manipulation of the hands and fingers will regulate 
 the " step-like " outline of their points. Make up the right set in a 
 similar fashion. 
 
 Select next, feathrsrs, say, from Peacock wing, Golden Pheasant tail, 
 Turkey, Bustard and Swan dyed red, yellow, and blue. Arrange their 
 
 order and continue the 
 work as before. After 
 manipulating their 
 points so that they shall 
 gradually in crease in 
 length towards the top 
 part of the wing, put 
 each of these two new 
 made-up sets on the 
 inner side of the two 
 skins, taking care that, 
 in so doing, their points 
 extend beyond the 
 others to the length of 
 wing desired. 
 
 The right and left 
 wing, so composed, that 
 is to say, enveloping 
 the "two new made-up 
 sets," are now put 
 together (back to back) 
 
 NEW METHOD OF 
 FIXING MIXED WINGS. 
 
 and tied on the hook by 
 the following method, 
 which, in theory, is 
 just as commendable, 
 as in practice the result 
 is, or should be, in- 
 evitable, and in fishing 
 effectual. 
 
 Having touched 
 with varnish the coils 
 of tying-silk forming 
 the foundation, seize 
 the whole wing by the 
 roots with the right 
 hand, and measure the 
 proper length of the 
 wings by offering them 
 to the hook. Now hold 
 the wings and the hook 
 in the left hand, the 
 fingers being straight 
 
 with the shank. The fingers and hook-shank being now in a horizontal 
 position (see diagram), release tying-silk and pass it first round the left 
 little finger point from towards you to X, then up, under the left 
 thumb, over the wings and under fore-finger grip. Now pull X X 
 together until the wings are gently and symmetrically brought straight 
 down upon the hook and into place, maintaining the grip of the left hand 
 upon them throughout. Remove little finger from its engagement, but 
 
9b THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 not the left grip, and pull the slack over and taut, catching hold of the 
 end of the tying-silk for the purpose. Bind with three more turns in 
 the usual way, headwards, using STOP. Make off. 
 
 In binding down such wings as these by the ordinary method, the 
 unpractised artist sees a strong tendency, throughout the early process, for 
 them to tilt over the far side. This always creates difficulties for him ; 
 whereas, by pulling X and X together, with due care, all tilting is 
 obviated, and the wings are drawn evenly down into their permanent 
 position on to the top of the shank. The first turn of the tying-silk 
 should rest close against the throat-hackle and go straight up, over the 
 wings. It must not pass beyond that turn (tailwards) in subsequent 
 fixing. In making the " three more turns," put silk in CATCH after every 
 one, in order to press back the roots of the fibres over towards you with 
 the nail of the right middle finger, that they shall finally rest exactly 
 upon the top of the shank. Make off. 
 
 f, 
 
 INSTKUCTION FLY No. 2. 
 
 ?' 
 
 At this stage, the wings, although fairly firm, will not decline to 
 yield to the pressure given in " humping " our next procedure. 
 
 " Humping " is a scheme by which a superb shape of wing is secured 
 a good curve given to the upper fibres, whilst the lower ones run almost 
 parallel with the shank of the hook and close to it. The " hump " is 
 produced by holding the wings with a good grip of the fore-fingers and 
 
HUMPING. 
 
 97 
 
 thumbs those of the left hand gripping just on the head side of the 
 middle part of the feathers ; those of the right close to their tying point. 
 The wrists, at first elevated to the top of the dotted curve in the 
 diagram, are now slowly depressed, and the fore-fingers and thumbs of 
 the respective hands, at first touching each other at the side edges of 
 their nails, draw wider and wider from each other, as if hinged at their 
 
 extreme points. 
 
 I-.. 
 
 - . 
 
 HUMPING THE WINGS. 
 
 The peculiar pressure necessary is given harder at the top of the 
 wings with the right hand than below them, whilst the lower part of the 
 wings in the left hand is held firmer than the upper part. Accordingly 
 the roots covered by the tying-silk slightly yield to the pressure, with the 
 result that the fibres now poise from the head in a more upright line of 
 direction. See if it is necessary to repeat the process ; but if all has 
 gone well, permanently tie the wings down in the following manner : 
 
 Kelease from " Make off" ; hold silk taut, carefully unwind the three 
 last turns, and bind down in the ordinary way with four fresh turns, 
 headwards ; at each turn use STOP against both the tying-silk and the 
 fibres to prevent them shifting as you pull. Put silk in CATCH. Cut off 
 roots of fibres, pointing scissors tailwards, as before explained, to form 
 taper ; touch with varnish, release silk ; finish by binding on in close 
 turns headwards, and then back. Put silk in CATCH on reaching the last 
 turn but one tailwards, varnish silk as usual, and tie with a half-hitch (see 
 
 H 
 
98 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 Instruction Fly No. 2, Chapter II.). The practical advantages of this 
 modern plan have been mentioned, and no one reading the particulars in 
 their entirety, be he amateur or professional, will fail to mentally realise 
 the result of the method a method which will at least materially simplify 
 matters for untrained hands. 
 
 We have now completed a first-class metal-bodied, mixed-winged 
 fly, and the head, when dry, should " receive another coat of varnish. 
 (For ordinary fishing purposes, the floss silk foundation is omitted by 
 expert dressers.) But sometimes it is desired to crown the wings with a 
 strip of Mallard on each side. Such a " cap." steadies them in the water. 
 Sometimes a topping is used to finish ; whilst a narrow strip of Teal 
 added to each side gives great effect and life. And " horns " and 
 " cheeks," " sides," and a " head " may be fancied and wanted. In any 
 of these. cases, the additional material is tied upon the former work, after 
 the waste ends have been cut off, and before varnishing. 
 
 Such are the secrets of fly making to be generally followed; but let us 
 look now to certain other particulars. 
 
 1. Silk-bodied flies. 
 
 1. Oval tinsel-bodied flies. 
 
 3. Sides. 
 
 4. Cheeks. 
 
 5. Whole Feather winged flies. 
 
 (5. Strip winged flies, and Spey type. 
 
 7. Topping winged flies. 
 
 8. Chenille bodies, etc. 
 
 In forming a silk body (No. 1 of these particulars), the point I would 
 make clear brings to light a distinction which is rarely observed. Thus, 
 instead of fixing floss at the tailward end of the gut loop, as before ex- 
 plained, it is tied in at the head-end of the fly, and the whole length 
 coiled first tailwards and then headwards. During the process it is 
 "stroked," "smoothed," and "ironed," as explained in Operation 2, 
 Instruction Fly No. 1. On reaching the butt, it is held taut in CATCH, 
 whilst the foundation coils made are so regulated as to form an even 
 surface to finish off upon. Any little lump in them is pressed level with 
 the thumb nails, whilst any little dip is frayed up with the point of a 
 
DYED QUILL. 99 
 
 needle before the final ironing takes place. It is only necessary to add 
 that the final layer of floss itself binds the point of the hackle at the place 
 desired. 
 
 (As most floss silks change colour in use, the dresser can acquaint 
 himself with their appearance by applying paraffin with a camel's hair 
 brush to any of them. But I much prefer dyed quill to the best of floss 
 silk, and I get it from Courtney, at Killarney. It is easily cut into narrow 
 strips, and far easier than silk to put on the hook. Quill is doubly useful. 
 It lasts longer than silk, and you knoiv where you are in "keeping accounts 
 of, and making deductions from, the circumstances and conditions attend- 
 ing the rises and captures of fish. Consequently, you are less likely in 
 future to fall into error, and be mistaken in choosing a particular coloured 
 fly for similar occasions and conditions. Once you make a " Jock Scott " 
 with good yellow quill, and you will not hurriedly return to floss silk.) 
 
 No. 2. Oval tinsel bodies may be briefly dismissed. 
 
 Prepare the oval tinsel by exposing the core to tie on, and by 
 brightening with silicon. In coiling it headward, press each coil with 
 right thumb and middle finger nails, tailwards, whilst the length of tinsel 
 is held taut in CATCH. This tinsel ties in the body-hackle. 
 
 No. 3. Sides : Generally of one Jungle feather put on each side of 
 the wing in the centre, and extending from the head to the middle of the 
 wing. Strip stump of Jungle, and partially fix with two turns of tying- 
 silk, tailwards ; inspect work by raising left thumb on near side, and 
 fore-finger on far side. Provided the feather lies close all along the wing, 
 carefully replace thumb and finger, and tie down headward. But if, on 
 inspection, either feather turns outwards or upwards, twist it by catching 
 hold of root to the position desired before tying down. 
 
 No. 4. Cheeks are one third the length of sides, and are generally of 
 Chatterer. 
 
 Follow directions given for Sides. 
 
 No. 5. Whole feather winged flies. 
 
 Measure length ; strip end ; indent for tying-silk. 
 
 No. G. Strip winged flies. Here I would first recommend for 
 beginners the method of fixing given in the illustrated instructions for 
 " mixed wings." By following it the fibres are made to sit on their side 
 
 H2 
 
100 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 edges, back to back, like the underwing-stiips as formerly explained. 
 The majority of strip wings, as many Anglers know, lie flat and spread 
 out from the head of the fly. These are the most popular and, in places, 
 seem to be ever present. Proof of this, proof that in the Spring months 
 they have comparatively no rest in the North, is furnished by familiar 
 experience on several rivers, notably the Dee, where, in truth, there are 
 two occasions on which they are used when fish are taking and when 
 they are not. However, the key to practical success lies in adjusting the 
 strips so as to keep them intact. The fibres should not split, and this 
 can only be prevented by drawing them together tightly and regularly 
 just at the point of tie. Of the two best methods for the business some 
 details are necessary. One method is by the aid of the vice, the other 
 without it. Peter Milne, at Garden's establishment, Aberdeen, is an 
 adept with the vice. After fixing the bend of the hook in it, he selects 
 both strips of such length that the point of tie comes close to the quill. 
 Having prepared them, so that no more than a mere suspicion of quill 
 remains to keep the fibres from separating, he holds the far side strip 
 alongside the hook, by placing the left thumb above and the forefinger 
 below, and then throws the tying silk over it close to the part so held. 
 With the right hand put under the fly, he catches hold of the silk and 
 brings it up gently to the near side of the work ; and before pulling it 
 towards him, looks to see that the coil is in its proper place, i.e., close to 
 the left fingers, and in a straight line over the work. The silk is now 
 pulled steadily, during which operation any shifting of the fibres is easily 
 detected. If the fibres are not coming one upon the other, evenly 
 towards each other, so that finally they shall represent a closed fan, the 
 beginner should stop pulling at once and try again. Two subsequent 
 turns of silk are now given and the waste of the strip cut off. The near 
 side strip is put on by a similar process, but the left finger in this instance 
 is placed above it and the thumb below, in an exactly reversed position. 
 
 George Blacklaws (Kincardine O'Neil) works by a method of my 
 own. It is recommended here because I have given up using the vice, 
 and believe the student will earlier succeed in getting strength and neat- 
 ness. However this may be, working without the vice calls for far more 
 skill in manipulation. Select, as in the former method, a feather suitable 
 
STRIP-WINGED FLIES. 101 
 
 for the size of hook. The fibres must be of such a length that when the 
 strip is severed from the feather (by means of cutting it along the centre 
 of the quill) the part tied shall be, as I 'have said, close to the quill. The 
 quill is trimmed in like manner as before, particularly the portion under- 
 neath. The silk is then set in, if necessary, and when the foundation is 
 made binding first loopwards and back to the throat hackle take the 
 far side strip, the longest fibres being outwards, in the left hand and 
 squeeze the fibres together at their roots by pinching the strip crossways 
 with the right hand thumb and finger nails at the quill end. The strip is 
 then taken at the pinched root, placed and held at the desired angle 
 against the upper part of the side of the hook, and with the left hand one 
 turn of tying silk is given from you and drawn tight, in order that the 
 fibres shall come as close to each other as possible. This is simple 
 enough to do, but when done, the chief thing is to keep the silk 
 taut while seizing it with the right hand. Now place the left thumb 
 above and fore-finger below the strip, close to the tie, give two more 
 turns with the right hand in the usual way and cut off waste. Make 
 off. By the same process prepare the near strip. Apply it to the 
 hook, noting that on this occasion the strip is placed somewhat flatter to 
 the side of the shank than the former one (the outer side of which was 
 slightly elevated) as the tying silk will draw up the lower fibres into their 
 proper position. With the left hand give one turn from you, holding the 
 silk taut as before, and then seize it with the right hand. Now grip the 
 wings sideways with the left hand, allowing the fingers to point a little 
 downwards, and give three turns with the right hand. Cut off waste and 
 finish. 
 
 But the Spey style of fly calls for more minute details. Take the 
 "Gold Eiach" for an example. One side of the Spey-cock hackle (which 
 is wound from its root along the body) is stripped of its fibres, leaving the 
 better side for use. If the tinsels are wound from you (a matter decided 
 according to which side the hackle is stripped), the hackle is brought over 
 them towards you, and vice versa. Along with the tinsels is fixed a 
 length of tying-silk for binding the hackle at intervals of, say, ^ of an 
 inch. This is done simply to protect the hackle from uncoiling if cut by 
 the tooth of a fish. Of necessity, the silk is worked in between the fibres 
 
102 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 which are separated with the stiletto. But it is in respect of the wings 
 that some knowledge and much practice is needed. Take two strips, 
 say, of Mallard, both from the same side of the feather ; place one over 
 and upon the other, so as to form one strip. Hold the fly in the left 
 fingers by its loop. Place the strips so arranged on their backs, that 
 their roots reach the throat hackle, with their points extending beyond 
 the loop. Bind them down, headwards, from the throat hackle to half 
 way along the space left for the wings. Now turn the fly round, and 
 holding it in the usual way, bend the strips back over the work and body, 
 pass the silk to the end of the shank, and with it make close coils, tail- 
 wards, up to and just on upon the bent part of the wings. The object is 
 to make the wings " sit up" in use. Put silk in CATCH ; divide the strips 
 into two equal parts, and work the silk first between them, and then 
 round, in and out, in a figure of eight fashion, and finish off with a double 
 half-hitch on the body side of them. Varnish. 
 
 No. 7. Topping winged flies (six toppings). Put on these feathers 
 in the following way. 
 
 Take two of equal length, indent, and tie them down together on the 
 far side with two turns of silk. Take two more of similar length, and 
 after unwinding one of the former turns, fix them in like manner on the 
 near side. Put on the final two feathers singly, one at the top of the 
 work on the far side, the other likewise on the near side. Give four 
 turns ; put silk in CATCH, now pull and coax with the left fingers into 
 order all the toppings together, while gently holding them close to the 
 head between the right thumb and fore-finger ; release silk ; shift left 
 thumb and fore-finger towards head, so as to hold the feathers close to 
 it. Unwind one or two turns of silk, and finally tie down and varnish. 
 
 No. 8 brings me to the final items in the count namely, chenille, etc. 
 
 But before entering into details, I would remind novices at this work 
 that it is easier for an entirely uninstructed man to acquire a correct 
 method, than a misinstructed one, who has to shed bad habits and un- 
 learn. Perseverance is required, too, in order to quite master the 
 subordinate branches of fly making " doubling hackles," " getting the 
 fingers under control," "marrying strips of feathers," etc. The student 
 should not over-burden his mind with " too much at once " ; he should 
 
INITIATION IN FLY-MAKING. 103 
 
 learn to think, not what others think, but to think for himself. For 
 whilst the memory is loaded, the understanding remains unexercised, or 
 exercised in such trammels as constrain its motions and direct its pace. 
 
 The icisest course in fly making is not to dawdle in premature 
 attempts with silk bodies, bodies of Seal's fur, or of silver tinsel ; or even 
 with " built," "mixed," or other forms of wings. The business is far more 
 comprehensible and memorable when the entire attention is devoted to 
 Grubs, until the student at least perfects himself in hackling, in " tags " 
 and " tails," and in the manipulation of chenilles, together with their 
 accompaniments as, for instance, Jungle for cheeks of Grubs. 
 
 My object in not mentioning this matter before is obvious, and is 
 vindicated by the fact of not having to travel twice over the same ground 
 of instruction. The student is, for example, familiar with the working of 
 hackles, tags, and tails ; but of chenille, I have a few words to say. 
 
 Suppose, then, we have lying before us a " Jungle Hornet " fly (in 
 course of preparation), showing the tying-silk made off after the butt 
 hackle has been so tied down that the " interval " on the shank of the 
 hook is partially filled in ; how is the fly to be completed ? 
 
 Select first, three pair of Jungle. Choose for " cheeking " the butt 
 hackle the two smallest, and prepare them by stripping the fibres on each 
 side of the stem up to the black and white spots. Fix them. This is 
 best done by holding the hook in the right hand, whilst the left fingers 
 encompass and draw the fibres of the hackle over and beyond the tag, 
 where they are held with the hook, out of the way of the work. 
 
 Take the Jungle feather by the root, place it in the desired position 
 on the near side ; rai ;e the left thumb so as to grasp the feather whilst 
 one turn of the tying-silk is given, which is now put in CATCH. Fix the 
 far side cheek in a similar manner, and cut off the waste ends at a point 
 that they fit the " interval " on the shank of the hook. Release silk, give 
 two more temporary turns of it, and make off. 
 
 Having cut off two six-inch lengths of yellow and black chenille for 
 the body, remove the fluff at one end of each for, say, one quarter of an 
 inch to expose the core, by snipping off small portions with the right 
 finger nails. Release silk, and put it in CATCH after carefully unwinding 
 the two temporary turns. Put the exposed core of the yellow chenille on 
 
104 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 the far side, and give two turns of tying-silk over it. The next turn of 
 the tying-silk binds down the black length alongside the yellow. CATCH 
 silk again, cut off the waste ends of chenille, so as to fit interval, and tie 
 all down permanently in close turns. Make off. The levelling of the 
 " interval " is now complete. Coil chenilles alternately, and give two 
 turns of each one at a time. To do this, take first the yellow piece in the 
 right hand, whilst the left fore-finger -and thumb grasp, as before, the 
 fibres (and cheeks) out of the way ; put it once over the shank, and into 
 CATCH. Eepeat this. Put STOP on second coil, but pass CATCH fingers 
 behind black chenille, and urge it with the little finger into the back- 
 ground, tailwards. Maintain STOP ; seize black chemlle on the left side 
 of the yellow, and pass it over the shank (binding down yellow with this 
 first coil), and into CATCH. Make second coil. Holding black in CATCH, 
 work yellow again, using CATCH and STOP, as before. 
 
 By this process, continue forming the body until the place on the 
 shank is reached for the second or centre hackle of the Grub. 
 
 Eelease tying-silk from Make off, and while using STOP on both 
 chenilles, tie them down with two turns, and put silk in CATCH. Tie in 
 centre hackle, binding ends of chenilles as you proceed ; coil it, fix it, 
 and add cheeks as before. The number of coils from first to last depend 
 upon the amount of hackle wanted, either for a light or a heavy Grub ; 
 but one coil more is given to the second hackle, and two or three more 
 to the one at the head, which is longest in fibre. 
 
 In preparing the hackles, do not take off too many fibres at the butt 
 end, for these are easily removed after sufficient coils are made. For the 
 purpose of removal, fix tweezers to the butt end of the hackle, and put 
 them into CATCH. With the point of the stiletto pushed in between the 
 fibres from the far side, urge a small number of them down with it on to 
 the ball of the right thumb, and while squeezing them there with the 
 stiletto, a gentle but sudden down-stroke of the hand will snip off 
 superfluous material. 
 
 In binding down cheeks and head hackle loopwards, cut off all waste 
 ends when four turns have been given ; and, on reaching end of shank 
 work the tying silk back over the former turns firmly and closely, and 
 finally tie with a half-hitch. To make a half-hitch extend the left third 
 
THE NECESSITY OF CONSTANT PRACTICE. 105 
 
 finger, and form the required loop by putting the tying-silk under and 
 round it ; the loop itself is then taken, passed over head and pulled 
 towards you into position. When there, the half-hitch is made by 
 using STOP while the silk is tightened. Varnish head. I have only 
 to add that in fly making, as in any art, we frequently see that a 
 novelty in system or in practice is too much for the student, and 
 cannot be duly appreciated till time has sobered the enthusiasm of 
 its advocates. But is not success sooner reached, in any undertaking, 
 by practising that system which, intelligently followed, never brings 
 for the student the necessity to unlearn ? Increasing practice will 
 assuredly result, not only in increasing respect for our system, but 
 also that measure of excellence, which, at least, will suffice for all 
 practical purposes. Obedience, then a virtue to be caressed in 
 acquiring skill in fly making is good and indispensable here. The 
 student will soon engage himself upon Instruction Fly No. 1, and make 
 it again and again, until, being disciplined by experience, as in the case 
 of Grubs, he becomes so familiar with every detail that, without reference 
 to these particulars, he proceeds precisely in the manner described. 
 
106 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 CHAPTEE IV. 
 
 A LIST OF ABOUT 300 STANDARD FLIES WITH THEIR DRESSINGS 
 
 (ALPHABETICALLY ARRANGED). 
 EXORDIUM. 
 
 SILK. Is intended for floss silk unless otherwise stated. 
 
 HEEL. For Ostrich herl unless otherwise stated. 
 
 WOOL. For Berlin wool. 
 
 MALLARD. For the brown mottled feather unless otherwise stated ; and 
 when mentioned at the end of the list in company with, or in the 
 absence of, a topping, a right and left strip form the cap of the 
 wing. As a general rule, materials for the wing come upon the 
 hook in the same order as set forth in these descriptions. But 
 married strips of dyed feathers as, for instance, yellow, red, and 
 blue Swan, are sometimes built in the wing and sometimes on 
 the wing ; whilst similar strips of natural feathers as, say, Ibis, 
 Teal, and powdered blue Macaw, invariably serve as " sides," in 
 which case they are put on the wing immediately before 
 " cheeks," toppings, and horns. 
 
 TIPPET. Is from the neck of the Golden Pheasant unless otherwise 
 stated. 
 
 TOPPING. Is the crest feather of the Golden Pheasant. 
 
 PARROT. Is green unless otherwise stated. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 107 
 
 TINSEL. Is flat silver or gold tinsel unless otherwise stated. 
 G. S. General Standard. 
 S. S. Special Standard. 
 
 THE ABINGER. G.S. 
 
 (KELSOX.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk; 
 TAIL. A topping and Teal. 
 BODY. Yellow, light claret, blue and black Seal's fur respectively, in 
 
 equal parts. 
 
 KIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 
 HACKLE. Natural black hackle, from claret fur. 
 THROAT. Jay. 
 
 WINGS. Tippet and Gallina in strands, Teal, Mallard, and a topping. 
 HORNS. Amherst Pheasant. 
 
 This old " standard " was the late Lord Abinger's favourite pattern on 
 
 the Lochy. 
 
 AKROYD. G.S. 
 
 (GEORGE BLACKLAWS.) 
 TAG. Gold twist. 
 
 TAIL. A topping and tippet strands. 
 BODY. The first half of yellow Seal's fur, having a yellow hackle along 
 
 it ; followed by black Seal's fur, and a black hackle along it. 
 EIBS. Gold tinsel. 
 THROAT. Black Heron. 
 
 WINGS. Two strips of cinnamon Turkey showing light points. 
 SIDES. Jungle (short and drooping). 
 
 An excellent Dee pattern. For early fishing in snow water this fly 
 is often dressed with double white wings ; the first pair (strips) at centre 
 of body, the others at head. This variation has proved of much service 
 
 
108 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 on many rivers, and was introduced some years since by Garden, of 
 Aberdeen. 
 
 ALLAN'S FANCY. G.S. 
 
 (MAJOR " GLEN "-GRANT.) 
 TAG. Gold twist and yellow silk. 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 
 BODY. Three turns dark yellow silk, followed by majenta silk (short). 
 EIBS. Gold tinsel (double, oval). 
 
 HACKLE. A natural red Cock's hackle from majenta silk. 
 THROAT. Jay. 
 WINGS. Tippet strands, light mottled Turkey, Golden Pheasant tail, 
 
 Mallard, and a topping. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 THE AUTUMN CREEPER G.S. 
 
 (Grub.) (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Gold tinsel and yellow silk. 
 
 BUTT. (Or No. 1 Hackle) Bed Macaw hackle, cheeked on each side with 
 
 Chatterer. 
 
 BODY. Black chenille. 
 
 CENTRE HACKLE. Yellow Macaw, cheeked with Chatterer. 
 HEAD HACKLE. Vulturine Guineafowl (a natural blue) and black Heron, 
 
 cheeked as before. 
 
 A successful Grub in September and October. 
 
 THE BADGER. G.S. 
 
 (W. GARDEN.) 
 TAG. Silver twist. 
 TAIL. A topping and tippet strands. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 109 
 
 BODY. Crimson Seal's fur. 
 
 BIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 
 THROAT. A natural silver furnace hackle. 
 
 WINGS. Two strips of light, mottled Turkey. 
 
 This summer pattern, used on the Dee, is dressed on very small double 
 
 hooks. 
 
 THE BAKER. G.S. 
 
 (JEWHURST.) 
 
 TAG. Gold twist and light blue silk. 
 
 TAIL. A topping and Gallina. 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Yellow silk, light orange, blue and dark claret Seal's fur, equally 
 divided. 
 
 BIBS. Gold tinsel. 
 
 HACKLE. Dark claret from second turn. 
 
 THROAT. Gallina and light blue hackle. 
 
 WINGS. Two tippets (back to back) veiled with Golden Pheasant tail, 
 light Bustard, Grey Mallard, Peacock wing, Swan dyed light 
 blue, yellow, and dark claret ; and Mallard above. 
 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 
 One of the oldest standards, and a favourite on most rivers. 
 
 BALMORAL. G.S. 
 
 (GARDEN.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist. 
 TAIL. A topping and tippet strands. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Green and dark blue Seal's fur, equally divided. 
 KIBS. Silver lace and silver tinsel. 
 HACKLE. Black Heron from green fur. 
 
110 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 THROAT. Widgeon. 
 
 WINGS. Two strips of plain cinnamon Turkey. 
 
 SIDES. Jungle (short and drooping). 
 
 A favourite Dee fly. 
 
 THE BARKWORTH. G.S. 
 
 (W. T. BARKWORTH.) 
 
 TAG. Gold twist and dark orange silk. 
 
 TAIL. A topping. Summer Duck, and Toucan from under-tail. 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. In two equal sections: No. 1, straw-coloured silk, ribbed with 
 gold tinsel (oval, fine) ; butted with Toucan (orange) above and 
 below, and black her! : No. 2, dark orange silk, having a dark 
 orange hackle along it, and ribbed with gold tinsel. 
 
 THROAT. Gallina, dyed blue. (Jay for small patterns.) 
 
 WINGS. Two tippets (back to back) light mottled Turkey, dyed dark 
 orange, two strips of blue Macaw, Swan dyed straw-colour, 
 Golden Pheasant tail and two toppings. 
 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 
 CHEEKS. Chatterer. 
 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 " Use this fly in dark coloured water," writes a friend of mine, " and 
 you will not regret it. The inventor himself succeeds with it on the 
 Wye when the water is positively muddy." 
 
 THE BARON. G.S. 
 
 (FAKLOW.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and dark red-claret silk. 
 TAIL. Topping. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 BODY. In two sections. The first half with silver tinsel (flat) ribbed 
 
THE SALMON FLY. Ill 
 
 with silver tinsel (oval) and butted with Indian Crow (extending 
 to tag) and black herl. The second half with black silk, ribs of 
 silver tinsel (oval), having a dark red-claret hackle along it. 
 
 THROAT. Jay. 
 
 WINGS. Tippet strands, Swan, dyed yellow, Summer Duck, blue and red 
 Macaw, Golden Pheasant tail, Peacock wing, Mallard above and 
 a topping. 
 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 
 CHEEKS. Chatterer. 
 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 An excellent fly in Norway as well as on the Shannon, Blackwater, 
 Earn, Test, and Usk. The Baron is a fly I am very fond of and, with it, 
 Sir Hyde Parker killed his memorable 60 Ibs. Salmon. 
 
 BEACONSFIELD. G.S. 
 
 (GEORGE BLACKLAWS.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk. 
 
 TAIL. A topping, Teal, and Ibis. 
 
 BUTT. Black herl, followed by two turns silver tinsel. 
 
 BODY. In three equal sections ; the first two, doubly butted ; thus No. 1 
 of yellow silk with a yellow mane (mohair), black herl, and two 
 turns of silver tinsel. No. '2, red-orange silk ; a red-orange 
 mane (mohair), black herl and two turns of silver tinsel. No. 3, 
 claret silk. 
 
 THROAT. Light blue hackle. 
 
 WINGS. Two tippets (back to back) veiled with Golden Pheasant tail, 
 light and dark mottled Turkey, Bustard, Teal, Swan dyed 
 yellow, red, and light blue ; Mallard and a topping. 
 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 A very useful, showy fly, well known on the Test ; but it seems to have 
 
 been forgotten on the Dee. 
 
112 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 BENCHILL. G.S. 
 
 (MALLOCH.) 
 
 TAG. Silver tinsel and red-claret silk. 
 
 TAIL. A topping and scarlet Ibis. 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Dark yellow, light orange, red-claret, and light blue Seal's fur in 
 equal portions. 
 
 EIBS. Silver tinsel. 
 
 HACKLE. Light blue, from red-claret fur. 
 
 WINGS. Two tippets (back to back) extending only to end of dark yellow 
 fur, veiled with light mottled Turkey, Swan dyed yellow and red, 
 Bustard, Golden Pheasant tail, Teal, Mallard and a topping. 
 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 
 This is a special favourite of mine ; and I consider it as the best 
 pattern on the Earn. I have also used it with much success on the Tweed, 
 Spey, Lochy and Blackwater, Co. Cork. When dressed thin in body and 
 wings, Benchill used in Summer is an excellent Dee pattern. 
 
 BERESFORD'S FANCY. G.S. 
 
 (R. H. BEEESFORD.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and claret-majenta silk. 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 
 BODY. Blue and orange silks, in equal divisions. 
 EIBS. Silver tinsel (oval, fine). 
 HACKLE. A natural black hackle from second turn. 
 THKOAT. Claret-majenta hackle and Jay. 
 WINGS. Tippet (strands) Bustard, Swan dyed claret-majenta, blue and 
 
 orange ; and Mallard. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 According to an account given by the inventor, this is one of the 
 best spring flies on the Leuarn ; it is known also by the name of "The 
 half blue-and-orange." 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 113 
 
 BERRINGTON'S FAVOURITE. G.S. 
 
 (A. D. BERRINGTON.) 
 TAG. Silver twist and scarlet silk. 
 TAIL. Ibis, and point of Jungle. 
 
 BODY. Two turns of scarlet Seal's fur, followed by dark orange Seal's fur. 
 EIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 THROAT. A dark coch-a-bonddu. 
 WINGS. Two strips of dark mottled Turkey over an underwing of light 
 
 mottled Turkey. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 
 A general favourite on the Usk. 
 
 THE BLACK AND GOLD. G.S. 
 
 (O'FEE.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist Gold floss. 
 
 TAIL. A topping and Indian Crow. 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. In two equal sections : No. 1, Gold tinsel, ribbed with silver tinsel 
 
 (oval) having Indian Crow above and below and butted with 
 
 black herl. No. 2, Black silk, ribbed with silver tinsel, and a 
 
 gold hackle from second turn. 
 THROAT. A claret hackle and Jay. 
 WlNGS. Dark Turkey having white points, Bustard, Eed Macaw, light 
 
 mottled Turkey, Mallard, Swan dyed red and blue, and two 
 
 toppings. 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 CHEEKS. Chatterer. 
 HEAD. Black wool. 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and violet silk. 
 TAIL. Toucan and Indian Crow. 
 
 BLACK AND ORANGE. G.S. 
 
 (ENKIGHT.) 
 
114 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 BODY. Orange and black silk, in equal divisions. 
 
 EIBS. Silver tinsel. 
 
 HACKLE. Jay, from centre. 
 
 WINGS. Light and dark Bustard, Gallina, yellow and blue Macaw, Ibis, 
 
 Parrot, and a topping. 
 CHEEKS'. Indian Crow. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 THE BLACK CREEPER. G.S. 
 
 (Grub.) (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and light blue silk. 
 TAIL. Ibis, and powdered blue Macaw mixed in strands. 
 BUTT. No. 1 hackle natural black ; cheeked with Chatterer. 
 BODY. Black chenille, 
 
 No. 2 hackle, in centre of body and cheeked as before, 
 
 No. 3 hackle, a still larger natural black, and cheeked as before. 
 
 Earn and Usk, and upper waters of the Beauly. 
 
 THE BLACK DOCTOR. G.S. 
 
 (WRIGHT.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk. 
 
 TAIL. A topping and Chatterer. 
 
 BUTT. Scarlet Berlin wool. 
 
 BODY. Black silk. 
 
 EIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 
 HACKLE. Blue hackle from second turn. 
 
 THROAT. Jay. 
 
 WINGS. Tippet in strands ; Pintail, dark mottled Turkey, Swan dyed blue 
 
 and yellow, Eed Macaw, Gallina, Golden Pheasant tail, Mallard 
 
 and a topping. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 115 
 
 CHEEKS. Chatterer. 
 HEAD. Scarlet Berlin wool. 
 
 An old and general favourite. 
 
 THE BLACK DOG. G.S. 
 
 (G. KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and canary silk. 
 TAIL. A topping and Ibis. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 BODY. Black silk. 
 
 Ems. Yellow silk, and silver tinsel (oval) running on each side of it. 
 HACKLE. Black Heron from third yellow rib. 
 WINGS. Two red-orange hackles (back to back) enveloped by two Jungle ; 
 
 unbarred Summer Duck, light Bustard, Amherst Pheasant, Swan 
 
 dyed scarlet and yellow and two toppings. 
 
 An old standard of my Father's, and a useful high water fly very good 
 
 on the Spey, Wye, etc. 
 
 BLACK DOSE. G.S. 
 
 (G. KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and light orange silk. 
 TAIL. A topping, Teal and Ibis. 
 
 BODY. Three turns light blue Seal's fur, followed by black Seal's fur. 
 BIBS. Silver tinsel. 
 
 HACKLE. Natural black, from blue Seal's fur. 
 THROAT. Light plum-claret hackle. 
 WINGS. Two tippets (back to back) veiled with Teal, light mottled Turkey, 
 
 Golden Pheasant tail, unbarred Summer D.uck, Peacock hcrl, 
 
 Ibis, green Parrot, and Mallard. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 One of the original standards invented and introduced into use by 
 
 Bernard for my Father. 
 
 i2 
 
110 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 THE BLACK GOLDFINCH. G.S. 
 
 ( 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and red-orange silk. 
 
 TAIL. Toucan and Indian Crow. 
 
 BODY. Black silk. 
 
 EIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 
 HACKLE. Jay, from centre. 
 
 WINGS. Two Indian Crow (back to back) and three toppings. 
 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 
 CHEEKS. Chatterer. 
 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 
 
 A well-known Irish pattern. 
 
 THE BLACK JAY. G.S. 
 
 (KELSON. } 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and dark yellow silk. 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Two turns black silk, followed by black Seal's fur. 
 EIBS. Silver tinsel, and silver lace (large sizes). 
 HACKLE. Natural black, from silk. 
 THROAT. Jay. 
 WINGS. Tippet, Ibis and Gallina in strands ; Bustard, Golden Pheasant 
 
 tail, Teal, black Cockatoo's tail, Swan dyed green and dark 
 
 yellow ; and Mallard. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 Introduced for me by Farlow many years since. 
 
 THE BLACK KING. G.S. 
 
 BODY. Orange Berlin wool (three turns) followed by black wool (short). 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 117 
 
 BIBS. From far side gold tinsel (narrow), from near side silver tinsel 
 
 (same size) both wound the reverse way, an equal distance 
 
 apart. 
 HACKLE. From end of body, a black Spey-cock hackle, but wound from 
 
 the root instead of from the point, in the usual direction, thus 
 
 crossing over the ribs at each turn given. 
 THROAT. Teal, one turn only. 
 WINGS. Two strips of light brown mottled Mallard. 
 
 SPECIAL NOTE. This is one of the old standard flies on the Spey. For 
 full particulars see the " Green King." 
 
 THE BLACK PRESTCE. S.S. 
 
 (TRAHERNE.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and dark yellow silk. 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 BODY. Three equal sections of silver tinsel (flat) butted above and below, 
 
 with two black feathers (back to back)' from the nape of the 
 
 Indian Crow, and black herl. 
 WINGS. Five or six toppings. 
 HOENS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 This is generally used as an " Exaggeration." 
 
 THE BLACK RANGER. G.S 
 
 (WRIGHT.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk. 
 TAIL. Topping and Indian Crow. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 BODY. Black silk. 
 BIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 
118 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 HACKLE. Natural black, from second turn of tinsel. 
 
 THROAT. Light blue hackle. 
 
 WINGS. Four tippets, partly overlapping and enveloping two projecting 
 
 Jungle (back to back) and a topping. 
 CHEEKS. Chatterer. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black wool. 
 
 This fly is well known throughout the United Kingdom. 
 
 THE BLUE BARON. 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and claret silk. 
 
 TAIL. A topping and Chatterer. 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY In two sections (1) Oval Tinsel, butted with Toucan above and 
 
 beiow, and black herl ; ( 4 2) blue silk having a blue hackle along it. 
 THROAT Teal. 
 WINGS Golden Pheasant tippet and tail in strands, Swan dyed blue and 
 
 claret, Mallard and a topping. 
 SIDES Jungle. 
 
 BLUEBELL. S.S. 
 
 (TRAHERNE.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and dark orange silk. 
 TAIL. Topping. 
 BUTT. Black herl 
 BODY. Blue silk. 
 EIBS. Silver tinsel and silver lace. 
 HACKLE. Powdered blue Macaw (one side stripped). 
 THROAT. Yellow Macaw. 
 
 WINGS. Red Macaw in strands and two toppings. 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 119 
 
 HOBNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 Fishing in 1886 at Stanley-on-Tweed, the author of Bluebell wrote : 
 " For the last three days the fish would look at nothing, but I tried a 
 Bluebell last night and have had rare fun with it to-day, killing three fish 
 in one pool, the largest 28 Ibs. . . ." 
 
 THE BLUE BOYNE. G.S. 
 
 (TRAHERNE.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist. 
 
 TAIL. Two Indian Crow (back to back). 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Silver tinsel (.oval, the finest), intersected by four sets of Chatterer 
 above and below at equal distances apart. 1st set at one-fourth 
 of space between butt and head : 3rd set forming throat. 
 
 WINGS. Two strips of yellow Macaw and two toppings. 
 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 One of the best low water flies in summer. The hook should be no more 
 than f inch in length ; smaller patterns are also very effective. 
 
 THE BLUE CHARM. G.S. 
 
 (W. BROWN.) 
 TAG. Silver twist. 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 BODY. Claret silk. 
 EIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 THROAT. Blue hackle. 
 WINGS. Broad strips of Mallard, two narrow strips of Teal above and a 
 
 topping. 
 HEAD. Black wool. 
 
 A good summer fly used chiefly on the Dee, and dressed on small double 
 
 hooks. 
 
120 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 THE BLUE DOCTOR. G.S. 
 
 (WRIGHT.) 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk. 
 
 TAIL. A topping and Chatterer. 
 
 BUTT. Scarlet Berlin wool. 
 
 BODY. Light blue silk. 
 
 RIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 
 HACKLE. Light blue hackle from second turn. 
 
 THEOAT. Jay. 
 
 WINGS. Tippet in strands, Gallina, Golden Pheasant tail, light mottled 
 
 Turkey, Pintail, Swan dyed yellow and light blue, Ibis, Mallard, 
 
 and a topping. 
 HOENS. Blue Macaw. 
 CHEEKS. Chatterer. 
 HEAD. Scarlet Berlin wool. 
 
 One of the early fancy patterns on the Tweed and well known on all 
 
 rivers. 
 
 THE BLUE GOLDFINCH. G.S. 
 
 (ENIUGHT.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and red-orange silk. 
 
 TAIL. Toucan and Indian Crow. 
 
 BODY. Light blue silk. 
 
 KIBS. Silver tinsel. 
 
 HACKLE. Jay from centre. 
 
 WINGS. Two Indian Crow (back to back, long) and four toppings. 
 
 HOENS. Powdered blue Macaw. 
 
 CHEEKS. Indian Crow. 
 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 THE BLUE-OVER-BLACK. G.S. 
 
 (Colonel KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and pink silk. 
 
 TAIL. Red Toucan (from undertail), yellow Macaw, powdered blue 
 Macaw, and Gallina, in strands. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 121 
 
 BODY. Two turns scarlet silk and black Seal's fur. 
 
 EIBS. Silver tinsel and silver lace. 
 
 HACKLE. A white coch-a-bonddu dyed dark blue, from second turn. 
 
 WINGS. Two strips Turkey showing white tips, Golden Pheasant tail 
 
 and Peacock herl mixed together in strands, and Mallard. 
 SIDES. Teal. 
 
 This fly, now known by the above name, was invented in the 
 " forties " for the Usk. It is a capital fly in dirty water, and was 
 originally called "William Bass" after a bass singer and chimney sweeper 
 residing then at Sevenoaks. 
 
 THE BLUE PALMER. G.S. 
 
 (HARDY BROS.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and dark blue silk. 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 BODY. Dark blue silk. 
 EIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 HACKLE. Light red-claret from second turn. 
 THROAT. Jay. 
 WINGS. Tippet strands, dark Turkey, Bustard, Golden Pheasant tail ; 
 
 married strips of Swan dyed yellow, red, and blue ; and two 
 
 strips of Mallard above. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 An excellent Irish pattern ; and, when lightly dressed and used in 
 summer, kills well on the Dee. 
 
 THE BLUE WASP. G.S. 
 
 TAIL. A topping, Summer Duck, and Ibis. 
 
 BODY. Equal divisions of yellow and blue Seal's fur. 
 
122 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 KIBS. Silver tinsel (oval, fine) over yellow, and silver tinsel (flat and 
 
 larger) over blue. 
 
 HACKLE. A blue hackle along blue fur. 
 THROAT. Jay. 
 WINGS. Two strips of cinnamon Turkey having white points, and a 
 
 topping. 
 
 SIDES. Summer Duck. 
 HEAD. Black wool. 
 
 One of the most popular patterns on the Earn. 
 
 BO PEEP. S.S. 
 
 (KELSOX.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist (plenty). 
 
 TAIL. Toucan (three) and two small Chatterer (back to back). 
 BUTT. -Black herl. 
 BODY. In three equal sections of silver tinsel (oval, the finest) : No. 1, 
 
 butted with Toucan above and below, followed by black herl. 
 
 No. 2, butted with Indian Crow above and below, followed by 
 
 black herl. 
 THROAT (or No. 3 section) Double Chatterer feathers (back to back) on 
 
 off and on near side. 
 
 WINGS. Ibis and red Macaw in fibres, and three toppings. 
 HORNS. Amherst Pheasant. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 A very good fly in hot weather when the fish are sulky and settled down 
 in small streamy Catches. It should be dressed thinly and very small. 
 
 BONNE BOUCHE. G.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Gold twist and yellow silk. 
 TAIL. A topping and Gallina. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 123 
 
 BUTT. Ked wool. 
 
 BODY. One third yellow Seal's fur then claret Seal's fur. 
 
 RIBS. Gold tinsel and silver lace. 
 
 HACKLE. Claret hackle from yellow fur. 
 
 THROAT. Gallina. 
 
 WINGS. Tippet, Teal, and Peacock wing for underwing ; Amherst 
 
 Pheasant, Golden Pheasant tail, Bustard, Swan dyed yellow and 
 
 claret ; and Mallard. 
 SIDES. Married strips of Teal and Ibis. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Eed wood. 
 
 A good fly on the Earn, Usk, and many Irish waters ; also from the 
 middle of May, on the Spey. 
 
 BRITANNIA. G.S. 
 
 (BERNARD.) 
 
 TAG. Gold twist (plenty). 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 BODY. Eed-orange Seal's fur. 
 EIBS. Gold tinsel. 
 WINGS. Shovel duck and a topping. 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 CHEEKS. Chatterer. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Dark blue hackle. 
 
 Excellent Wye pattern and an old standard on the Thurso. 
 
 THE BROWN DOG. G.S. 
 
 (D. WATSON.) 
 
 TAG. Gold twist and gold silk. 
 TAIL. A topping and Indian Crow. 
 
124 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Dirty orange and brown Seal's fur, in equal divisions. 
 
 KIBS. Gold tinsel (oval). 
 
 THROAT. Grouse. 
 
 WINGS. Golden Pheasant tippet in strands ; Teal, Swan dyed yellow, 
 
 red, and light blue ; and a topping. 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 HEAD. Black wool. 
 
 One of the best flies on the Ness. To be had of the inventor, 19, Inglis 
 
 Street, Inverness. 
 
 THE BRUCE. G.S. 
 
 (Colonel BRUCE.) 
 TAG. Silver twist (plenty). 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 BODY. Silver tinsel. 
 BIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 HACKLE. Claret hackle, from second turn. 
 THROAT. Gallina. 
 
 WINGS. Silver mottled Turkey, and Golden Pheasant Tail. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black wool. 
 
 The Bruce kills well on the Test. 
 
 BUMBEE. G.S. 
 
 (W. GARDEN.) 
 TAG. Silver twist. 
 TAIL. A tuft of orange wool (short). 
 BODY. One-third orange wool, followed by black Seal's fur. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 125 
 
 EIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 THROAT. A coch-a-bonddu hackle. 
 WINGS. Mallard. 
 
 A good fly in summer on the Dee ; it is usually dressed on small double 
 
 hooks. 
 
 THE BUTCHER. G.S. 
 
 (JEWHURST.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk. 
 
 TAIL. Topping, Teal, and powdered blue Macaw. 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. In four equal divisions of Seal's fur, viz. : light red-claret and 
 light blue, dark red-claret and dark blue respectively. 
 
 RIBS. Silver tinsel (preceded on large hooks by silver lace). 
 
 HACKLE. A natural black, from light red-claret Seal's fur. 
 
 THROAT. A yellow hackle and Gallina. 
 
 WINGS. A tippet, and breast feather of the Golden Pheasant (back to- 
 back) veiled with Teal, Golden Pheasant tail, Gallina, Bustard, 
 and Peacock wing ; strands of Parrot and Swan dyed yellow ;: 
 and Mallard. 
 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 
 CHEEKS. Chatterer. 
 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 This old standard is used everywhere. For my own work I always add a 
 
 topping to the wing. 
 
 BUTTERSCOTCH. S.S. 
 
 (KELSON.). 
 TAG. Silver twist and violet silk. 
 
 (Gold twist and gold ribs in Autumn). 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 
12(5 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 BUTT. Scarlet wool. 
 
 BODY. Black silk. 
 
 EIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 
 HACKLE. Black hackle from second turn. 
 
 THROAT. Jay. 
 
 WINGS. Two strips of plain cinnamon Turkey. 
 
 A useful bright-water pattern for rivers that are fished with dark flies in 
 
 bright weather. 
 
 THE BYREL. G.S. 
 
 (WRIGHT.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk. 
 TAIL. A topping, Ibis, and powdered blue Macaw. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 BODY. Silver tinsel. 
 EIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 HACKLE. Light blue hackle from second turn. 
 THROAT. Light orange hackle and Widgeon. 
 WINGS. Two extended Jungle (back to back) veiled with Widgeon, 
 
 Gallina, Bustard, Peacock herl (fine, small quantity), Ibis, Parrot, 
 
 Mallard, and a topping. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 CHEEKS. Chatterer. 
 
 In many places this fly has a better reputation than either the " Silver 
 
 Doctor" or the "Lion." 
 
 CAMPBELL. G.S. 
 
 (D.vviD MURRAY.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk. 
 TAIL. A topping and Chatterer. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 127 
 
 BODY. In two equal sections : No. 1, Silver tinsel, ribbed with silver 
 
 tinsel (oval, fine) and butted with black herl. No. 2, light claret 
 
 Seal's fur, ribbed with silver tinsel (oval). 
 HACKLE. A yellow hackle from centre. 
 WINGS. Two strips of cinnamon Turkey (plain), narrow strips of Swan 
 
 dyed red, yellow, and light blue, married ; Bustard, Golden 
 
 Pheasant tail, Teal, and a topping. 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 
 One of the best patterns on the South Esk. 
 
 THE CANDLESTICK MAKER. G.S. 
 
 (HOLBROW.) 
 
 TAG. Silver tinsel (oval, fine). 
 
 TAIL. Ibis and Summer duck. 
 
 BODY. Three turns of black silk followed by black Seal's fur. 
 
 KIBS. Silver tinsel. 
 
 HACKLE. A dark fiery-brown, from Seal's fur. 
 
 WINGS. Double Jungle and two toppings. 
 
 HEAD. Black wool. 
 
 THE CAPTAIN. G.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and light blue silk. 
 TAIL. A topping and Chatterer. 
 BODY. The first half formed of two turns of light orange silk. Two 
 
 turns of dark orange Seal's fur, two turns of dark red-claret 
 
 Seal's fur ; followed by dark blue Seal's fur. 
 Ems. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 HACKLE. A white coch-a-bonddu, dyed light red-claret, from orange 
 
 silk. 
 THROAT. A blue hackle and Gallina. 
 
126 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 WINGS. Teal, Pintail, Gallina, Peacock wing, Anaherst and Golden 
 Pheasant tail, in strands ; Swan dyed light and dark orange, 
 claret, and dark blue. Mallard and a topping. 
 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 
 HOKNS. Blue Macaw. 
 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 Originally introduced into Scotland by Bernard, where it is erroneously 
 
 called the Poynder. 
 
 CAPTAIN WALTON. .. G.S. 
 
 (KELSON.} 
 
 TAG. Silver twist, cream silk, and crimson silk. 
 TAIL. Ibis, powdered blue Macaw, tippet, and Peacock wing, in strands ; 
 
 with two (shorter) narrow strips of Summer Duck. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 BODY. Claret silk (two turns), dark blue Seal's fur, and black Seal's fur, 
 
 in equal divisions. 
 
 HACKLE. Black Heron from blue Seal's fur. 
 THROAT. Gallina. 
 EIBS. Silver tinsel and silver twist. 
 WINGS. Peacock wing dyed claret, powdered blue Macaw, red Macaw,. 
 
 and Teal, in strands ; Golden Pheasant Tail, Gallina, Mallard, 
 
 and a topping. 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 CHEEKS. Indian Crow. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 Used with success on the Dee, Spey, Lochy, Garry, Blackwater, and 
 
 Beauly. 
 
 CARNEGIE. G.S. 
 
 (DAVID MURRAY.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and scarlet silk. 
 TAIL. A topping and Summer Duck. 
 
Plate 3. 
 
 THE DIRTY ORANGE 
 
 BENCH1LL 
 
 THE DAWSON 
 
 TAITE'S FANCY 
 
 lilt. DURHAM RANGER 
 
 THE WILSON 
 
 >**. *.', / 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 129 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. In two equal sections : No. 1, yellow silk, ribbed with silver 
 tinsel, butted with Indian Crow above and below, and black 
 herl. No. 2, light blue silk, ribbed with silver tinsel (oval). 
 
 HACKLE. A yellow hackle from centre. 
 
 WINGS. Tippet fibres, Swan dyed yellow and red, Golden Pheasant tail, 
 powdered blue Macaw, Summer Duck, and a topping. 
 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 
 HEAD. Scarlet wool. 
 
 A popular fly on South Esk. For personal use I make the butt with 
 
 scarlet wool. 
 
 THE CARRON FLY. G.S. 
 
 BODY. Orange Berlin wool (short). 
 
 RIBS. Silver tinsel (ordinary method). 
 
 HACKLE. Black Heron from end of body (ordinary method). 
 
 WINGS. Mallard showing brown points and light roots. 
 
 An old standard Spey fly. 
 
 THE CHALMERS. G.S. 
 
 (DAVID MURRAY.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk. 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 BODY. Majenta silk. 
 RIBS. Silver tinsel, sufficient turns to ensure an equal width of silver 
 
 and body silk alternately. 
 THROAT. Majenta hackle. 
 
 WINGS. Two strips of dark mottled Turkey showing white tips, and a 
 topping. 
 
 K 
 
130 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 
 HEAD. Two turns of majenta hackle. 
 
 A favourite pattern on North Esk. 
 
 THE CHAMPION. G.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and light yellow silk. 
 
 TAIL. Topping, unbarred Summer Duck ; Swan dyed light crimson and 
 light blue. 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Two turns of light blue silk, and equal quantities of dark yellow, 
 crimson, dark blue, and black Seal's fur. 
 
 KIBS. Silver lace and silver tinsel. 
 
 HACKLE. Natural black from Seal's fur. 
 
 THROAT. Jay. 
 
 WINGS.- Two Summer Duck strips (back to back) partially veiled at bottom 
 with married strips of Amherst Pheasant and Golden Pheasant 
 tail ; blue Macaw, Swan dyed crimson, Teal, unbarred Summer 
 Duck, Swan dyed dark yellow, Peacock wing, Mallard, and a. 
 topping. 
 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 
 CHEEKS. Chatterer. 
 
 HEAD. Black herl: 
 
 NOTE. Use Pig's wool for large Spring patterns. 
 
 CHARLIE. G.S. 
 
 (Captain DUNDAS.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and light blue silk. 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 131 
 
 BODY. Yellow and black Seal's fur equally divided. 
 
 EIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 
 HACKLE. Black hackle from yellow fur 
 
 THROAT. Jay ; but for larger patterns Gallina dyed blue. 
 
 WINGS. Tippet fibres, Golden Pheasant tail, and Teal for underwing ; 
 dark mottled Turkey, Bustard, Widgeon, Peacock wing, Swan 
 dyed yellow, red, and light blue ; and Mallard. 
 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 
 CHEEKS. Chatterer (formerly Kingfisher). 
 
 THE CHATTERER. S.S. 
 
 (TRAHERNE ) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and light orange silk. 
 TAIL. Two toppings. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 *BoDY. Two turns of light violet silk making headway for numberless 
 
 small Chatterer feathers, closely packed round the rest of 
 
 the body. 
 
 THROAT. Gallina. 
 WINGS. Four Indian Crow feathers, in pairs (back to back), first pair 
 
 longer than the second, having the point of a Jay feather on each 
 
 side two-thirds of the length of the Crow feathers ; with five or 
 
 six toppings above. 
 CHEEKS. Chatterer. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 These feathers are best put on by working head wards, holding the hook 
 not by the bend in the usual way, but by the shank. 
 
 EIVERS. All " Blue rivers." An excellent fly on the Tweed when dressed 
 
 with built or mixed wings. 
 
 K2 
 
132 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 CHILDERS. G.S. 
 
 (Colonel GUILDERS.) 
 TAG. Silver twist and light blue silk. 
 
 TAIL. A topping ; strands of red, and powdered blue Macaw, and Pintail. 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Two turns of light yellow silk, followed by light yellow Seal's 
 
 fur, and three turns red Seal's fur at throat. 
 RIBS. Silver lace and silver tinsel (oval). 
 HACKLE. White furnace hackle, dyed light yellow. 
 THROAT. A red hackle and Widgeon. 
 WINGS. Strands of tippet, and tail of the Golden Pheasant; brown 
 
 mottled Turkey, Amherst Pheasant, Pintail, Bustard, Summer 
 
 Duck, Parrot, powdered blue and red Macaw, Gallina ; Mallard 
 
 and a topping. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 CHEEKS. Chatterer. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 One of the best old standard patterns. 
 
 THE CLARET-BROWN. G.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 TAIL. A few fibres of yellow Macaw. 
 
 BODY. Three turns of orange Pig's wool, followed by claret-brown Pig's 
 
 wool. 
 
 RIBS. Silver tinsel. 
 HACKLE. Crown Pigeon from centre. 
 THROAT. Gallina. 
 
 WINGS. Two strips of Glen Tana Gled and a topping. 
 HORNS. Red Macaw. 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and light yellow silk. 
 TAIL. A topping, Ibis and Gallina. 
 
 THE CLARET JAY. G.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 133 
 
 BODY. Two turns of light red-claret silk, followed by claret Seal's fur. 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 KIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 
 HACKLE. Claret hackle, from second turn. 
 
 THROAT. Jay. 
 
 WINGS. Strands of Teal, Tippet and Toucan ; Parrot, light mottled 
 
 Turkey, Golden Pheasant tail, Gallina, dark Bustard, Swan dyed 
 
 yellow, light blue, and claret ; and Mallard. 
 SIDES. Ibis and yellow Macaw (married). 
 HOBNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 Introduced for me by Farlow many years since. 
 
 THE CLARET PALMER. G.S. 
 
 (HARDY BROS.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and dark blue silk. 
 TAIL. A topping and Indian Crow. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 BODY. Light red-claret silk. 
 KIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 HACKLE. Blue, from second turn. 
 THROAT. Jay. 
 
 WINGS. Same as " Blue Palmer." 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 This fly is as popular in Ireland as the " Blue Palmer." 
 
 THE CLARET WASP. G.S. 
 
 (M \LLOCH.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk. 
 TAIL. A topping, Widgeon and Ibis. 
 
134 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 BODY. Equal parts of yellow and claret Seal's fur. 
 
 EIBS. Silver tinsel (oval, fine) over yellow half, and silver tinsel. 
 
 HACKLE.- A claret hackle along claret Seal's fur. 
 
 THROAT. Gallina. 
 
 WINGS. Two strips of cinnamon Turkey. 
 
 A real favourite on the Earn and popular on many other Scotch rivers. 
 
 THE CLARK. G.S. 
 
 (\V. GARDEN.) 
 TAG. Silver twist. 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 BODY. Dark blue silk. 
 RIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 THROAT. Gallina and Teal. 
 
 WINGS. Tippet fibres ; Mallard and two narrow strips of Summer Duck- 
 above. 
 
 A summer pattern on the Dee. This fly is well known in many parts 
 of Ireland, and also kills well on the Lochy and Ness. It is well dressed 
 at Aberdeen by the inventor. 
 
 THE CLUNY. G.S. 
 
 (W. GARDEN.) 
 TAG. Silver twist. 
 TAIL. A topping and Scarlet Ibis. 
 BODY. Black silk. 
 EIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 THROAT. Gallina. 
 WINGS. Teal. 
 
 This favourite summer pattern on the Dee is dressed on very small 
 
 double hooks. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 135 
 
 COCK ROBIN. G.S. 
 
 (G. KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk. 
 TAIL. A topping and Ibis. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Black silk, with two turns at throat of red-orange Seal's fur. 
 RIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 HACKLE. Black hackle, from second turn. 
 THROAT. Ked-orange hackle. 
 WINGS. Two tippets (back to back) veiled with Gallina, light mottled 
 
 Turkey, Golden Pheasant tail, dark mottled Turkey, Swan dyed 
 
 light yellow and red-orange ; and Mallard. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 A well known old standard pattern of my Father's. 
 
 THE COLONEL. G.S. 
 
 (Modern.) (F.\RLO\v.) 
 
 TAG. Gold twist and yellow silk. 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 
 BODY. Two turns of yellow silk, followed by yellow Seal's fur. 
 RIBS. Black purse silk, gold lace, and silver tinsel (together). 
 HACKLE. A yellow hackle, from yellow silk. 
 THROAT. Light Bustard. 
 WINGS. Strips of dark mottled Turkey, Golden Pheasant tail, and 
 
 Bustard ; Swan dyed yellow, red, and blue ; and a topping. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black wool. 
 
 Thurso, Don, and very good on the Wye. 
 
 THE COMET. G.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 TAG. Silver twist arid yellow silk. 
 
 TAIL. Toucan ; and tippet fibres varying in length. 
 
136 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY.- Copper tinselled chenille. 
 
 HACKLE. Light fiery brown (two thirds of body). 
 
 THROAT. Jay. 
 
 WINGS. Two strips of tippet, veiled with Golden Pheasant tail, Teal, 
 
 and Gallina ; Mallard and a topping. 
 
 SIDES. A married strip of yellow and powdered blue Macaw, and Ibis. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 
 An excellent fly on the Usk. 
 
 CROMARTY. G.S. 
 
 (HOLBROW.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk. 
 
 TAIL. Toucan. 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Black silk. 
 
 RIBS. Silver tinsel. 
 
 HACKLE. Black from second turn. 
 
 THROAT. Gallina dyed blue. 
 
 WINGS. Two tippets (back to back) veiled, T L with light Bustard, Mallard, 
 
 and a topping. 
 
 SIDES. Swan dyed yellow and blue. 
 HEAD. Black wool. 
 
 THE DALHOUSIE. G.S. 
 
 (DAVID MURIIAT.) 
 TAG. Silver twist. 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Gold embossed tinsel, first half, followed by black silk. 
 BIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 137 
 
 HACKLE. Orange hackle, from centre. 
 
 WINGS. Two strips of tippet, Golden Pheasant tail, Pintail, and a 
 
 topping. 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 
 A good killer on North Esk. 
 
 THE DALLAS FLY. G.S. 
 
 (Jonx DALLA.S.) 
 
 BODY. Three turns of yellow Berlin wool, followed by black wool. 
 RIBS. Silver tinsel, gold tinsel (oval, narrow), red thread and blue 
 
 thread, all running an equal distance apart. 
 HACKLE. A black Spey Cock's hackle from end of body, but wound the 
 
 reverse way, and so crossing over the ribs. 
 THROAT. A red hackle from the Golden Pheasant. 
 WINGS. Two strips of plain cinnamon Turkey. 
 HEAD. Orange wool, picked out. 
 
 This capital fly on the Spey was christened by Mr. Little Gilmore. 
 Like other local patterns, the body is short and begins a full ;- of an inch 
 in front of the point of the hook. The description given is from a pattern 
 forwarded by Mr. C. M. Burn's Fisherman at Pitcroy ; and proved to be 
 correct by one being sent to me by Dallas himself. 
 
 THE DANDY. S.S. 
 
 (WEIGHT.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk. 
 
 TAIL. Topping, strands of Summer Duck and Chatterer. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Silver tinsel, nearly \ , and finish with light blue silk. 
 RIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 THROAT. A light blue hackle and Gallina. 
 
 WINGS. Two tippets (back to back) enveloping two projecting Jungle 
 (back to back). 
 
138 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 SIDES. Summer Duck, covering lower part of tippet. 
 CHEEKS. Chatterer. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black Berlin Wool. 
 
 RIVERS : Tweed, etc. 
 
 (NOTE. This fly occasionally -kills under general conditions of 
 weather and water, but is frequently found useful as a special standard for 
 moving sulky fish.) 
 
 THE DAVIDSON. G.S. 
 
 (W. J. DAVIDSON.) 
 
 (Pattern and particulars given to me by Mr. Davidson himself when fishing 
 
 together on the Tay at Aberfeldy.) 
 TAG. Gold twist and yellow silk. 
 TAIL. A topping and Peacock wing. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 BODY. In two sections : 1st half of gold tinsel, ribbed with gold tinsel 
 
 (oval) and butted with a Jay hackle : 2nd half, blue silk ribbed 
 
 with gold tinsel (oval). 
 THROAT. A tippet (hackle- wise). 
 WINGS. Three toppings, the one in the centre is put on its back ; the 
 
 other two at the sides, projecting outwards. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 The inventor, who introduced Frank Buckland to his first fish, 
 used this pattern on all occasions when he found Salmon in a sulky 
 humour. 
 
 THE DAWSON. G.S. 
 
 (KEXNET DAWSON.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk. 
 TAIL. A topping and Chatterer. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 139 
 
 BUTT. Black bed. 
 
 BODY. In two equal sections of silver tinsel, butted at centre with Indian 
 
 Crow and black herl. 
 UIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 
 THROAT. Indian Crow, repeated as above, and light blue hackle. 
 WINGS. Light mottled Turkey, yellow Macaw, Golden Pheasant tail, 
 
 Teal, powdered blue Macaw, Ibis, dark mottled Turkey, grey 
 
 Mallard ; Mallard and a topping. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 This is a splendid pattern. I always take it with me. On some rivers 
 it is known as " Baron Dawson." 
 
 THE DENISON. G.S. 
 
 (DBNISOH.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist, claret and yellow silk. 
 TAIL. A topping and Summer Duck. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Silver tinsel (oval, fine, to centre) followed by light blue silk. 
 EIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 HACKLE. A light blue hackle, from centre. 
 THROAT. Jay. 
 AViNGS. Two tippets (back to back) enveloping two extended Jungle, 
 
 veiled with yellow rump of Golden Pheasant on each side, Teal, 
 
 and a topping. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 An old standard on the Ness. 
 
 THE DEWDROP. G.S. 
 
 (KELSOX.) 
 
 TAG. Gold twist and yellow silk. 
 TAIL. A topping and Jungle (point). 
 
140 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 BUTT. Black herl, followed by six turns of the gold twist used 
 
 for tag. 
 BODY. In two sections ; No. 1, yellow silk to centre, ribbed with gold 
 
 oval tinsel (fine) put on each side of a rib of black silk ; butted 
 
 with Toucan above and below, and black herl ; No. 2, Black silk, 
 
 ribbed with gold oval tinsel (fine) put on each side of a rib of 
 
 yellow silk. 
 
 THKOAT. Light blue hackle and Jay. 
 WINGS. One tippet, backed with red breast feather of Golden Pheasant ; 
 
 veiled with Teal, light and dark Bustard, Peacock wing, Gallina ; 
 
 Mallard and a topping. ; 
 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 
 CHEEKS. Indian Crow and Chatterer. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 
 A successful fly on most rivers. 
 
 THE DIRTY ORANGE. G.S. 
 
 (KELSOX.) 
 
 TAG. Gold twist and light blue silk. 
 TAIL. A topping and strands of tippet. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 BODY. Two turns of light orange silk, followed by light dirty-orange 
 
 Seal's fur. 
 
 EIBS. Gold tinsel (oval). 
 HACKLE. Light dirty-orange from silk. 
 THROAT. Jay. 
 WINGS. Ginger Turkey (strips) ; Gallina, red breast of Golden Pheasant, 
 
 in strands ; Bustard, Peacock herl, Golden Pheasant tail, strands 
 
 of black Turkey white tipped, red Macaw, Swan dyed dirty-orange 
 
 and dark blue ; and Mallard. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 141 
 
 SIDES. Summer Duck. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 Introduced for me by Farlow many years since. 
 
 DOCTOR LEONARD. G.S. 
 
 (Hi REGAN.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk. 
 TAIL. A topping and blue mohair. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 BODY. Four close turns of silver twist. Two equal sections of black 
 
 silk butted with four close turns (as before) of silver twist, each 
 
 having a top mane of claret mohair (short). 
 THROAT. Golden olive hackle and Jay. 
 WINGS. Two strips of tippet ; Golden Pheasant, trail Mallard and a 
 
 topping. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 
 A favourite fly on the Moy (chiefly used above Ballina) and on the 
 
 Owenmore. 
 
 THE DONKEY. G.S. 
 
 (G. KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk. 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Donkey's fur (now, Silver Monkey's fur). 
 BIBS. Silver tinsel. 
 
 HACKLE. A transparent natural blue-dun hackle, from second turn. 
 THROAT. Jay. 
 
 WINGS. Tippet, Teal, and Golden Pheasant tail, grey Mallard, dark 
 mottled Turkey, Swan dyed yellow and red ; and Mallard. 
 
142 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 This old standard of my Father's is a useful fly on the Lee and other 
 
 Irish waters. 
 
 DR. DONALDSON. G.S. 
 
 (MALLOCII.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk. 
 
 TAIL. A topping, a few strands of tippet and points of Toucan. 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. (After Jock Scott type) First section, blue silk, ribbed with 
 silver tinsel (fine, oval) butted with blue Chatterer fibres above 
 and below, and black herl : Second section, dark claret silk, 
 ribbed with silver lace and silver tinsel, and a claret hackle 
 along it. 
 
 THROAT. Orange hackle and Widgeon. 
 
 WINGS. Two extended Jungle slightly tinged in Bismarck brown ; Golden 
 Pheasant tail, light and dark Bustard, Swan dyed red, and yellow ; 
 and a topping. 
 
 SIDES. Jungle (not dyed). 
 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 
 THE DUCHESS. G.S. 
 
 (TURNBDLL.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and light yellow silk. 
 
 TAIL. Two toppings, Indian Crow and blue Chatterer. 
 
 BUTT. Peacock herl. 
 
 BODY. Black silk. 
 
 RIHS. Silver lace and silver tinsel. 
 
 HACKLE. Black, from second turn. 
 
 THROAT. Jay. 
 
 WINGS. Six toppings. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 143 
 
 SIDES. Summer Duck. 
 
 CHEEKS. Indian Crow and Chatterer. 
 
 HORNS. Eed, and blue Macaw; and light green Parrot. 
 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 * 
 
 The Master of the Dumfriesshire Otter hounds, using this fly on the 
 Annan, recently caught ten Salmon varying from 17 to 26 Ibs. in weight. 
 
 THE DUKE. U.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk. 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 
 BODY. Light red fiery brown Seal's fur. 
 RIBS. Silver tinsel. 
 THROAT. Widgeon and Jay. 
 WINGS. Strands of tippet; grey Mallard, a little Summer Duck, Mallard, 
 
 and a topping. 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 A modern Spey pattern. 
 
 DUNKELD. G.S. 
 
 TAG. Gold twist and orange silk. 
 
 TAIL. A topping, and point of Jungle. 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Gold tinsel. 
 
 RIBS. Gold tinsel (oval). 
 
 HACKLE. Orange hackle, from second turn. 
 
 THROAT. Jay. 
 
 WINGS. Two strips of Peacock wing, Mallard, and a topping. 
 
144 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 HORNS. Blue and red Macaw. 
 CHEEKS. Chatterer. 
 
 This old standard pattern has undergone considerable change of 
 "toilette," and is now universally dressed as above. Formerly the body 
 was made with gold embossed tinsel, which I prefer. I believe it was 
 invented by W. J. Davidson. 
 
 THE DUJSTT. G.S. 
 
 (W. MURDOCH.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and light blue silk. 
 TAIL. A topping and Teal. 
 
 BODY. Yellow, orange, red-claret Seal's fur, in equal sections. 
 RIBS. Silver lace and silver tinsel. 
 HACKLE. Black Heron, from claret fur. 
 THROAT. Teal. 
 WINGS. Two strips of plain brown Turkey with black bars and white 
 
 tips. 
 SIDES. Jungle, short and drooping over Throat hackle. 
 
 In the spring of 1893 this pattern accounted for seven Salmon out of 
 the nine caught in the Birnam water on the Tay. 
 
 Mr. Murdoch writes : " There is not a better all-round fly of the 
 plain sort than the Dunt put upon the Dee in Spring or Autumn." 
 
 THE DURHAM RANGER. G.S. 
 
 (WRIGHT.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk. 
 TAIL. Topping and Indian Crow. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Two turns of orange silk, two turns of dark orange Seal's fur ; 
 the rest, which is about half, of black Seal's fur. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 145 
 
 RIBS. Silver lace and silver tinsel. 
 
 HACKLE. A white coch-a-bonddu dyed orange, running along the furs. 
 
 THROAT. Light blue hackle. 
 
 AViNGS. Four tippets overlapping (two on each side) and enveloping two 
 
 projecting Jungle (back to back), and a topping. 
 CHEEKS. Chatterer. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black Berlin wool. 
 
 EIVERS : Tweed, Spey, Lochy, Tay, Don, Earn, etc., etc. 
 
 THE DUSTY MILLER. G.S. 
 
 (JEWHURST.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk. 
 TAIL. A topping and Indian Crow. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Silver tinsel embossed, two thirds ; followed by orange silk. 
 RIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 THROAT. Gallina. 
 WINGS. Two strips of black Turkey white tipped, Golden Pheasant tail, 
 
 Bustard, Pintail, Gallina, Mallard, and one topping put inside 
 
 out on each side of wings. 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 
 One of the oldest standard patterns. 
 
 ELSIE. S.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist (plenty). 
 TAIL. A topping and Summer Duck. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
14P) THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 B ODY . One third light blue silk, ribbed with silver twist and butted with 
 fibres of Grande Breve Tocate above and below, and black herl ; 
 followed by claret silk having a dark claret hackle along it, and 
 ribbed with silver tinsel (oval). 
 
 THROAT. Jay. 
 
 WINGS. Tippet fibres (plenty) veiled with Mallard ; and a topping. 
 
 SIDES. Jungle (extra size) and a short strip of large Summer Duck. 
 
 CHEEKS. Grande Breve Tocate (extra size). 
 
 A special pattern for fish lying behind upright rocks and large boulders. 
 
 ETHEL. G.S. 
 
 (TURXBULL.) 
 
 TAG. Gold twist and light yellow silk. 
 
 TAIL. Summer Duck. 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. In two sections : No. 1, light yellow silk, ribbed with fine silver 
 
 tinsel, and butted with Toucan (above and below), and black 
 
 herl ; No. 2, red silk, ribbed with gold tinsel. 
 THROAT. Black Heron. 
 WINGS. Two Snipe (back to back) for underwing, veiled with Peacock 
 
 herl. 
 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 An excellent fly on the Usk. 
 
 EXCELSIOR. G.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and red silk. 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 147 
 
 BODY. In two sections: No. 1, Parrot green silk, ribbed with silver 
 tinsel (oval, fine), butted with Indian Crow above and below, and 
 black herl. No. 2, Black Seal's fur ribbed with silver tinsel 
 (oval), and a natural black hackle along it. 
 
 THROAT. Jay. 
 
 WINGS. Golden Pheasant tippet and tail, and Gallina in strands ; grey 
 Mallard, Summer Duck ; Mallard, and a topping. 
 
 SIDES. Ibis and yellow Macaw (married). 
 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 
 An old standard useful on most rivers. 
 
 THE FAIRY. G.S. 
 
 (FAHLOW.) 
 TAG. Silver twist. 
 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 
 BODY. One third yellow Seal's fur, followed by black Seal's fur. 
 
 EIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 
 HACKLE. Black hackle, from yellow fur. 
 
 WINGS. Mallard. 
 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 
 For Canadian waters and a useful low water fly. 
 
 THE FAIRY KING. G.S. 
 
 (K.ELSOX.) 
 
 TAG. Gold twist and scarlet silk. 
 
 TAIL. Toucan and Jungle (point) dyed scarlet. 
 
 BODY. Black Seal's fur. 
 
 KIBS. Gold tinsel (oval). 
 
 THROAT. Light blue hackle (long), and Gallina dyed orange. 
 
 WINGS. Peacock's herl ; Swan dyed yellow and scarlet ; Summer Duck, 
 
 capped with two strips of black Turkey, white tipped. 
 SIDES. Jungle dyed scarlet. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 An old standard on the Usk, and a great favourite of personal friends. 
 
 L2 
 
148 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 THE FAIRY QUEEN. G.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Gold twist and scarlet silk. 
 
 TAIL. Toucan, one small Jungle dyed scarlet, with two extending 
 strands of Peacock wing. 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Two turns of black silk, followed by black Seal's fur. 
 
 EIBS. Gold tinsel (oval). 
 
 THROAT. Medium blue hackle and Gallina dyed light orange (the same 
 in colour as the Toucan). 
 
 WINGS. Gallina and tippet strands in different lengths for underwing, 
 Peacock herl, Swan dyed Jight orange, scarlet, and blue ; two 
 thin strips of Summer Duck, capped with two strips of the black 
 sheeny Turkey, white tipped, taken from the undertail of an old 
 bird, and a topping. 
 
 SIDES. Jungle fowl dyed scarlet. 
 
 HORNS. Eed Macaw. 
 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 A useful fly on the Usk and other " Eed " rivers, when a thorough change 
 
 is desirable. 
 
 THE FENIAN. G.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and gold twist, respectively. 
 TAIL. A topping, powdered blue Macaw, and Teal. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Orange Seal's fur, violet silk and black silk, in equal divisions. 
 EIBS. Silver tinsel and gold lace. 
 HACKLE. From violet silk ; one side of a red-claret and one side of a 
 
 light blue hackle, forming one. 
 THROAT. Jay. 
 WINGS. Golden Pheasant tail and tippet strands ; Teal, Mallard, and a 
 
 topping. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 149 
 
 SIDES. Ibis and powdered blue Macaw (married). 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 
 A good fly on most rivers used in sizes up to 2/0. 
 
 THE FIERY BROWN. G.S. 
 
 (ROGAN.) 
 
 TAG. Gold twist and light orange silk. 
 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 
 BODY. Fiery brown Seal's fur. 
 
 EIBS. Gold tinsel. 
 
 HACKLE. Fiery brown backle, from second turn. 
 
 WINGS. Tippet strands, and broad strips of Mallard. 
 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 I would strongly recommend dressers to apply to Michael Rogan, Bally- 
 shannon, for all shades of fiery brown. 
 
 FLOODTIDE. G.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Silver tinsel (fine, oval) and crimson silk. 
 
 TAIL. A topping and Summer Duck. 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Canary, yellow, dark orange, and crimson Seal's fur. 
 
 RIBS. Silver tinsel and silver lace. 
 
 HACKLE. Yellow Eagle, from dark orange. 
 
 THROAT. Gallina (two turns) dyed crimson. 
 
 WINGS. Two Golden Pheasant sword (back to back) enveloping two 
 extended Jungle (back to back) ; Bustard, Amherst Pheasant 
 tail, Swan dyed yellow and crimson ; and a topping. 
 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 
 CHEEKS. Jungle (points). 
 
loO THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 One of the best standards for use " on the top of a flood." For Spring 
 fishing I dress the body of Pig's wool ; and for clear water and small sizes, 
 a hen Pheasant dyed yellow instead of Eagle. 
 
 FRA DTAVOLO. G.S. 
 
 (TRAHERXK.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and light yellow silk. 
 TAIL. Topping. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 BODY. One third red-orange silk, ribbed with fine silver tinsel (oval) 
 
 having two Indian Crow feathers above and below, and butted 
 
 as before ; followed by light blue silk, ribbed with broad silver 
 
 lace, having a light blue hackle along it. 
 THROAT. Yellow Macaw. 
 WINGS. Two strips black Turkey having white points, Amherst Pheasant 
 
 tail, red Macaw, Swan dyed green Macaw, and two toppings. 
 SIDES. Summer Duck and Jungle above. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 CHEEKS . Chatterer. 
 
 EIVERS : Tay, etc. 
 
 (With this pattern the inventor himself once caught thirteen fresh-run fish 
 
 at Stanley in fifteen days.) 
 
 GALLANTINE. G.S. 
 
 (Grub.) (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk. 
 
 TAIL. Two starling dyed light red-claret (back to back). 
 BUTT. (Or No. 1 hackle) A white furnace dyed light red-claret. 
 BODY. Claret chenille. No. 2 (or centre) hackle, a white furnace dyed 
 dark claret. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 151 
 
 HEAD. (Or No. 3 hackle) A large black hackle, and two turns of Gallina 
 
 dyed dark blue. 
 CHEEKS. Chatterer (small, taken from head). 
 
 An excellent standard Grub on the Usk. At the latter end of 
 August, 1882, the water being very low, I killed fifteen Salmon in one 
 week, varying from 13 Ibs. to 22^ Ibs. in weight with this fly dressed 
 on a No. 1 hook. 
 
 THE GALLINIPPER. G.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and scarlet silk. 
 TAIL. Toucan (half orange, half red from undertail) Amherst Pheasant 
 
 tail strands, and point of Jungle. 
 BUTT. Orange herl. 
 
 BODY. Dirty orange, Mouse, and black Seal's fur equally divided. 
 KIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 
 THROAT. Scarlet hackle and a natural blue-dun. 
 WINGS. Two strips of Peacock wing, and Golden Pheasant tail in 
 
 strands. 
 
 SIDES. Teal and Ibis (married). 
 CHEEKS. Indian Crow. 
 HORNS. Bed Macaw. 
 
 An old standard on the Usk, and a useful fly in Scotland. 
 
 THE GARDENER. G.S. 
 
 (W. GARDEN.) 
 
 TAG. Gold twist and crimson silk. 
 TAIL. A topping, and tippet strands. 
 
 BODY. Yellow, green, and dark blue Seal's fur in equal divisions. 
 EIBS. Silver tinsel. 
 HACKLE. A topping (as hackle) from yellow fur. 
 
152 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 THROAT. Black Heron. 
 
 WINGS. Two strips, plain cinnamon Turkey. 
 
 SIDES. Jungle (short and drooping). 
 
 One of Garden's best Dee patterns. 
 
 GENERAL SUMMER. G.S. 
 
 (SUMMER.) 
 
 TAG. Gold twist and gold silk. 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 BODY. Claret Seal's fur. 
 KIBS. Gold tinsel (oval). 
 HACKLE. Claret, from second turn. 
 THROAT. Jay. 
 WINGS. Mallard. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 
 Invariably used on the Erne and most other Irish rivers. Also a good fly 
 
 on the Usk. 
 
 THE GHOST. S.S. 
 
 TAG. Silver twist. 
 
 TAIL. Jay (points, back to back). 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. In two equal sections : No. 1, Black silk (thin) butted with two 
 
 turns of silver tinsel and two golden toppings above and below. 
 
 No. 2, Black Ostrich herl. 
 HACKLE. Natural black hackle, from centre. 
 WINGS. Two strips of Shovel Duck. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 
 This is an old standard and bears the reputation of killing fish on those 
 occasions when pools have been over-thrashed with ordinary patterns. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 158 
 
 GLEN GRANT. G.S. 
 
 (Major GRANT.) 
 
 TAIL. Golden Pheasant yellow rump (point). 
 BODY. Yellow wool three turns, and black wool. 
 EIBS. Silver lace and silver tinsel (usual way). 
 HACKLE. A black Spey Cock hackle from end of body, but wound from 
 
 root the reverse way crossing over ribs. 
 THROAT. Teal. 
 WINGS. Two long Jungle (back to back) two reaching half way, and two 
 
 still shorter, and Teal. 
 HEAD. Yellow wool. 
 
 An old standard on the Spey. 
 
 GLEN GRANT'S FANCY. G.S. 
 
 (Major GRANT.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and red-claret silk. 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 BODY. Light olive-green Seal's fur. 
 RIBS. Silver tinsel. 
 THROAT.- Jay and Teal. 
 WINGS. Tippet strands, Gallina, light mottled Turkey, Golden Pheasant 
 
 tail, Mallard, and a topping. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 A modern standard on the Spey. 
 
 GLENTANA. G.S. 
 
 (GARDEN.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist. 
 
 TAIL. Eed breast feather of Golden Pheasant. 
 BODY. One-third light orange Seal's fur ; and light claret Seal's fur. 
 
154 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 KIBS. Silver lace and silver tinsel. 
 
 HACKLE. Black Heron, from orange fur. 
 
 THROAT. Widgeon. 
 
 WINGS. Two strips of plain cinnamon Turkey showing light points. 
 
 An old Dee fly. 
 
 THE GLOW-WORM. S.S. 
 
 (Grub.) (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist, and yellow Seal's fur well picked" out. 
 TAIL. Ibis. 
 
 BODY. Copper tinselled chenille having three coch-a-bonddu hackles 
 (1) at Butt : (2) at centre of Body : (3) at Head. 
 
 An old standard on the Usk, and a general favourite on other hard fished 
 
 waters. 
 
 THE GOLDEN BUTTERFLY. S.S. 
 
 (TRAHERXE.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and light blue silk. 
 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Light yellow silk. The body is divided into five sections, 
 butted at each with two tippet feathers (back to back) above 
 and below, slightly increasing in size, as well as with black herl. 
 
 KIBS. Three in each section of fine silver twist. 
 
 WINGS. Six toppings. 
 
 HOENS. Blue Macaw. 
 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 (NoTE. Our best " Exaggeration," for special use in bright weather and 
 
 water.) 
 
 EIVEBS : Where it has actually killed the Tweed, Wye, barling on 
 
 the Tay, and in Norway. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 155 
 
 THE GOLDEN CANARY. G.S. 
 
 (Hi REGAN.) 
 
 TAG. Gold twist and dark yellow silk. 
 TAIL. A topping and light (barred) Bustard. 
 BODY. Golden-yellow Seal's fur. 
 KIBS. Gold tinsel (oval). 
 THROAT. A light Bustard hackle. 
 
 WINGS. Light and dark Bustard (strips), and two toppings. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 
 A successful old standard in Norway, used in discoloured (glacier) water. 
 
 GOLDEN DROP. G.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Gold twist; and cream silk. 
 TAIL. A topping and Jungle point. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 BODY. In two sections ; No. 1, gold tinsel and silver ribs, butted with 
 
 Toucan and black herl ; No. 2, black silk and gold ribs. 
 HACKLE. Orange, from centre. 
 THROAT. Jay. 
 WINGS. Light mottled Turkey, Golden Pheasant tail, Swan dyed 
 
 orange, light green, and Scarlet ; Gallina, Mallard and a topping. 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 
 A general favourite. 
 
 THE GOLDEN EAGLE. G.S. 
 
 (*PAKTRIDGE.) 
 
 TAG. Gold twist and gold silk. 
 TAIL. Tippet in strands. 
 
 * " Golden Perch," Oxford Street, London. 
 
156 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 BODY. Gold and fiery brown Pig's wool, equally divided. 
 
 RIBS. Gold tinsel. 
 
 HACKLE. Eagle hackle dyed gold over one-third of hody. 
 
 THROAT. Teal. 
 
 WINGS. Two strips of silver mottled Turkey. 
 
 An old standard at Eingwood. 
 
 THE GOLDFINCH. G.S. 
 
 (BERNARD.) 
 
 TAG. Gold twist and gold silk. : 
 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 BODY. Gold silk. 
 RIBS. Gold tinsel. 
 
 HACKLE. A yellow hackle from second turn. 
 THROAT. Jay. 
 WINGS. Six toppings. 
 HORNS. Eed Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 A very old standard. 
 
 THE GOLD JUDGE. G.S. 
 
 (TURNBULL.) 
 
 TAG. Gold twist and yellow silk. 
 
 TAIL. A topping and blue Chatterer. 
 
 BUTT. Peacock herl. 
 
 BODY. Gold tinsel. 
 
 EIBS. Gold tinsel (oval). 
 
 HACKLE. Olive green, from second turn. 
 
 THROAT. Fiery brown and Jay. 
 
 WINGS. Cinnamon Turkey, Pintail, Swan dyed yellow and red; Summer 
 
 Duck, and two toppings. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 157 
 
 THE GOLD RIACH. G.S. 
 
 (RlACH.) 
 
 BODY. Orange Berlin wool three turns, followed by black wool. 
 
 BIBS. From different starting points, of gold tinsel (narrow), gold twist, 
 
 and silver twist, not wound as usual, but in the reverse way 
 
 (towards head) and placed an equal distance apart. 
 HACKLE. A red Spey Cock, from end of body, wound from the root of 
 
 feather instead of from the point of it, and crossing over the 
 
 ribs the whole way. 
 THROAT. Teal, two turns. 
 WINGS. Two short strips of Mallard with brown mottled points and grey 
 
 mottled roots. 
 
 (See page 101, for particulars of dressing.) 
 
 Most of our flies are better at one time of year than at another, and 
 some are used only on special occasions. The " Golden Biach," like 
 "Jock Scott," etc., kills best in Spring and Autumn. The "Purple 
 King," unlike the " Green King," kills well 011 the Spey throughout the 
 season. The records kept at Wester Elchies of fish caught in the 
 district during five years from 1st August to 15th October give the 
 following results : 
 
 1. Gold Biach 51 Salmon. 
 2. Purple King 47 
 3. Jock Scott 36 
 4. Miss Jackson 35 ,, 
 5. Lady Caroline 35 
 6. The Carron Fly 34 ,, 
 7. Glentana 19 
 
 8. Thunder and Lightning 11 Salmon. 
 9. Blue Doctor 11 
 10. Green King 10 
 11. Black King 8 
 12. Dunkeld 8 
 
 This list is considerably curtailed; many other patterns met wiih 
 
158 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 some success. The "Green King" sinks into insignificance from the fact 
 that it is rarely used except in its own short season when the natural 
 insect is flying about. 
 
 THE GORDON. 
 
 The taste for varying this pattern has doubtless arisen from the fact 
 that there are Fishermen who, like myself, are not always satisfied with 
 any of the standards. We tone them down or brighten them up as 
 circumstances in fishing direct. 
 
 " But," writes a friend who knew the inventor, " the swift impress 
 that a truthfully dressed ' Gordon ' makes on the mind of a Dee Fisher- 
 man is one it needs no special studio training to enjoy." 
 
 As most people know, this fly is simply " lionised " on the Dee ; not 
 even " Jock Scott " can boast so many friends and supporters in any one 
 district. But what the " Gordon " was and what it is are two widely 
 different things. No two dressers of to-day make the fly alike. 
 
 Mr. Cosmo Gordon, the inventor, used to be particular about the 
 colour and amount of hackle, frequently using two feathers together. 
 He also had Jay at the throat instead of the dyed hackle as used now. 
 He, moreover, had the tippet in strands, and objected to the whole 
 feather in the wings. 
 
 " At one time," says William Brown, "Jay was employed as a throat 
 hackle." 
 
 Mr. Gordon was not only a good Salmon-angler, but also a good 
 judge of flies, an experience not picked up at home, by any means, for the 
 Dee was, and is still, early in the season, little more than a four-fly river 
 in his day. It is reported that he fished with other people's flies ; but I, 
 who knew he bought them, stoutly maintain that they were his own. Of 
 the many doubtful but conscientious representations of the "Gordon" 
 I have decided to give the two following dressings as practised at present 
 in Aberdeen. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 159 
 
 THE GORDON. G.S. 
 
 (Cosmo GORDON.) 
 (By WILLIAM BROWN, George Street, Aberdeen.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk. 
 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. One third yellow silk, and claret silk. 
 
 KIBS. Silver lace and silver tinsel (flat). 
 
 HACKLE. Claret hackle, from yellow silk. 
 
 THROAT. Blue hackle. 
 
 WINGS. One tippet backed with a sword feather of Golden Pheasant ; 
 Peacock herl, Bustard, Swan dyed light blue, light green, and 
 red-claret ; Amherst Pheasant tail and a topping. 
 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 
 HEAD. Black wool. 
 
 THE GORDON. G.S. 
 
 (COSMO GORDON. 
 (By WILLIAM GARDEN, Union Street, Aberdeen.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk. 
 
 TAIL. A topping and tippet strands. 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. One-third dark yellow silk, and claret silk. 
 
 RIBS. Silver lace and silver tinsel (flat). 
 
 HACKLE. Claret hackle, from dark yellow silk. 
 
 THROAT. Blue hackle. 
 
 WINGS. Two light red-claret hackles (back to back) veiled with Peacock 
 herl, light (grey) mottled Turkey, dark mottled Turkey, Golden 
 Pheasant tail, Bustard, Swan dyed yellow and blue ; light 
 mottled Turkey dyed claret, and a topping. 
 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 
 HEAD. Black wool. 
 
160 THE SALMON" FLY. 
 
 GORDON GUMMING. G.S. 
 
 (A. P. GORDON-GUMMING.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and red silk. 
 
 TAIL. Two toppings. 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Yellow silk. 
 
 RIBS. Silver lace and silver tinsel (oval). 
 
 HACKLE. A light blue hackle, from second turn. 
 
 THROAT. Jay. 
 
 WINGS. A tippet backed with red breast of Golden Pheasant, veiled with 
 
 Teal, light mottled Turkey ; Mallard and two toppings. 
 SIDES. Swan dyed, yellow, red, and blue (married). 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 
 Sir Alexander was one of the best if not the finest amateur dresser 
 in his day. He had, besides this one, several other patterns of his 
 own, all of which were in constant demand on the Findhorn five-and- 
 twenty years ago. One of them had a butt of red herl, a second one 
 in the centre of the body, and a third at the head ; but I am unable 
 to give the correct dressing of the fly. I have described the above from 
 a faded pattern which was given to me by the inventor himself ; and 
 in order to get at the true colours as near as one could, I pulled the 
 fly to pieces for the purpose. The inventor hardly ever used the standard 
 patterns without varying them more or less. " Jock Scott " for instance, 
 he made with a blue silk head section, instead of the usual black one ; 
 and perhaps this was the origin of the " blue- Jock- Scott." 
 
 THE GREEN HIGHLANDER. G.S. 
 
 (GRANT.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and canary silk. 
 TAIL. A topping and Teal. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Two turns of yellow silk and green Seal's fur. 
 RIBS. Silver tinsel. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 161 
 
 HACKLE. Green from yellow silk. 
 
 THROAT. A yellow hackle. 
 
 WINGS. Two tippets (back to back) veiled with light and dark Bustard, 
 
 Golden Pheasant tail, dark mottled Turkey, Swan dyed green, 
 
 Mallard and a topping. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 
 THE GREEN KING. S.S. 
 
 BODY. A dull shade of green, composed of a mixture of light and dark 
 green, brown, and a little yellow Berlin wools. 
 
 KIBS. From separate starting points of gold tinsel (narrow), silver tinsel 
 (narrow) and light olive-green sewing thread. These are all 
 wound the reverse way an equal distance apart, but the sewing 
 thread is left until the hackle is put on. The two metal ribs run 
 under the hackle, the sewing thread is put over it, between the 
 fibres. 
 
 HACKLE. From end of body, a red Spey-Cock hackle, but wound from 
 the root instead of from the point, in the usual direction, thus 
 crossing over the metal ribs. 
 
 THROAT. Teal, two turns only. 
 
 WINGS. Two strips of Mallard, having brown mottled points and grey 
 mottled roots. 
 
 The old standard Spey flies, like this one, are dressed upon long 
 shanked hooks. The bodies start from a point as much before the direct 
 line of the point of the hook as the work in ordinary standard flies starts 
 behind it ; that is equal to saying the bodies are comparatively very 
 short. The wings are also very short, in fact, no longer than the 
 bodies, if so long. 
 
 In preparing a Spey-Cock's hackle, do not remove all the fluffy fibres 
 at the root, but leave about three on each side of the quill. " The Green 
 King " is dressed after the local fly of that name. It appears in enormous 
 numbers about the end of April, and is an exceedingly large insect, twice 
 
 11 
 
162 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 the size of a hornet or even larger. I have seen them emerge from the 
 chrysalis and float down-stream before the wings expand. When left 
 alone by the Salmon they soon rise from the surface and fly at a great 
 pace up and down the river. On these occasions the counterfeit fly, 
 like the March-brown on the Dee, is very deadly. There are several of 
 these curious old standards on the Spey. Amongst others, the 
 "Secretary" and the "Green Kiach " find some supporters; but they 
 resemble other flies so closely that I have thought it unnecessary to add 
 them to the present list. 
 
 N.B. These old Spey standards were specially dressed for this work 
 by Charles Stuart, Fisherman, Aberlour, under the supervision of John 
 Cruikshank. Better authorities do not exist. 
 
 GREEN MIXTURE. G.S. 
 
 (ENRIGHT.) 
 
 TAG. Gold twist and dark orange silk. 
 TAIL. Toucan and Indian Crow. 
 BODY. Light pea-green silk. 
 KIBS. Silver tinsel. 
 HACKLE. Jay, from centre. 
 WINGS. Golden Pheasant yellow rump, Gallina, powdered blue and red 
 
 Macaw, Indian Crow, Bustard, Mallard and a topping. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 A useful Irish pattern. 
 
 THE GREEN PARROT. G.S. 
 
 (ENKIGHT.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk. 
 TAIL. A topping and tippet strands. 
 BODY. Violet silk. 
 KIBS. Silver tinsel. 
 THROAT. Parrot hackle (light green). 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 163 
 
 WINGS. Golden Pheasant tippet and yellow rump feather (point), Parrot, 
 
 Gallina, Ibis, yellow Macaw, and Mallard. 
 CHEEKS. Indian Crow. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 THE GREEN PEACOCK. G.S. 
 
 (W. MURDOCH.) 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk. 
 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 BODY. Light blue silk. 
 BIBS. Oval tinsel. 
 THROAT. Light blue hackle. 
 WINGS. Peacock herl, sword feather. 
 
 Writing from Aberdeen, Mr. Murdoch states : " On blazing, bright, 
 hot days, during June and July, there is no fly so fatal on the Dee, taking 
 the river all over, as the Green Peacock dressed on Nos. 7, 8, and 9 
 double hooks. Brown of George Street and Garden of Union Street 
 always dress it true to pattern." 
 
 THE GREEN QUEEN. G.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 TAG. Gold tinsel (narrow). 
 
 TAIL. Yellow rump, Golden Pheasant (point). 
 
 BODY. Same mixture of Berlin wools as for the " Green King." 
 
 Ems. Gold tinsel. 
 
 HACKLE. Crown Pigeon or Grey Heron one side of a feather stripped 
 
 from second turn. 
 
 THROAT. Bittern dyed yellow the white speckled feather. 
 WINGS. Dark cinnamon Turkey with lightish points; or, better still, the 
 
 " Gled." 
 
 As a general pattern in bright weather and water I prefer this to the 
 " Green King," which, however, is one of the best on the Spey when the 
 
 M 2 
 
164 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 fly itself is " up," say, from the third week in May to the second week in 
 July. The " Queen " is also a capital fly on many other rivers. 
 
 GREENWELL. G.S. 
 
 (WRIGHT.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and light orange silk. 
 
 TAIL. Topping and Jungle. 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Light blue silk. 
 
 RIBS. Silver lace and silver tinsel (flat). 
 
 HACKLE. Light blue, from second turn. 
 
 THROAT. Widgeon. 
 
 WINGS. Two strips of black Turkey, white tipped ; Golden Pheasant 
 tail, light and dark Bustard, Gallina, Swan dyed green and 
 scarlet ; grey Mallard, Mallard, and a topping. 
 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 
 HEAD. Black wool. 
 
 RIVERS : Tweed, Shannon, Erne, Tay, etc. 
 
 GREY EAGLE. G.S. 
 
 (JEWHURST.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist. 
 
 TAIL. Bed breast feather of the Golden Pheasant. 
 BODY. Yellow, light blue, and scarlet Seal's fur. 
 BIBS. Silver lace and silver tinsel. 
 HACKLE. Grey Eagle, from blue fur. 
 THROAT. Widgeon (Teal for large patterns). 
 
 WINGS. Two strips of brown mottled Turkey, with black bars and white 
 points. 
 
 A well-known dark water fly on the Dee. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 165 
 
 THE HARGREAVES. G.S. 
 
 (Colonel HARGREAVES.) 
 TAG. Silver twist. 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 
 BODY. Two turns of canary silk and black silk. 
 EIBS. Silver tinsel. 
 
 HACKLE. Black hackle, from canary silk. 
 THROAT. Jay. 
 WINGS. Peacock's herl (sword feather) veiled with two broad strips of 
 
 Summer Duck. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 
 THE HARLEQUIN. G.S. 
 
 (BERNARD. 
 
 TAG. Gold twist and olive-green silk. 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 BUTT. Black her!. 
 
 BODY. In three equal divisions of orange, light blue, and pink silk. 
 EIBS. Gold embossed tinsel (ordinary method) and silver tinsel (reversed) 
 
 passing over the gold. 
 
 THROAT. Orange and light blue hackles respectively. 
 WINGS. Two tippets capped with light and dark Bustard ; Golden 
 
 Pheasant tail, and a topping. 
 HORNS. Blue and red Macaw. 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 HEAD. Gold twist. 
 
 THE HELMSDALE. G.S. 
 
 (RAECLIFFE.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and orange silk. 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 BODY. Two turns of light yellow silk and yellow Seal's fur. 
 
166 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 RIBS. Silver tinsel, and fine oval tinsel. 
 
 HACKLE. Yellow hackle along fur. 
 
 THROAT. Light blue hackle. 
 
 WINGS. Brown mottled Turkey slightly white tipped. 
 
 A very old favourite on the Helnisdale. 
 
 THE HEATHER DOG. S.S. 
 
 (Grub.) (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist (plenty). 
 TAIL. Yellow Macaw. 
 BUTT. Small furnace hackle dyed red (coiled), and cheeked with points 
 
 of Jungle on each side. 
 
 BODY. Alternate coils of red and black chenille. 
 CENTRE HACKLE. Eed undertail of Toucan, cheeked, as before, with 
 
 Jungle. 
 HEAD -HACKLE. Two turns of Teal dyed yellow, and a black Heron 
 
 hackle, cheeked with Jungle. 
 
 Salmon feed voraciously on a caterpillar (found on the hills in the 
 North) when brought down by heavy rains. On those occasions, and for 
 some days after, general standards fail, while this pattern, which some- 
 what represents the living red and black striped insect itself is often 
 effective. 
 
 HEMPSEED. G.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk. 
 TAIL. A topping. Parrot ; and Jungle (point). 
 BUTT. Black lierl. 
 BODY. Four turns of yellow Seal's fur, four turns claret ditto (halfway), 
 
 and light blue Seal's fur. 
 EIBS. Silver lace and gold tinsel. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 167 
 
 HACKLE. An Irish-grey hackle, from yellow fur. 
 
 THROAT. A claret hackle and Widgeon. 
 
 WINGS. Two extended Jungle (back to back) Teal, Amherst Pheasant, 
 
 and Golden Pheasant tail, Mallard and a topping. 
 SIDES. Swan dyed yellow, claret, and light blue (married). 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 CHEEKS. Chatterer. 
 
 An old Tweed pattern. 
 
 THE HEMPSEED GRUB. G.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist. 
 
 TAIL. Ibis and yellow Macaw (mixed). 
 BUTT. No. 1 hackle a natural red Irish-grey, cheeked with Jungle 
 
 points. 
 BODY. Yellow and claret Seal's fur (half-way) ribbed with silver 
 
 tinsel (fine, oval). No. 2 hackle, a similar one and cheeked as 
 
 before, followed by blue Seal's fur and ribs. 
 HEAD. No. 3 hackle as before, and Widgeon, cheeked again with 
 
 Jungle. 
 
 THE HIGHLAND GEM. G.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk. 
 
 TAIL. A topping, Ibis, and Summer Duck. 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. In two equal sections : No. 1, of yellow silk, ribbed with narrow 
 (oval) silver tinsel, and butted with Golden bird of Paradise or 
 Toucan above and below, and black herl : No. 2, blue silk 
 ribbed as before alongside broad silver tinsel (flat). 
 
 HACKLE. Black Heron, from centre of blue silk. 
 
 THROAT. Gallina. 
 
168 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 WINGS. Amherst Pheasant strips and three toppings. 
 HORNS. Black Cockatoo (tail). 
 
 An excellent spring pattern on the Spey and Shannon. 
 
 HOLLAND'S FANCY. G.S. 
 
 (G. HOLLAND.) 
 TAG. Gold twist and gold silk. 
 
 TAIL. Ibis, yellow Macaw, and unbarred Summer Duck, in strands. 
 
 BUTT. Blue Chatterer, used as a hackle. 
 
 BODY. In two equal sections of gold silk, butted. with blue Chatterer 
 
 hackle ; and violet silk. 
 KIBS. Gold tinsel (oval). 
 
 THROAT. Black Heron and unbarred Summer Duck. 
 WINGS. Swan dyed gold and violet, single married strips of each. 
 
 Amherst Pheasant and two toppings. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 
 THE HOP DOG. G.S. 
 
 (Grub.) (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist (plenty). 
 
 TAIL. Indian Crow. 
 
 BUTT. Toucan (as hackle), cheeked on each side with Chatterer. 
 
 BODY. Alternate coils (wasp-like, not spiral) black, and red-orange 
 
 chenilles ; in centre, Toucan and Chatterer as before. 
 HEAD. Toucan, and Gallina dyed red-orange forming third hackle, and 
 
 Chatterer repeated. 
 
 This Grub comes into use earlier than all others except the " Spring 
 
 Grub." 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and pink silk. 
 TiiL. A topping. 
 
 IKE DEAN. G.S. 
 
 (G. KELSON.) 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 169 
 
 BUTT. Blue Chatterer, as hackle. 
 
 BODY. In two equal sections : (1) Silver tinsel (oval), butted with Golden 
 
 bird of Paradise : (2) Black silk, ribbed with silver lace. 
 HACKLE. Black Heron, from centre of black silk. 
 WINGS. Grey Mallard, Golden Pheasant tail, Swan dyed blue and yellow, 
 
 with two strips of cinnamon Turkey, and a topping. 
 
 " Ich Dien," the original name of this excellent pattern, was introduced 
 on the Lochy by my Father. It was one of the first of the fancy flies 
 and became very popular a few years before the advent of the " Butcher." 
 The singular success attained on the upper pools of this river by ou: 
 servant named Ike Dean, led to the general use of the pattern on other 
 rivers in Scotland, where the fly is known only by the name given with 
 the description. 
 
 THE IMPROVED HELMSDALE. G.S. 
 
 (NICOL McNicoL.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk. 
 TAIL. A topping and Indian Crow. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 BODY. Silver tinsel. 
 RIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 HACKLE. Light green hackle (half-way). 
 WINGS. Golden Pheasant strands, Peacock herl, Swan dyed red and 
 
 yellow, and a topping. 
 SIDES. Indian Crow (large). 
 CHEEKS. Indian Crow (small). 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black wool. 
 
 One of the best Helmsdale patterns and a great favourite in the North. 
 To be had of Nicol McNicol, Reay, Thurso. 
 
170 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 THE INFALLIBLE. G.S. 
 
 (FARLOW.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and light bine silk. 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Four turns of claret silk, followed by dark yellow silk. 
 RIBS. Silver tinsel (broad). 
 HACKLE. Claret hackle, from claret silk. 
 THROAT. Jay. 
 WINGS. Two tippets (back to back) capped with Golden Pheasant tail, 
 
 Bustard, Peacock wing ; red, and blue Macaw, and a topping. 
 SIDES.- A narrow strip of Summer Duck. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 A well-known old standard. Kills well on the Bundrowes and Black- 
 water ; an excellent low-water fly on the Shannon and a general favourite 
 throughout Scotland and Wales. 
 
 THE INVER GREEN. G.S. 
 
 (C. AUSTEX-LEIGH.) 
 TAG. Gold twist. 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 BODY. Light olive-green silk. 
 RIBS. Gold embossed tinsel. 
 HACKLE. Light olive-green, from second turn. 
 WINGS. Two strips of tippet ; Bustard, Pintail, Swan dyed crimson, 
 
 Golden Pheasant tail, and Mallard. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 An excellent fly on the Inver. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 171 
 
 THE JEANNIE. G.S. 
 
 (W. BROWN.) 
 TAG. Silver twist. 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 
 BODY. One-third yellow silk, followed by black silk. 
 KIBS. Silver tinsel. 
 THROAT. A natural black hackle. 
 WINGS. Mallard. 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 
 A great favourite in summer on the Dee. It is dressed on small double 
 
 hooks. 
 
 THE JOCKIE. G.S. 
 
 (W. BROWN.) 
 TAG. Silver twist. 
 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 
 BODY. One-third yellow silk, followed by dark claret silk. 
 
 BIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 
 THROAT. A coch-a-bonddu hackle. 
 
 WINGS. Mallard. 
 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 
 A useful fly in summer on the Dee. It is dressed on small double 
 
 hooks. 
 
 JOCK SCOTT. G.S. 
 
 (Jons SCOTT.) 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk. 
 
 TAIL. A topping and Indian Crow. 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. In two equal sections : No. 1, of yellow silk (butter-cup colour) 
 ribbed with narrow silver tinsel, and butted with Toucan above 
 and below, and black herl : No. 2, black silk, ribbed with broad 
 silver tinsel. 
 
172 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 HACKLE. A natural black hackle, from centre. 
 
 THROAT. Gallina. 
 
 WINGS. Two strips of black Turkey with white tips, Golden Pheasant 
 tail, Bustard, grey Mallard, Peacock (sword feather) Swan dyed 
 blue and yellow, red Macaw, Mallard, and a topping. 
 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 
 CHEEKS. Chatterer. 
 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 " Jock " for the inventor of this renowned fly was hardly known 
 as John Scott was born at Branxholme early in February 1817. When 
 thirteen years of age he began his Salmon-angling career under the 
 directions of Robert Kerss, head keeper to the (then) Marquis of Lothian. 
 In two or three years, on leaving his situation, he entered the service of 
 that Prince of sportsmen, the late Lord John Scott, with whom he 
 remained, as Fisherman, for full five-and-twenty years of his life. After- 
 wards " Jock " spent a year or two at the fly-table, and lived honourably 
 by the constant practice of that art which he was born to enrich. He 
 then became keeper to the present Earl of Haddington M.F.H. in whose 
 service the poor old fellow died, 24th January, 1893. "Jock" was no 
 giant, but had a big heart and a constitution of iron. Second to none at 
 other sports and pastimes in the North, his soul was chiefly in fishing 
 and most of his time was spent in the water without waders. 
 
 Admired by many, respected by all, trustworthy to a degree, good 
 at fishing, excellent at fly-making, he distinguished himself for his 
 inventive genius in connection with this particular pattern. Not long 
 before his death (he had been my attendant when young) he gave me a 
 specimen of his own make, and said that he set about the original in 
 1850. 
 
 " When you are too old, Sir," he added, " send to Kelso for them 
 Neither Forrest nor Redpath* ever have that nasty dark coloured silk in 
 front (meaning in the order of construction) and know how to keep 
 yellow silk a good colour when put there by themselves." 
 
 * Reilpath and Co. are wholesale people well known in the trade for their beautiful flies, 
 
 etc., etc. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 173 
 
 It is hardly necessary to say that the utmost triumph of two essential 
 qualities, namely, harmony and proportion, is admirably illustrated in 
 this one of the most popular fancy patterns ever designed by man. 
 
 It is only just possible to find a river or a catch, be it in pools, 
 streams, rapids, or flats, shaded or exposed to the light of day, in which a 
 " Jock Scott," when dressed properly, has not made for itself a splendid 
 reputation. Eemembering what has been urged in these pages with 
 regard to judging at the riverside which kind of fly is best for the time 
 being, we shall find that no pattern illustrates my theories so perfectly 
 and so satisfactorily as this one. 
 
 But it should be borne in mind that orange silk (too often used 
 instead of yellow) even closely coiled on the hook, once saturated, always 
 turns a dirty brown shade, intensified in many cases by the roughly 
 waxed tying-silk underneath. That colour is not only objectionable, but 
 undesirable, the material features of the fly in this instance being 
 altogether robbed of both beauty and effect while doing duty in clear 
 water and bright weather. 
 
 The only correct account of the life and exploits of the inventor 
 appeared in the Field 18th February, 1893, over the signature of "Punt 
 Gun," a gentleman who knew " Jock " intimately as a Fisherman on the 
 Tweed. " Every word," says the writer of it in a recent letter to me, " was 
 taken from his own life, or the writings of his son and family. I was 
 very fond of him ; and it was a labour of love to me to write all I knew 
 of the poor old fellow." 
 
 The interesting biography concluded with these words: "With 
 ' Jock's ' death has passed away another link with old days, when to be a 
 sportsman was, at any rate, to be a man. . . May he rest in peace." 
 
 JOHN CAMPBELL. G.S. 
 
 (WEIGHT.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and orange silk. 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
174 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 BODY. Black silk. 
 
 BIBS. Silver lace and silver tinsel. 
 
 HACKLE. Natural black, from centre. 
 
 THBOAT. An orange hackle. 
 
 WINGS. Tippet strands ; Pintail, Florican, light and dark Bustard, 
 
 Golden Pheasant tail, Swan dyed yellow, Mallard, and a 
 
 topping. 
 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 CHEEKS. Chatterer. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 
 
 A good fly on the Usk, Tweed, and Dee, and said to be an old standard 
 
 on many other rivers. 
 
 *JOHN FERGUSON. . G.S. 
 
 (WRIGHT.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and dark yellow silk. 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Blue silk and salmon coloured silk, equally divided. 
 BIBS. Silver lace and silver tinsel. 
 HACKLE. Orange hackle, from blue silk. 
 THROAT. Gallina. 
 WINGS. Pintail, Golden Pheasant tail, Bustard, Parrot, red Macaw, 
 
 black Cockatoo's tail, Gallina, Mallard, and a topping. 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 An old standard on most Scotch rivers. 
 
 * Named after an Edinburgh gentleman who, in former days, was one of 
 the best Anglers on the Tweed. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 175 
 
 THE JONAH. G.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and golden-yellow silk. 
 TAIL. A topping and Chatterer. 
 BUTT. Scarlet wool. 
 BODY. Silver tinsel (flat). 
 EIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 THROAT. Light blue hackle and Gallina. 
 WINGS. Fine Peacock's herl (plenty), from extremity of eyed feather, 
 
 and two narrow strips of Ibis above. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Scarlet wool. 
 
 A -favourite Autumn fly. 
 
 THE JUNGLE HORNET. G.S. 
 
 (Grub.) (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Gold twist (plenty). 
 TAIL. Ibis (two strips). 
 BUTT. No. 1 hackle, a coch-a-bonddu, slightly tinged in Bismarck 
 
 brown, cheeked with Jungle. 
 BODY. Twelve alternate coils of yellow and black chenille. No. 2, hackle 
 
 in centre, and No. 3, at head, as before, cheeked. 
 This Grub (illustrated), a vast improvement on " Ajax," is far more 
 successful for general purposes than any of its kind. It is easily varied 
 for all rivers. The tail may be composed of yellow Macaw, with or 
 without Summer Duck. The body, instead of yellow, may have either 
 blue or red chenille. Taking the last five seasons, this fly has killed for 
 me twenty-seven Salmon. One day in the year 1882 while fishing the 
 Bryn stream above the town of Usk, I caught two Salmon with it 
 averaging 28 Ibs. in weight. The fly may be dressed either large or 
 small ; and is very useful when the water is slightly coloured. 
 
17G THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 KATE. G.S. 
 
 (MRS. COURTNEY.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and light yellow silk. 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Two turns of crimson silk, and crimson Seal's fur. 
 RIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 HACKLE. Crimson, from second turn. 
 THROAT. Light yellow hackle. 
 WINGS. (Thin) Grey Mallard, and tippet strands, Bustard, Golden 
 
 Pheasant tail, Swan dyed light yellow, crimson, and light blue ; 
 
 Mallard and a topping. 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 
 One of the best flies on the Tyne. 
 
 THE KENDLE. G.S. 
 
 (BASIL FIELD.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist. 
 
 TAIL. Two toppings and Chatterer. 
 
 BODY. White silk, bound closely with a thin strip of gold-beater skin 
 
 about the width of the broadest tinsel, each join being covered 
 
 with fine gold tinsel (about eight turns in one inch). 
 THROAT. Yellow hackle (or yellow Macaw for large hooks) and a blue 
 
 hackle over it (or Gallina dyed blue for large hooks). 
 WINGS. Swan dyed blue and yellow, Bustard, Golden Pheasant tail, with 
 
 an upper and lower strip of Teal. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 One of Mr. Field's best patterns. It is an old favourite on the Test, 
 and is often useful on many other rivers. On the upper part of the Wye 
 I once had five Salmon with this fly, fishing between the hours of five 
 and seven in the evening. 
 
Plate 4-. 
 
 BLUEBELL 
 
 THE 'CAPTAIN 
 
 THE CHATTERER 
 
 GREENWELL 
 
 THE DANDY 
 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 177 
 
 THE KILLARNEY PET. G.S. 
 
 (Mrs. COURTNEY.) 
 
 TAG. Gold twist and crimson silk. 
 TAIL. A topping, Summer Duck, and tippet strands. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Light yellow silk, and light orange silk, equally divided. 
 KIBS. Gold tinsel (oval). 
 HACKLE. Jay, from second turn. 
 THROAT. Light orange hackle. 
 WINGS. Tippet (strands), Golden Pheasant tail, Bustard, Summer 
 
 Duck, Swan dyed crimson, yellow, blue and orange ; red Macaw, 
 
 and Mallard. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 One of the best patterns for the Suir. 
 
 KING ALFRED. S.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and blue silk. 
 TAIL. Toucan, tippet strands, and Teal. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 BODY. Two turns of silver tinsel, three turns of red-claret silk, four 
 
 turns of gold tinsel, five turns of dark blue silk (or in such 
 
 proportions) . 
 
 KIBS. Silver tinsel (fine, oval). 
 HACKLE. Blue, from gold tinsel. 
 THROAT. Jay. 
 WINGS. Underwing (long) Amherst Pheasant tail, and Golden Pheasant 
 
 tippet strands ; two long Jungle, and two shorter (understood as 
 
 " double Jungle ") and three toppings. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 
 The special use of this pattern is referred to on page 244. 
 
 N 
 
178 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 KITTY. G.S. 
 
 (KKLSON.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist. 
 TAIL. Toucan and Teal. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Two turns of red silk, followed by red Seal's fur. 
 RIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 HACKLE. Eed hackle, from centre. 
 THROAT. Two turns of Gallina. 
 
 WINGS. Teal and Peacock wing in strands ; Mallard, and a topping. 
 HORNS. Amherst Pheasant, and red Macaw. 
 
 Lochy, Spean, and Ness. 
 
 LADY BELL. S.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Gold twist and gold silk. 
 
 TAIL. A topping and Indian Crow. 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. In two sections : No. 1, gold embossed tinsel, ribbed with silver 
 tinsel (oval, fine), butted with two small toppings above and 
 below, and black herl ; No. 2, gold silk, ribbed with black purse 
 silk (fine) and gold tinsel (oval) alongside it. 
 
 THROAT. Eed and yellow Macaw. 
 
 WINGS. Two strips of Swan dyed gold, and three toppings. 
 
 CHEEKS. Indian Crow. 
 
 HORNS. Blue and red Macaw. 
 
 On those rivers where dark flies are used on bright days and fail, I have 
 many times witnessed the success of this pattern. 
 
 LADY BLANCHE. G.S. 
 
 (BERNARD.) 
 
 TAG. Gold twist and yellow silk. 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 179 
 
 BODY. Blue silk. 
 
 BIBS. Gold tinsel (oval). 
 
 HACKLE. Jay, from third turn. 
 
 WINGS. Tippet strands, Teal, Summer Duck, Mallard, and a topping. 
 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 A very old standard pattern. 
 
 LADY CAROLINE. G.S. 
 
 TAIL. Golden Pheasant red-breast, a few strands only. 
 
 BODY. Brown and olive-green Berlin wool mixed together in proportion 
 
 of one part olive-green, two parts brown. 
 RIBS. From separate starting points, of gold tinsel (narrow), gold twist, 
 
 and silver twist, wound the usual way, an equal distance apart. 
 HACKLE. Grey Heron, from tail (tied in at the point as usual) wound 
 
 alongside gold tinsel. 
 
 THROAT. Golden Pheasant red-breast, two turns. 
 WINGS. Two strips of Mallard showing brown points and light roots. 
 
 An old standard Spey fly. See the " Green King." 
 
 LADY D'ERESBY. G.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and light blue silk. 
 TAIL. Toucan and Amherst Pheasant. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Yellow silk, red-orange, and black Seal's fur all in equal parts. 
 EIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 HACKLE. Light blue, from black Seal's fur. 
 THROAT. Jay. 
 
 * N 2 
 
180 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 WINGS. Golden Pheasant tippet and tail in strands, Auiherst Pheasant, 
 Bustard, grey Mallard, Widgeon, two strips of brown Mallard 
 above and a topping. 
 
 HOENS. Blue Macaw. 
 
 LADY GRACE. G.S. 
 
 (GABDKH.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist. 
 
 TAIL. Bed-breast feather of Golden Pheasant (point). 
 
 BODY. Light orange, red-orange, claret and blue Seal's furs. 
 
 RIBS. Silver tinsel. 
 
 HACKLE. Gallina dyed yellow, from claret fur. 
 
 THROAT. Light orange hackle. 
 
 WINGS. Two strips of Swan dyed yellow. 
 
 A famous low water fly on the Dee. 
 
 THE LEE BLUE. G.S. 
 
 (HAYNKS.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow wool. 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 BODY. Blue Seal's fur. 
 RIBS. Silver tinsel (oval, fine). 
 HACKLE. A blue hackle, from second turn. 
 THROAT. A yellow hackle. 
 WINGS. Tippet (strands), Golden Pheasant tail, dark mottled Turkey, 
 
 Swan dyed yellow and blue ; and Mallard above. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 A very old standard on the Lee. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 181 
 
 LEE BLUE AND GREY. G.S. 
 
 (HAYNES.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow wool. 
 TAIL. A topping and Indian Crow. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 BODY. In two equal divisions of blue Seal's fur with a blue hackle along 
 
 it, and silver Monkey with an Irish-grey hackle. 
 KIBS. Silver tinsel. 
 THROAT. A yellow hackle. 
 WINGS. Tippet (strands), Bustard, Golden Pheasant tail, Summer Duck, 
 
 Swan dyed yellow, red, and blue ; Mallard, and two toppings. 
 CHEEKS. Chatterer. 
 HORNS. Amherst Pheasant. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 One of the oldest standards on the Lee. 
 
 THE LEMON GREY. G.S. 
 
 (JEWHURST.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk. 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Silver Monkey (modern), Kabbit fur (ancient). 
 BIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 HACKLE. An Irish-grey hackle (modern), a natural blue-dun (ancient), 
 
 from second turn. 
 
 THROAT. A yellow hackle (modern), a lemon hackle (ancient). 
 WINGS. Tippet in strands, Teal, Gallina, Mallard, and a topping. 
 
 According to my Father's notes dated 1833, this fly was dressed in 
 Ireland with a claret hackle under the lemon throat, and \vith horns of 
 blue Macaw. It is one of the best flies on the Shannon and Lee and 
 a great favourite on most rivers, especially in Ireland. 
 
182 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 LEIGH'S SUN FLY. S.S. 
 
 (C. AUSTKN-IdUOH.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and pink silk. 
 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Evenly divided coils (wasp fashion) of yellow, majenta, light blue, 
 
 plum-claret and dark blue Berlin wools. 
 BIBS. Silver lace. 
 
 THROAT. Light blue hackle and Jay. 
 WINGS. Four toppings. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 An excellent fly in very bright weather on the Inver, Usk, Tweed, Spey, 
 Blackwater, Boyne, Test, and Wye, etc. 
 
 THE LION. G.S. 
 
 (WRIGHT.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk. 
 TAIL . Topping. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 BODY. Silver tinsel (flat), one fifth part at the throat being reserved 
 
 for scarlet Seal's fur. 
 KIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 HACKLE. Natural black, from second turn. 
 THROAT. Gallina. 
 WINGS. Tippet, sword feather of Golden Pheasant, and Peacock herl, in 
 
 strands. Yellow Macaw, red Macaw, Bustard, Golden Pheasant 
 
 tail, Teal, Gallina, Mallard, and a topping. 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 HOENS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black wool. 
 
 RIVERS : Tay, Tweed, Lyon, Spey, Lochy, with bright Jungle ; Usk, 
 Findhorn, and Erne with dull Jungle. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 183 
 
 THE LITTLE KELLY. G.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Gold twist. 
 TAIL. A topping and Ibis. 
 BODY. Dirty yellow Seal's fur. 
 RIBS. Silver tinsel (the original pattern which I introduced myself on 
 
 the Usk, years since, in company with " Harry Giles," was made 
 
 with gold ribs) . 
 
 THROAT. A coch-a-bonddu hackle. 
 WINGS. Peacock herl. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw (originally red Macaw). 
 
 This fly holds a high reputation on the Tweed for Summer use, and is an 
 
 old standard on the Usk. 
 
 THE LIZZIE. G.S. 
 
 (W. GARDEN.) 
 TAG. Silver twist. 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 
 BODY. Green, yellow, violet, and crimson Seal's fur, equally divided. 
 KIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 HACKLE. Blue hackle, from yellow fur. 
 WINGS. Tippet strands ; Gallina, Swan dyed light blue, yellow, and 
 
 crimson, Mallard, and a topping. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 
 A good bright water fly in Summer on the Dee. It is also a great 
 favourite on the Lochy when dressed on small double hooks. 
 
 THE LOGIE. G.S. 
 
 (W. BROWN.) 
 TAG. Silver twist. 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 
> 
 
 184 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 BODY. Dark claret silk. 
 
 BIBS.- Silver tinsel (oval). 
 
 THROAT. Light blue hackle. 
 
 WINGS. Two strips of Swan dyed yellow, veiled with broad strips of 
 
 Mallard. 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 
 An excellent Summer pattern in dull weather on the Dee. It is dressed 
 
 on small double hooks. 
 
 LORD HENRY. G.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and light red-claret Seal's fur. 
 TAIL. Topping and Ibis. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 BODY. The first half, equal proportions of canary, orange, and fiery 
 
 brown Seal's fur respectively ; the rest, blue Seal's fur with a 
 
 blue hackle along it. 
 THROAT. Jay. , 
 
 RIBS. -Silver tinsel. 
 WINGS. Two tippets (back to back) strips of silver speckled Turkey, 
 
 married strips of Teal and Swan dyed orange and red-claret ; and 
 
 a topping. 
 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 EIVERS : Earn, Lee (Macroom district), Spey, and, when dressed small, 
 a useful fly in summer on the Usk. 
 
 LORNE. G.S. 
 
 (BERNARD.) 
 
 TAG. Gold twist and orange silk. 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 185 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. In three equal sections of " Green Macaw " silk, ribbed with 
 
 fine gold tinsel ; each section butted above and below with fibres 
 
 of Parrot, followed by black herl. 
 THROAT. Parrot hackle. 
 
 WINGS. Golden Pheasant tail, Gallina, Summer Duck, and a topping. 
 HORNS. Red as well as blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 It is remarkable that the only Salmon ever known to have been 
 taken in the river Trent fell victim to a green body. In a letter I received, 
 from Gainsborough a few years since the Eev. H. Caferata says : " The 
 evidence you gave at the House of Lords the other day (re the Trent 
 Navigation Bill) in regard to our Salmon exactly coincided with my own 
 opinions. There is no doubt whatever that several reaches of our river 
 could be rendered suitable to meet the exigencies of fly-fishing. The 
 Trent being void of many natural catches is the very reason why artificial 
 ones should be established ; and then, after a year or two, we should soon 
 teach the fish to rise to and take flies. I have made every enquiry in 
 connection with the opinion you ventured to offer, and I find that a 
 Salmon has been taken not far from this town with a fly. . . But is 
 it not curious that, considering there are so few rivers where green flies 
 pay, that the only Trent Salmon known to have been caught with a fly, 
 should have been taken with one of them ? " 
 
 LOUISE. G.S. 
 
 (BERNARD.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and pink silk. 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 BODY. In three sections butted with black herl: No. 1, light lilac silk; 
 
 No. 2, dark lilac or slate coloured silk ; No. 3, pink silk. 
 RIBS. Silver tinsel (fine). 
 HACKLE. From third butt, a natural straw coloured coch-a-bonddu. 
 
186 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 WINGS. Gallina, Summer Duck, Swan dyed red-claret and yellow, Golden 
 
 Pheasant tail and tippet, and a topping. 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 A favourite in Ireland and a general fly on the Hampshire Avon. 
 
 THE LOVAT FLY. G.S. 
 
 (LORD LOVAT.) 
 TAG. Silver twist. 
 
 TAIL. Point of the red-breast of Golden Pheasant. 
 BODY. Two turns of yellow Berlin wool, followed by blue Berlin wool. 
 RIBS. Silver tinsel (broad). 
 HACKLE. Black hackle, from yellow fur. 
 WINGS. Bronze Peacock's herl. 
 HEAD. Yellow mohair, picked out. 
 
 One of the best spring patterns on the Beauly. 
 
 THE MAJOR. G.S. 
 
 (Rev. A. WILLIAMS.) 
 TAG. Gold twist and scarlet silk. 
 TAIL. A topping, Teal, and Ibis. 
 BODY. Light blue, yellow, claret, and dark blue Seal's fur, equally 
 
 divided. 
 
 RIBS. Silver tinsel and gold lace. 
 HACKLE. Claret hackle, from claret fur. 
 THROAT. Scarlet hackle and Gallina. 
 WINGS. One tippet, backed with a claret hackle veiled with a Snipe 
 
 feather on each side, Bustard, Ibis, Swan dyed yellow, and a 
 
 topping. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 
 The first fancy fly used on the Usk and a universal favourite of to-day. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 187 
 
 THE MANDARIN DRAKE. G.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Gold twist and yellow silk. 
 
 TAIL. A topping and tippet strands. 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. In two equal sections : No. 1, yellow Seal's fur, ribbed with gold 
 tinsel, and with a small yellow hackle from second turn ; having 
 two strips of Mandarin Drake (white tipped) to form one set of 
 body wings : No. 2, dark blue Seal's fur, ribbed with broad gold 
 tinsel, and with a light blue hackle from second turn. 
 
 THROAT. Jay. 
 
 WINGS. Two strips (a trifle longer than -the others) of Mandarin Drake 
 (white tipped). 
 
 This double strip-winged fly is a superb pattern on the Earn. It takes 
 after the style introduced on the Dee by Garden of Aberdeen. 
 
 MARCH BROWN. G.S. 
 
 TAG. Gold twist. 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 BODY. Silver Monkey's fur and a little dirty-orange Seal's fur, mixed 
 
 together. 
 
 Kins. Gold tinsel (oval). 
 THROAT. Partridge hackle. 
 WINGS. Hen Pheasant tail. 
 
 An old standard fly on the Dee, Usk, etc. It is dressed on small 
 
 double hooks. 
 
 MAR LODGE. G.S. 
 
 (JOHN LAMONT.) 
 TAG. Silver tinsel. 
 
 TAIL. A topping, and points of two small Jungle above, back to back. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
188 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 BODY. In three equal sections : No. 1 and No. 3 of silver tinsel ; centre 
 
 of black silk. 
 THROAT. Gallina. 
 WINGS. Underwing of married strips of Swan dyed yellow, red, and blue ; 
 
 strips of Peacock wing, Summer Duck, grey Mallard, dark mottled 
 
 Turkey, Golden Pheasant tail, and a topping. 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black wool. 
 
 A favourite Dee pattern. The inventor writes : " 1893, Her Eoyal 
 Highness the Duchess of Fife has been most successful with the ' Mar 
 Lodge ' fly. Apply to Garden, Aberdeen." 
 
 THE MCMILLAN. G.S. 
 
 (NicoL McNicOL.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk. 
 TAIL. A topping and Indian Crow. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 BODY. In two equal sections : No. 1, Silver tinsel, butted with Parrot 
 
 above and below and black herl : No. 2, gold tinsel with a gold 
 
 hackle from centre butt. 
 
 THROAT. A green hackle (matching Parrot in tone). 
 RIBS. Gold tinsel (oval) from centre. 
 
 RIVERS : Thurso, Forss, Halladale, Helmsdale and Naver. 
 
 THE MEMBER. G.S. 
 
 (DAVID MURRAY.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk. 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 BODY. Chocolate silk. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 189 
 
 RIBS. Silver tinsel. 
 
 HACKLE. Light orange hackle (one-fourth of body). 
 
 WINGS. Tippet, Golden Pheasant tail, Pintail and a topping. 
 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 
 HEAD. Two turns of hackle same as before. 
 
 A useful North Esk pattern. 
 
 MISS GRANT. G.S. 
 
 (JOHN SHANKS.) 
 TAG. Silver twist. 
 TAIL. Teal, in strands. 
 
 BODY. Two turns of orange silk followed by olive green Berlin wool. 
 RIBS . Silver tinsel. 
 
 HACKLE. Grey Heron, from second turn. 
 WINGS. Two strips of Golden Pheasant tail. 
 
 A modern Spey pattern. 
 
 MORAY DOONE. G.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and pink silk. 
 TAIL. A topping, Peacock wing and Summer Duck. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 BODY. Quill dyed yellow, with four turns of red-orange Seal's fur at 
 
 throat. 
 
 RIBS. Silver tinsel (oval, narrow) and silver tinsel (flat, broad). 
 HACKLE. A silver coch-a-bonddu from second turn ; hen Pheasant hackle 
 
 dyed yellow from Seal's fur. 
 THROAT. Widgeon. 
 WINGS. Two tippets (back to back), two extending Jungle (one on each 
 
 side), Swan dyed yellow and red-orange, and two toppings. 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 
190 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 A good early fly on the Dee, Spey, etc. 
 
 MRS. GRANT. G.S. 
 
 (Major GRANT.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk. 
 TAIL. A topping and Indian Crow. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 * 
 
 BODY. Copper tinselled chenille. 
 
 HACKLE. A red Spey-cock hackle, from centre. 
 
 THROAT. Jay. 
 
 WINGS. Tippet strands, Bustard, Golden Pheasant tail, light mottled 
 
 Turkey, grey Mallard, and a topping. 
 HORNS. Red Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 A modern standard on the Spey. 
 
 MY QUEEN. G.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Gold twist and light blue silk. 
 TAIL. A topping and Chatterer. 
 BUTT. Eed Pig's wool, well picked out. 
 BODY. Gold embossed tinsel. 
 RIBS. Gold tinsel (oval). 
 
 HACKLE. A natural black hackle, from second turn. 
 THROAT. Jay. 
 WINGS. Six toppings. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Red Pig's wool, well picked out. 
 
 A useful pattern on bright days for still deep sheltered pools. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 191 
 
 THE MYSTERY. G.S. 
 
 (MICHAEL MAHER.) 
 TAG. Silver twist and gold silk. 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 BODY. Gold silk. 
 KIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 HACKLE. Natm'al blue-dun, from second turn. 
 THROAT. A claret hackle. 
 
 WINGS. Two strips Swan dyed yellow and a topping. 
 HORNS. Eed Macaw. 
 CHEEKS. Chatterer. 
 
 With this pattern the inventor killed his memorable Salmon weigh- 
 ing 57 Ibs. in the Suir. The fly is very popular in the neighbourhood of 
 Cashel. 
 
 THE NAMSEN. . G.S. 
 
 (KATE DALY.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow Seal's fur. 
 TAIL. A topping and Indian Crow. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Ked-orange, dark blue, and claret Seal's fur, equally divided. 
 RIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 HACKLE. Dark blue on dark blue Seal's fur, and dark claret on the 
 
 claret. 
 
 THROAT. Gallina. 
 WINGS. An extended red breast Golden Pheasant (best side down) ; 
 
 Golden Pheasant tail (in strands principally) ; light Bustard and 
 
 Gallina. 
 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black wool. 
 
 An old standard high water fly on the Sundal dressed from No. 3/0 to 7/0 
 
 (Courtney, Killarney) . 
 
192 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 NAPOLEON. G.S. 
 
 (COURTNEY.) 
 TAG. Silver twist and red wool. 
 
 TAIL. A topping and Indian Crow. 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. In two sections: No. 1, of blue silk, forming one-third, ribbed 
 
 with fine silver tinsel and butted with a claret hackle. No. 2, 
 
 silver Monkey, ribbed with gold tinsel. 
 HACKLE. An Irish-grey hackle, from blue silk. 
 THROAT. A yellow, a claret, and a light blue hackle. 
 WINGS. Tippet (strands) Golden Pheasant tail ; Swan dyed blue, yellow, 
 
 and claret, Bustard, Mallard, and a topping. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 CHEEKS. Indian Crow. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 One of the old Lee patterns, and in general use in the Spring of 1893. 
 The " Blue-grey-and-brown " is a variation of this fly. 
 
 NIAGARA. G.S. 
 
 (TURNBULL.) 
 
 TAG. Gold twist and black silk. 
 
 TAIL. Two strands of Amherst Pheasant (long). 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. In four equal sections of silk : No. 1, yellow, butted with yellow 
 
 hackle ; No. 2, pea-green, butted with pea-green hackle ; No. 
 
 3, red, butted with red hackle ; No. 4, dark blue. 
 RIBS. First three sections gold tinsel (oval, fine) ; silver tinsel (oval, 
 
 fine) over dark blue. 
 
 THROAT. Dark orange hackle and black Heron. 
 WINGS. Two natural black, shin}', saddle hackles (back to back) veiled 
 
 with Teal, Bustard, tail of Golden Turkey (North America), 
 
 Mallard, and two toppings. 
 SIDES. Summer Duck. 
 HORNS. Eed Macaw. 
 HEAD. Eed wool (small). 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 193 
 
 N TOOL'S FAVOURITE. G.S. 
 
 (Nicm Me NICOL.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk. 
 TAIL. A topping and blue Chatterer. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 BODY. Silver tinsel. 
 KIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 HACKLE. Yellow, from mid-way. 
 THROAT. Unbarred Summer Duck. 
 WINGS. Yellow mohair and a topping. 
 SIDES. Large Chatterer and Jungle over. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 
 A killing fly in peat or porter coloured water in all rivers North of the 
 
 Grampians. 
 
 NIGHTSHADE. G.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and pink silk. 
 TAIL. Orange Toucan and red Toucan. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Light red-orange and dark red-orange Pig's wool. 
 RIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 HACKLE. From dark red-orange wool (half-way) a Vulture hackle (or a 
 
 small Eagle or hen Pheasant hackle), dyed dark red-orange. 
 THROAT. Black Partridge (grey speckled). 
 WINGS. Two strips of black and white mottled Turkey. 
 
 A good late evening pattern. 
 
 THE ORANGE GUINEA HEN. G.S. 
 
 (EXBIOHT.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and dark blue silk. 
 TAIL. Toucan and Indian Crow. 
 
 O 
 
194 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Orange silk. 
 
 BIBS. Silver tinsel. 
 
 THROAT. Gallina. 
 
 WINGS. Tippet strands, Gallina, Ibis, powdered blue and yellow Macaw, 
 
 and Mallard. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 THE PEACOCK FLY. G.S. 
 
 (WRIGHT.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist. 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 
 BODY. Yellow and black silk in equal divisions. 
 KIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 HACKLE. Natural black, from centre. 
 THROAT. Jay. 
 
 WINGS. Tippet; Peacock, sword feather; Gallina, Teal, and Summer 
 Duck. 
 
 An old standard on the Lochy and Spean. 
 
 THE PEARL. G.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Gold twist. 
 
 TAIL. Toucan, Teal, and Chatterer (small). 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 BODY. In two sections : No. 1, silver embossed tinsel, butted with Indian 
 
 Crow above and below, and black herl ; No. 2, black silk, ribbed 
 
 with gold oval tinsel, and a natural black hackle along it. 
 THROAT. Jay. 
 WINGS. Tippet, Teal, and Peacock wing in strands ; Golden Pheasant 
 
 tail, Amherst Pheasant, dark Bustard, Swan dyed blue, yellow, 
 
 and red ; Mallard and a topping. 
 CHEEKS. Chatterer. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 195 
 
 PENPERGWM PET. G.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow Seal's fur. 
 
 TAIL. Summer Duck, strands, varying in length, of Ibis; and Indian 
 Crow. 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Yellow, crimson-rnajenta, Mouse, and plum-claret Seal's fur, in 
 equal divisions. 
 
 RIBS. Silver twist. 
 
 HACKLE. A coch-a-bonddu slightly tinged in Bismarck brown, from 
 second turn. 
 
 WINGS. Double white Turkey, ginger speckled Turkey, Bustard, Mallard, 
 black Cockatoo's tail, red Macaw, powdered blue Macaw, Parrot, 
 and Teal, all in double strands. Two strips of rich brown 
 Turkey above, having black bars and white points. 
 
 CHEEKS. Chatterer. 
 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 This is one of the most successful flies on the Usk. 
 
 PITCROY FANCY. G.S. 
 
 (TURNBULL.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist. 
 
 TAIL. A topping and strands of tippet. 
 
 BUTT. Scarlet wool. 
 
 BODY. Silver tinsel. 
 
 RIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 
 HACKLE. Grey Heron, from centre. 
 
 THROAT. Gallina. 
 
 WINGS. Tippet (large strips), light mottled Turkey, Pintail, Mallard, 
 
 and a topping. 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 HEAD. Scarlet wool. 
 
 A modern Spey standard. 
 
 o2 
 
196 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 THE POPHAM. G.S. 
 
 (F. L. POPIIAM.) 
 TAG. Gold twist (plenty). 
 TAIL. A topping and Indian Crow. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 BODY. In three equal sections : No. 1, dark red-orange silk, ribbed with 
 
 gold tinsel (fine) , butted with Indian Crow above and below, and 
 
 black herl ; No. 2; yellow silk, ribbed and butted as before ; 
 
 No. 3, light blue silk, ribbed with silver tinsel (oval), and Indian 
 
 Crow above and below. 
 
 THROAT. Jay. ; 
 
 WINGS. Golden Pheasant tippet and tail, Gallina, Parrot, light brown 
 
 mottled Turkey, red Macaw, Bustard, Mallard, and a topping. 
 CHEEKS. Chatterer. 
 HOENS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 A very useful old Standard pattern. 
 
 POWELL'S FANCY. G.S. 
 
 (POWELL. 
 
 TAG. Gold twist and dark blue silk. 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 BODY. Red-orange Seal's fur. 
 BJBS. Gold tinsel (oval). 
 HACKLE. Red-orange, from second turn. 
 THROAT. Jay. 
 WINGS. Tippet strands, Swan dyed yellow, red-orange and dark blue 
 
 Peacock wing, Bustard ; dark mottled Turkey, Gallina and 
 
 Mallard. 
 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black wool. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 197 
 
 PRINCE'S MIXTURE. G.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk. 
 
 TAIL. A topping, two strands blue Macaw, and a small blue Chatterer. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 BODY. Silver tinsel (flat) in two equal sections, the first butted with 
 
 Toucan under Indian Crow, followed by black herl ; at the throat 
 
 repeat Toucan and Indian Crow, and add a Jay hackle. 
 WINGS. Amherst Pheasant, Golden Pheasant tail, and black Cockatoo 
 
 tail in strands. Swan dyed blue and scarlet, Teal, Bustard, two 
 
 strips of Mallard and a topping. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 THE PURPLE EMPEROR. G.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk. 
 
 TAIL. Tourocou, strands of Summer Duck and powdered blue Macaw. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 BODY. Silver tinsel (oval, fine) with four turns of violet Seal's fur at 
 
 throat. 
 
 EIBS. Gold tinsel (oval). 
 HACKLE. A silver coch-a-bonddu from butt. 
 THROAT. A hen Pheasant dyed yellow. 
 WINGS. Two Jungle (back to back), Widgeon, Swan dyed yellow, Golden 
 
 Pheasant tail, Tourocou, grey Mallard and a topping. 
 
 This is a capital fly on the Spey early in the year. At Wester 
 Elchies, in May, 1891, I was fortunate in getting " the fish of the river " 
 with it for the season ; and, on the water above, at Knockando in 1892, 
 followed up this success with a Salmon of 33 Ibs. in weight. In bright 
 weather and water the throat is better of Teal. 
 
198 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 THE PURPLE KING. G.S. 
 
 BODY. Blue and red Berlin wool mixed together proportion, one part 
 
 blue, two parts red. 
 RIBS. From far side, gold ; from near side silver tinsel (narrow) wound 
 
 the reverse way an equal distance apart. 
 HACKLE. A red Spey-cock hackle, from end of body, but wound in 
 
 the usual way from the root of the feather instead of from the 
 
 point, thus crossing over the ribs at each turn given. 
 THROAT. Teal, one turn only. 
 WINGS. Two strips of Mallard showing brown points and light roots. 
 
 SPECIAL NOTE. An old standard Spey fly which, for general work is the 
 best of the " Kings." . . . See the " Green King." 
 
 QUEEN OF SPRING. G.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and canary silk. 
 TAIL. A topping and Summer Duck. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY.- Silver tinsel and black silk equally divided. 
 RIBS. Gold lace and silver tinsel. 
 HACKLE. Black, from silver tinsel. 
 THROAT. Jay. 
 WINGS. Tippet, Amherst Pheasant and Golden Pheasant tail, grey 
 
 Mallard, Swan dyed canary, red and light blue ; Mallard and 
 
 two toppings. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 CHEEKS. Chatterer. 
 
 In the Autumn this fly is 'dressed with gold twist and gold tinsel 
 (body) and is known as the " Queen of Autumn." It is a favourite of mine 
 on most rivers, and a very old pattern. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 199 
 
 THE QUILLED EAGLE. G.S. 
 
 (KELSOJI.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and quill dyed yellow. 
 
 TAIL. A topping, and two strands of Peacock herl (sword feather) of 
 
 Bustard and Ibis. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 BODY. Quill dyed yellow, leaving space for four turns of orange Seal's 
 
 fur at the throat. 
 EIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 HACKLE. A grey Eagle hackle, from centre. 
 THROAT. Gallina (spotted feather). 
 WINGS. Two tippets (back to back) veiled with extending Jungle, a strip 
 
 of Ibis and Bustard, and a topping. 
 SIDES. Jungle (to centre of former pair). 
 
 I rarely use any other " Eagle " but this, though I sometimes dress it 
 with a yellow instead of a grey hackle. 
 
 RAY MEAD. G.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and light blue silk. 
 TAIL. A topping, Ibis and Summer Duck. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. One-fourth of yellow silk, followed by silver tinsel (oval). 
 EIBS. Gold tinsel (oval). 
 HACKLE. Large Irish-grey from oval tinsel. 
 THROAT. Teal, three turns. 
 WINGS. Alternate narrow strips of Swan dyed yellow and black, married'; 
 
 Summer Duck and a topping. 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 CHEEKS. Chatterer. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 
 One of my oldest and most successful patterns at the present time. 
 
200 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 THE RED DRAKE. G.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Gold twist and light blue silk. 
 TAIL. Toucan, Ibis, and Amherst Pheasant. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 BODY. One third of buttercup silk and black silk, having a red-orange 
 
 hackle down it. 
 THROAT. Jay. 
 EIBS. Gold tinsel (oval). 
 WINGS. Two spreading strips of the Mandarin Drake, white tipped (a 
 
 fair imitation is occasionally found on the domestic Mallard) and 
 
 a topping. 
 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 Used on the Earn, Aberdeenshire Dee, Teviot, Blackwater (Mallow 
 
 district), Usk and Wye. 
 
 THE RED KING. G.S. 
 
 BODY. Eed Berlin wool (brick colour). 
 
 RIBS. Gold from far side, silver tinsel (narrow) from near side, wound 
 
 the reverse way an equal distance apart. 
 HACKLE. A red Spey-cock hackle from end of body, but wound in the 
 
 usual direction from the root instead of from the point, thus 
 
 crossing over the ribs at each turn given. 
 THROAT. Teal, one turn only. 
 WINGS. Two strips of Mallard, showing brown points and light roots. 
 
 An old standard Spey fly. See the " Green King." 
 
 THE RED ROVER. G.S. 
 
 (DAVIE MURRAY.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk. 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 201 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Majenta Berlin wool. 
 
 EIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 
 HACKLE. Yellow hackle, from second turn. 
 
 THROAT. A red hackle. 
 
 WINGS. Tippet, Peacock wing, Bustard, Swan dyed red, Golden Pheasant 
 
 tail, and a topping. 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 
 An old standard on the North-east coast of Scotland. 
 
 THE RED SANDY. G.S. 
 
 (NICOL Me NICOL.) 
 TAG. Silver twist. 
 TAIL. A topping and Indian Crow. 
 BUTT. Scarlet wool. 
 BODY. In two sections of silver tinsel (oval), No. 1 butted with Indian 
 
 'Crow and scarlet wool. 
 HACKLE. Scarlet, along No. 2 section. 
 WINGS. Indian Crow four double feathers overlapping each other and 
 
 enveloping extended Jungle (back to back), and two toppings. 
 HORNS. Eed Macaw. 
 HEAD. Scarlet wool. 
 
 A good fly on the Halladale ; and highly prized in Iceland. 
 
 THE RINGLET. S.S. 
 
 (Grub.) (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Gold twist (eight turns). 
 BODY. Amber coloured chenille. 
 
 HACKLES. Five monkey hackles in equal divisions increasing in size an 
 bulk. No. 1 forms the butt, and No. 5 the Head. 
 
 EIVERS : Wherever Grubs are fashionable (best size 1/0 hook). 
 
202 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 THE RIVAL. S.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and light blue silk. 
 
 TAIL. Topping, and two strands of unbarred Summer Duck. 
 
 BUTT. Blue herl. 
 
 BODY. Silver tinsel. 
 
 BIBS.- Silver tinsel (oval). 
 
 HACKLE. Natural black along body. 
 
 THROAT. Jay. 
 
 WIXGS. Tippet, Pea.cock wing, and Gallina strands ; Mallard strips and 
 
 a topping. 
 
 CHEEKS. Chatterer. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Blue herl. 
 
 A useful pattern on all rivers in reflected light. It is dressed on small 
 
 double hooks. 
 
 ROCKE'S FANCY. G.S. 
 
 (Colonel ROCKE.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and blue silk. 
 TAIL. Golden Pheasant sword (point). 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 BODY. Yellow silk. 
 BIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 HACKLE. Yellow hackle, from third turn. 
 THROAT. Bed Macaw. 
 
 WINGS. Two broad strips of yellow Macaw, and a topping. 
 CHEEKS. Chatterer. 
 
 An old standard on the Usk and kills well in the Wye. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 203 
 
 THE ROUGH GROUSE. G.S. 
 
 (CRUIKSUANK'S VARIETY.) 
 
 TAIL. A few fibres of yellow Macaw's hackle. 
 BODY. Black Berlin wool (short). 
 EIBS. Silver tinsel. 
 HACKLE. Grey Heron from third turn. 
 THBOAT. Black and white speckled Turkey. 
 WINGS. Black and white speckled Turkey (strips). 
 
 A splendid fly on the Spey in dull wet weather. The pattern can be 
 varied for other rivers, when it may have either " mixed " or " built 
 wings," and an ordinary Cock's hackle where Heron's do not serve 
 faithfully; but the speckly characteristics in both parts of the fly must be 
 maintained. I have done better with this fly when using the Crown 
 Pigeon instead of Grey Heron. 
 
 ROY NEAL. G.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Gold twist and mouse-coloured Seal's fur. 
 TAIL. Tippet, Ibis and Summer Duck in strands, and two points of Jungle 
 
 (back to back). 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Gold tinsel (oval) three parts, followed by red Seal's fur. 
 EIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 HACKLE. A natural blue-dun, from second turn; and a hen Pheasant 
 
 dyed red, from Seal's fur. 
 WINGS. Two long Jungle (back to back), Swan dyed red and yellow, 
 
 Bustard, Golden Pheasant tail, and two toppings. 
 SIDES. Summer Duck. 
 
 This is one of the best patterns in dirty water. I invariably use it on the 
 Earn, Tweed, Usk, Spey ; and in very high water on the Lochy. 
 
204 . THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 THE SAILOR. G.S. 
 
 (W. BROWN.) 
 TAG. Silver twist. 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 
 BODY. Yellow Seal's fur and blue Seal's fur, equally divided. 
 EIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 HACKLE. Blue, from yellow fur. 
 WINGS. Two strips of Teal and a topping. 
 CHEEKS. Chatterer. 
 HEAD. Blue wool. 
 
 An excellent fly on the Dee in summer. It is cfressed on small double 
 
 hooks. 
 
 SHERBROOK. G.S. 
 
 (W. GARDEN.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and dark yellow silk. 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. One-third dark yellow silk, followed by light blue silk. 
 EIBS. Silver tinsel fine (oval), and silver tinsel (flat). 
 HACKLE. Light blue hackle, from yellow silk. 
 THROAT. Widgeon. 
 WINGS. Bustard, dark mottled Turkey, Golden Pheasant tail, and a 
 
 topping. 
 HORNS. Scarlet Ibis. 
 
 A general standard in summer on the Dee, and a great favourite at 
 
 Braemar. 
 
 THE SHOCKER. G.S. 
 
 (Rev. G. H. NALL.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and crimson silk. 
 TAIL. A topping and Chatterer. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 205 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. In two equal sections of dark blue and crimson silk respectively. 
 
 The blue silk is butted with a small dark blue hackle. 
 THROAT. A coch-a-bonddu tinged in Bismarck brown. 
 EIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 WINGS. Strands of scarlet Ibis, red Macaw and powdered blue Macaw, 
 
 veiled and capped with brown Mallard, and a topping. 
 SIDES. Small Jungle. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 
 EIVERS : Ogne and Birkrem. 
 
 THE SILVER ARDEA. G.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk. 
 TAIL. Golden Bird of Paradise (3). 
 BODY. Silver tinsel. 
 EIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 HACKLE. Bright red-claret (a white coch-a-bonddu dyed in " *Cardinal," 
 
 2288, Woolley & Co., Manchester). 
 THROAT. White Heron, dyed light blue. 
 WINGS. (Mixed) Peacock wing, Bustard, Golden Pheasant tail, Amherst 
 
 Pheasant tail, black and white mottled Turkey, Eed Macaw, Swan 
 
 dyed yellow and blue and a topping. 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 This is the only standard fly having extra long hackles over a silver 
 
 body. 
 
 The " Black Ardea " is simply a variation, the only difference being that 
 the body is made of black silk instead of silver tinsel. 
 
 * If there is any difficulty in using the dye with water, add a little 
 methylated spirits of wine. 
 
206 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 THE SILVER BLUE. G.S. 
 
 (W. BROWN.) 
 TAG. Silver twist. 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 BODY. Silver tinsel. 
 EIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 THROAT. Blue hackle. 
 WINGS. Two broad (double strips) of Teal. 
 HEAD. Blue wool. 
 
 | A capital summer fly in bright sunshine on the Dee. It is dressed on 
 
 small double hooks. 
 
 THE SILVER DOCTOR. G.S. 
 
 (WRIGHT.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk. 
 
 TAIL. A topping (the inventor sometimes adds Chatterer). 
 BUTT. Scarlet wool. 
 BODY. Silver tinsel. 
 EIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 THROAT. A blue hackle and Gallina. 
 WINGS. Strands of tippet, Summer Duck, Pintail, Gold Pheasant tail, 
 
 Swan dyed light yellow and light blue, Bustard, Mallard and a 
 
 topping. 
 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Scarlet Wool. 
 
 A great fly throughout the United Kingdom, to say nothing of its 
 popularity on Norwegian and Canadian rivers. 
 
 THE SILVER GREY. G.S. 
 
 (WRIGHT.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk. 
 TAIL. Topping, two strands blue Macaw, and unbarred Summer Duck. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. '207 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Silver tinsel (flat). 
 
 KIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 
 HACKLE. A silver coch-a-bonddu hackle along the body. 
 
 THROAT. Widgeon. 
 
 WINGS. Golden Pheasant tippet and tail in strands, Bustard, Swan 
 
 dyed yellow, Amherst Pheasant, Gallina, powdered blue Macaw, 
 
 Mallard, grey Mallard, and a topping. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 HEAD. Black Berlin wool. 
 
 This fly is used with success on all rivers. 
 
 THE SILVER SPECTRE. S.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 TAG. Silver tinsel (oval, fine). 
 
 TAIL. Ked Macaw (hackle strips) enveloped in two strips of Summer 
 
 Duck. 
 
 BODY. Silver tinsel (flat). 
 RIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 HACKLES. Three in number, at the butt ; (No. 1) Jay and black herl 
 
 at the centre ; (No. 2) red Macaw butted with black herl at 
 
 throat; (No. 3) black (dyed). 
 WINGS. Copper coloured Peacock's herl. 
 CHEEKS. Blue Chatterer. 
 HORNS. Black Cockatoo's tail. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 My favourite fly for flaked water. 
 
 THE SILVER TEST. G.S. 
 
 (BASIL FIELD.) 
 TAG. Silver twist. 
 
 TAIL. A topping, and a dark topping from the Impeyan Pheasant. 
 
208 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 BUTT. Black berl. 
 
 BODY. Silver tinsel. 
 
 KIBS. Gold lace (fine). 
 
 THROAT. Bed Toucan (undertail) and Gallina dyed blue. 
 
 WINGS. Two strips of Tippet, two strips of Golden Pheasant tail, Teal, 
 
 Mallard, and a topping. 
 CHEEKS. Chatterer. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 One of the best flies on the Test, and well-known in the north. 
 
 SIR HERBERT. G.S. 
 
 (Sir H. MAXWELL.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk. 
 
 TAIL. A topping and Indian Crow. 
 
 BUTT. Green Peacock herl. 
 
 BODY. Gold tinsel (flat) to near the throat, having ribs of gold tinsel 
 
 (oval), and a dark yellow hackle along it; then two or three turns 
 
 of scarlet Seal's fur. 
 THROAT. Crimson hackle. 
 WINGS. Two tippets (closed) at top, spreading slightly over the body at 
 
 bottom ; Bustard, Swan dyed light blue and rose, Turkey strands 
 
 (white tipped), Peacock's herl, and a topping. 
 SIDES. Jungle or Summer Duck. 
 HORNS. Bed Macaw. 
 HEAD. Peacock herl. 
 
 RIVERS : Tweed, Usk, Bkckwater. 
 
 SIR PERCY. G.S. 
 
 (Sir PERCY DYKE.) 
 
 TAG. Gold twist and gold silk. 
 TAIL. A topping and Chatterer. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 209 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Two turns of claret silk, two turns of claret Seal's fur, followed 
 
 by black Seal's fur. 
 EIBS. Gold tinsel (oval). 
 HACKLE. Natural black, from claret fur. 
 THROAT. Jay. 
 
 "\YIXGS. Tippet strands, two strips of Mallard, and a topping. 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 An old standard fly on the Deveron. 
 
 SIR RICHARD. G.S. 
 
 (RVCEOFT.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and orange silk. 
 
 TAIL. A topping and Indian Crow. 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Black silk. 
 
 RIBS. Silver tinsel, and oval tinsel (fine). 
 
 THROAT. Gallina and Jay. 
 
 WINGS. Dark mottled Turkey, Golden Pheasant tail, Peacock wing, 
 
 Parrot, Ibis, Mallard, and a topping. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 CHEEKS. Chatterer. 
 HEAD. Black wool. 
 
 A useful standard on any river. 
 
 THE SKIRMISHER. G.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and light yellow silk. 
 TAIL. Toucan, with two strips of Ibis. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
210 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 BODY. Two turns of light dirty-orange silk, followed by dirty-orange 
 
 Seal's fur, well picked out. 
 EIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 
 THROAT. Coch-a-bonddu hackle tinged in Bismarck brown. 
 WINGS. Golden Pheasant tail and Peacock herl mixed in strands. 
 SIDES. Teal and Ibis (married). 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 EIVERS : Tweed, Usk, Earn, and Don. 
 
 SKIRROW'S FANCY. G.S. 
 
 (Rev. W. SKIRROW.) 
 TAG. Silver twist. 
 TAIL. A topping and Indian Crow. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Two turns of red Seal's fur, followed by blue Seal's fur. 
 EIBS. Silver tinsel. 
 
 HACKLE. Blue hackle, from second turn. 
 THROAT. Jay. 
 WINGS. Doubled strips of Teal. 
 
 An old Tweed pattern much sought after on the Dee when dressed small. 
 
 THE SMITH. O.& 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow 'silk. 
 
 TAIL. A topping and Indian Crow. 
 
 BUTT. A yellow hackle. 
 
 BODY. In three equal sections of silver tinsel (oval) : No. 1, butted with 
 a red hackle ; No. 2, with a light blue hackle ; No. 3 (or throat), 
 Gallina. (Some dressers put silver tinsel and rib it with silver 
 tinsel, oval.) 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 211 
 
 WINGS. Two sword feathers of Golden Pheasant (back to back), grey 
 mottled Turkey, Bustard, Golden Pheasant tail, Swan dyed 
 blue, yellow, and red ; and a topping. 
 
 SIDES. Jungle.* 
 
 One of the oldest patterns on the Tay, the original dressing is unknown. 
 
 * Turnbull's dressing. 
 
 THE SPRING GRUB. G.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and light blue silk. 
 
 TAIL. Ibis and blue Macaw (married). 
 
 BUTT (or No. 1 hackle). A furnace hackle dyed orange. 
 
 BODY. First half of yellow silk, ribbed with black chenille, No. 2 hackle 
 a Vulturine Guinea fowl (natural blue) ; second half, black silk, 
 ribbed with silver tinsel (oval) ; No. 3, or head hackles, a coch- 
 a-bonddu and Gallina dyed dark orange. 
 
 A very old standard on all rivers where Grubs are known. I have used 
 it successfully as early as the first week in May. 
 
 STEVENSON. G.S. 
 
 (WRIGHT.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and light blue silk. 
 TAIL. Topping, and strands of tippet. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Two turns of orange silk, followed by orange Seal's fur. 
 EIBS. Silver lace and silver tinsel. 
 HACKLE. Orange hackle, from orange silk. 
 THROAT. Light blue hackle. 
 
 WINGS. Four double tippets (back to back) enveloping two extended 
 Jungle ; and a topping. 
 
212 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 HOHNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black wool. 
 
 EIVERS : Tweed, Tay, Spey, Don, Wye, Blackwater, and Lochy. 
 
 NOTE. Veil wings with Teal for Wye" and Lochy, and use in tail strands 
 of Summer Duck instead of tippet. 
 
 STRATHSPEY. G.S. 
 
 (KELSOX.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and violet silk. 
 TAIL. Toucan (four feathers) and Teal. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Three turns of yellow Seal's fur, followed by violet Seal's fur. 
 EIBS. Silver tinsel ; and fine silver lace running between each turn. 
 HACKLE. A natural blue coch-a-bonddu (long), tinged in a Bismarck 
 
 brown. 
 
 THROAT. Teal. 
 WINGS. Plain cinnamon Gled (strips) and the point of a small Teal 
 
 feather tied (flat) in between them. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 
 For smooth water. 
 
 THE SUMMER DUCK. G.S. 
 
 (KATE DALY.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow Seal's fur. 
 
 TAIL. Two red-breasts of Golden Pheasant (back to back). 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Light and dark orange (half way) followed by dark claret Seal's 
 
 fur. 
 EIBS. Silver and gold tinsels (oval). 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 213 
 
 HACKLE. A dark claret hackle, from centre. 
 
 THROAT. Blue hackle. 
 
 WINGS. Two red-breasts of Golden Pheasant (back to back) reaching tag, 
 Peacock herl (principally), Golden Pheasant tail, red Macaw, 
 and a topping : veiled, to centre of body, with a Summer Duck 
 feather on each side. 
 
 HEAD. Black wool. 
 
 Tied in sizes varying from No. 4/0 to 7/0, this is a favourite high water 
 fly on the Sundal. (Courtney, Killarney). 
 
 THE SUjSTDAL BLACK. G.S. 
 
 (COURTNEY.) 
 
 TAG. Gold twist and yellow silk. 
 TAIL. Tippet (strands) ; Ibis, and Gallina. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 BODY. Black Seal's fur. 
 EIBS. Gold tinsel (oval). 
 
 HACKLE. A natural black hackle, from second turn. 
 THROAT. A dark blue hackle. 
 WINGS. Two strips of dark mottled Turkey, veiled with two strips of 
 
 the Great Bustard. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 SWEETMEAT. G.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and pink silk. 
 TAIL. Ibis, yellow Macaw and Teal. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Two turns of red chenille, followed by yellow chenille. 
 KIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 
214 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 HACKLE. From red chenille, a white coch-a-bonddu dyed light Bismarck 
 
 brown. 
 
 THROAT. Gallina. 
 WINGS. Two tippets, enveloping two extended red hackles ; veiled with 
 
 grey Mallard, black Cockatoo's tail, and Teal ; Mallard and a 
 
 topping. 
 
 CHEEKS. Indian Crow and Tanager, xespectively. 
 HORNS. Bed Macaw. 
 
 One of the original fancy flies on the Usk and a useful pattern at the 
 present time on most rivers. 
 
 TAITE'S FANCY. G.S. 
 
 (TAITE.> 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and blue silk. 
 
 TAIL. Topping and Toucan. 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Silver tinsel (flat). 
 
 RIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 
 HACKLE. Claret, from second turn of ribs. 
 
 THROAT. Blue hackle. 
 
 WINGS. Hen Pheasant tail, Peacock wing, Swan dyed red-orange, Golden 
 
 Pheasant tail, and two strips of Mallard above. 
 HOENS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 EIVERS : Tweed, Usk. 
 
 NOTE. One of our best silver bodied " modifications," often varied in 
 tail, hackle, throat and wing. 
 
 THE LITTLE INKY-BOY. G.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and one turn of crimson Berlin wool. 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 215 
 
 BODY. Fine Trout gut dyed black, closely coiled. 
 THROAT. Three turns of silver coch-a-bonddu dyed yellow. 
 WINGS. A few tippet strands, two narrow strips of unbarred Summer 
 Duck and a topping. 
 
 Long experience decides this to be one of the best Summer flies for 
 general use. Several nondescripts of mine take the character of The 
 Little Inky-boy, the gut being dyed in different colours. These patterns 
 are best made with thin bodies and light wings. 
 
 THE THISTLE. G.S. 
 
 (TURNBULL.) 
 
 TAG. Gold twist and light yellow silk. 
 
 TAIL. Two toppings, with Indian Crow above and below. 
 
 BODY. Light fiery-brown and black pigs wool in equal divisions. 
 
 KIBS. Gold tinsel (flat). 
 
 HACKLE. Black, from second turn. 
 
 WINGS. Teal, dark Bustard, fibres of Golden Pheasant breast, and of 
 
 Amherst Pheasant ; Mallard and a topping. 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 
 HORNS. Red, and blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 THUNDER AND LIGHTNING. G.S. 
 
 (WRIGHT.) 
 
 TAG. Gold twist and yellow silk. 
 TAIL. Topping. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 BODY. Black silk. 
 KIBS. Gold tinsel (oval). 
 
 HACKLE. Orange hackle, from second turn of tinsel. 
 THROAT. Jay. 
 WINGS. Mallard and a topping. 
 
216 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black wool. 
 
 This fly is exceedingly popular and has a well earned reputation for 
 its destructive qualities at a time when rivers begin to rise after rain. 
 General B - has introduced an excellent variation of this old standard ; 
 he puts an underwing of tippet, and brown mottled Turkey strips. His 
 dressers are Mitchie & Co., of Stirling, N.B. 
 
 THE TIPPET GRUB. G.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 TAG. Silver twist and scarlet Seal's fur. No. 1, hackle (or butt) three 
 
 turns of Tippet. 
 
 BODY. Light green-olive chenille. No. 2, hackle (in centre) four turns 
 of tippet one size larger. 
 No. 3, hackle (or head) five turns of tippet, still larger. 
 
 An old favourite for a " thorough change." 
 
 THE TORRISH. G.S. 
 
 (RADCLIFFE.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk. 
 
 TAIL. A topping and Ibis. 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. In two equal sections of oval tinsel ; the first butted with Indian 
 Crow above and below, and black herl. 
 
 THROAT. A red-orange hackle, in colour similar to the Crow. 
 
 WINGS. Two strips of black Turkey white tipped, Bustard, Peacock 
 wing, Gallina, Golden Pheasant tail ; and two strands of Swan 
 dyed red (white) and blue married ; Mallard and a topping. 
 
 CHEEKS. Indian Crow. 
 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 A great favourite on the Helmsdale. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 217 
 
 THE TRI-COLOUR. G.S. 
 
 TAG. Silver twist. 
 
 TAIL. Bed breast feather of the Golden Pheasant. 
 BODY. Yellow, light blue, and scarlet Seal's fur. 
 KIBS. Silver lace and silver tinsel. 
 HACKLE. Natural grey Heron, from blue fur. 
 THROAT. Widgeon (Teal, large patterns). 
 WINGS. Two strips of plain, cinnamon Turkey. 
 
 A standard fly on the Dee, which, when dressed with a red breast 
 hackle of the Golden Pheasant and with white (strips) wings, is known by 
 the name of " The Killer." 
 
 THE TOPPY. G.S. 
 
 (Rev. A. WILLIAMS.) 
 TAG. Silver twist. 
 TAIL. Toucan and Ibis. 
 BUTT. Claret herl. 
 BODY. Three turns of red-claret silk, butted with a red-claret huckle ; 
 
 followed by black Seal's fur. 
 KIBS. Silver tinsel. 
 
 HACKLE. Black hackle, from claret butt. 
 WINGS. Two strips of black Turkey white tipped, in single strips. 
 
 A general Usk pattern. 
 
 TURNBULL'S SIR RICHARD. G.S. 
 
 (TURNBULL.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and golden-yellow silk. 
 
 TAIL. A topping, and Indian Crow above and below. 
 
 BUTT. Peacock herl. 
 
 BODY. Black silk. 
 
 RIBS. Silver lace and silver tinsel (narrow). 
 
218 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 HACKLE. Gallina, one-third of body. 
 
 THROAT. Jay, and one turn Gallina over it. 
 
 WINGS. Two broad strips of Swan dyed scarlet, veiled with Bustard, 
 
 Mallard, grey Mallard, Parrot, and a topping. 
 SIDES. Summer Duck. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 This is the best of Turnbull's, and has long since become a general 
 
 favourite. 
 
 UNA. G.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and gold twist. 
 
 TAIL. A topping, two strands of powdered blue Macaw, four strands of 
 Summer Duck, and Chatterer. 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. In two equal sections ; No. 1, of silver embossed tinsel, ribbed 
 with gold tinsel (oval) and butted with black herl ; No. '2, of gold 
 embossed tinsel, and ribbed with silver tinsel (oval). 
 
 HACKLE. One side of a blue, and one side of a claret hackle, from 
 centre. 
 
 THROAT. Two turns of orange hackle and Gallina. 
 
 WINGS. Two strips of Peacock wing, veiled with Teal and Gallina, 
 (underwing) ; Golden Pheasant tail, Parrot, red Macaw, Summer 
 Duck, Powdered blue Macaw, Mallard, and a topping. 
 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 
 CHEEKS. Indian Crow and Chatterer. 
 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 A bright water fly and is often of service in sizes up to No. 2/0. A minute 
 description is given as Una is usually overdressed. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 219 
 
 VANSITTART'S WASP. G.S. 
 
 (VAXSITTAKT.) 
 TAG. Gold twist. 
 TAIL. A topping. 
 BODY. Yellow and black Seal's fur in equal divisions, with a topping 
 
 above yellow fur. 
 BIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 HACKLE. Black hackle, from yellow fur. 
 WINGS. Tippet strands ; Gallina, Swan dyed yellow and red, Golden 
 
 Pheasant tail, Bustard and Mallard. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 HEAD. Orange herl. 
 
 Well known on the Grimmersta and on small rivers in Argyllshire. 
 
 THE VARIEGATED SUN FLY. 
 This pattern is fully described, as well as its variations, in Chapter V. 
 
 THE WASP GRUB. S.S. 
 
 (KELSON.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist. 
 
 TAIL. Point of red undertail of Toucan. 
 
 BODY. Yellow and black chenille in close coils, not spirally but 
 wasp-like. 
 
 HACKLE. A natural blue coch-a-bonddu slightly tinged in Bismarck- 
 brown, beginning at centre of body and ending with four or five 
 coils at head. 
 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 A simple but effective low water pattern in certain localities during 
 the wasp season. On the Usk, for instance, I have been singularly 
 successful with it. The fly is useful on the Dee. 
 
220 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 THE WHITE WING. G.S. 
 
 (WRIGHT.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist. 
 TAIL. A topping, and tippet strands. 
 BODY. The first half of yellow, and orange and claret Seal's fur, equally 
 
 divided, followed by black Seal's fur. 
 RIBS. Silver lace and silver tinsel. 
 HACKLE. A natural black hackle, from second turn. 
 THROAT. A blue hackle. 
 WINGS. Two strips of white Swan. 
 
 
 
 An old Tweed pattern. 
 
 THE WIDGEON. G.S. 
 
 (ENRIGHT.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and orange silk. 
 TAIL. Toucan and Indian Crow. 
 BODY. Mauve silk. 
 RIBS. Silver tinsel. 
 THROAT. Widgeon. 
 WINGS. Tippet strands, Swan dyed yellow, Parrot, Ibis, Gallina, and 
 
 Mallard. 
 
 CHEEKS. Indian Crow. 
 HEAD. Orange herl. 
 
 A successful Irish pattern dressed on small double hooks. 
 
 WILKINSON. G.S. 
 
 (G. KELSON.) 
 TAG. Silver twist. 
 
 TAIL. Two toppings, tippet, and Indian Crow. 
 BUTT. Scarlet wool. 
 BODY. Silver tinsel. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 221 
 
 BIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 
 THROAT. Majenta and light blue hackle. 
 
 WINGS. Tippet, Teal, Peacock wing, Golden Pheasant tail, Swan dyed 
 
 red, yellow, and blue ; Mallard and a topping. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 HEAD. Black herl. 
 
 This is one of my Father's earliest patterns and is patronised on most 
 
 rivers. 
 
 THE WILSON. G.S. 
 
 (TURNBULL.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and cream silk. 
 
 TAIL. Two strips of Summer Duck. 
 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 
 BODY. Silver tinsel. 
 
 RIBS. Gold tinsel (oval). 
 
 THROAT. Vulturine Guinea fowl and black Heron. 
 
 WINGS. Egyptian Goose, little Bustard, silver speckled Turkey, grey 
 
 Mallard and a topping. 
 CHEEKS. Indian Crow and Chatterer. 
 
 A superb killer on most rivers. The fly was named after Mr. "Wilson of 
 
 Moffat. 
 
 THE WYE GRUB. G.S. 
 
 (KELSOX.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and red silk. 
 TAIL. Yellow Macaw, and a few strands of Ibis. 
 BUTT. No. 1, a white coch-a-bonddu dyed yellow, cheeked, after the 
 
 " Jungle Hornet," with Jungle on each side. 
 BODY. Yellow Seal's fur. 
 
'222 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 RIBS. Silver tinsel, fine (oval). No. 2, or centre hackle, as before, 
 cheeked. No. 3, or head, a larger hackle (same sort) and 
 two turns of Gallina dyed orange, cheeked as before. 
 
 An old standard on the Wye and a great favourite at the present time. 
 
 YATES' FANCY. G.S. 
 
 (F. YATES.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk. 
 TAIL. Tippet, Summer Duck, and Gallina. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 BODY. Rose silk two turns, followed by claret, blue, and black Seal's 
 
 fur equally divided. 
 RIBS. Silver tinsel. 
 
 HACKLE. White coch-a-bonddu dyed light Bismarck brown. 
 THROAT. Jay. 
 WINGS. Tippet, Teal, Gallina, Golden Pheasant tail, Bustard, Swan 
 
 dyed yellow and green ; Ibis, Mallard, and a topping. 
 CHEEKS. Chatterer. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 
 An excellent general fly. 
 
 YELLOW EAGLE. 
 
 G.S. 
 
 TAG. Silver twist. 
 
 TAIL. Red breast feather of the Golden Pheasant. 
 BODY. Yellow, scarlet, and light blue Seal's fur. 
 RIBS. Silver lace and silver tinsel. 
 HACKLE. Eagle dyed yellow, from scarlet fur. 
 THROAT. Widgeon (Teal, large patterns). 
 
 WINGS. Two strips of grey mottled Turkey having black bars and white 
 points. 
 
 A well-known dark water fly on the Dee. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 YELLOW LAHOBBER. G.S. 
 
 (ENRIGHT.) 
 
 TAG. Silver twist and dark orange silk. 
 TAIL. Toucan. 
 BODY. Black silk. 
 RIBS. Silver tinsel. 
 
 THROAT. Yellow Macaw, and powdered blue Macaw. 
 WINGS. Golden Pheasant yellow rump, Parrot, Gallina, Bustard, red 
 
 and powdered blue Macaw. 
 SIDES. Jungle. 
 
 YELLOW PARSON. G.S. 
 
 (Rev. A. WILLIAMS.) 
 TAG. Silver twist and violet silk. 
 TAIL. A topping and tippet strands. 
 
 BODY. Two turns of yellow silk, followed by yellow Seal's fur. 
 EIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 HACKLE. Yellow hackle from silk. 
 
 THROAT. Scarlet hackle, veiled with two small toppings. 
 WINGS. Two tippets (back to back), a strip of Summer Duck on each 
 
 side, and two toppings. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 CHEEKS. Chatterer. 
 
 An old Usk fly, used also on the Thurso, Wye, and Don. 
 
 Though the absence of a few old flies is to be regretted, I have, after 
 investigating the matter to the best of my power and ability, determined 
 to adopt the foregoing list. No end of old time standards have sunk into 
 desuetude, disappeared from the scene, and vanished altogether. In some 
 cases this is a pity ; in many others a relief. Veterans, for instance, may 
 deplore the loss of the "Rainbow," the "Quaker," or the "Assassin;" but 
 few would look twice at "Mentor," Queen Mab," or even " Rob Roy," 
 
224 THE SALMON FLT. 
 
 and the original " Kay Mead." The loss is due, in my opinion, to a kind 
 of trade rivalry, and to a prevalent desire on the part of certain dressers 
 to produce some sensational effect by inconsistently varying any fly they 
 make while still using the old name. Let me not be misunder- 
 stood. To cleverly vary a fly, under certain principles, in order to 
 meet some particular case or condition, is a feat often practised by first- 
 class men ; but there really is no such thing as " producing sensational 
 effect " by the mere process of haphazard variation. A " bit of novelty " 
 in most standards, though accidentally effective, soon wears off in general 
 use, and is pretty sure to spoil the pattern for good and all. 
 
 On the other hand, it is true that some flies, as for instance " Bonnie 
 Dundee," "Daily News," and the "Blue Charm " of old, are suscep- 
 tible of vast improvement ; but, as I say, some of the best have entirely 
 lost their value by passing through phases of irresponsible treatment, and 
 might well receive their conge from some reliable judicative source. 
 
 A good example of this sort of importunate treatment is manifest in 
 
 a collection of old standards, which have been on my table for weeks and 
 
 months. Most of them were sent to me for the purposes of this work, 
 
 and have come from all parts of the United Kingdom. So inconsistent 
 
 has been the changes made in bodies and wings generally, even in the 
 
 different specimens of three such favourites as the " Assassin," " Ray 
 
 Mead," and the " Quaker," the first and last of which, in the fulness of 
 
 their celebrity, riveted themselves on my recollection, that it is almost 
 
 impossible to identify them. For this reason they, like others, cannot 
 
 be truly described. Among these patterns, nevertheless, I see a rather 
 
 good looking variation of "Ray Mead." The wings take after a fly 
 
 invented by my Father, and the body assumes the character of a silver 
 
 and blue " Jock Scott." I have, however, seen patterns on the Bann, 
 
 Owenmore, Waterville river, the Bush, Bundrowes, Shannon, and 
 
 Blackwater, differing so much from their original dressing, that I am 
 
 driven to overlook them in this collection. As an example take, say, 
 
 " Tim's Moke," which, however, is eminently deserving of some sort of 
 
 notice. This fairly useful fly is known on the West coast as the 
 
 " Monkey Grey," whilst on the other side of Ireland it enjoys the 
 
 appellation of " Red Tag." It takes somewhat after the " Lemon 
 
Plate 5. 
 
 ROCHE'S FANCY 
 
 THE BUTCHER. 
 
 THE SILVER GREY. 
 
 STEVENSON. 
 
 THE POPHAM 
 
 JOHN CAMPBELL 
 
OLD TYPES OF FLIES. 225 
 
 Grey," but has red silk at the tag, and a red hackle under Jay at the 
 throat. What an endless and perhaps impossible work it would be to 
 explain all these patterns in detail ! 
 
 The Clarets on the Erne, and other Irish flies whipped up with a 
 black hackle and plain Mallard wing still hold their own, like the Blues 
 on the Lee, but the majority are hardly worth describing, as the local 
 manufacturers dress them in a variety of ways merely to please the fancy 
 of customers in their own particular district. 
 
 Scotland, like Ireland, but not to such an extent, has necessitated 
 considerable enquiry. The " Gordon," one of the champions of the 
 North, has cost more for postage stamps than the fly is worth in the 
 South. But this, the best of all the Dee flies, is hardly ever dressed by 
 two rnsn alike. The fish will have it, in Spring and Autumn, and I am 
 quite at a loss to decide which of the two foregoing descriptions is to be 
 recommended. However, I use the sword feather of the Golden Pheasant 
 only for the largest patterns. The " Blue Charm," among others to 
 which prominence is given, has never been heard of in out of the way 
 places. Even in England this fly is hardly known by sight or name ; 
 indeed, in districts not far south of Aberdeen many would like to class 
 it with those of the Irish division for having changed its costume. But 
 in its own neighbourhood, as made now, during the months of April, 
 May and June the pattern has no rival nearer than " Jeannie," or 
 " Logic," which little companion flies are still turned out in their original 
 garb. 
 
 Among the Scotch flies, not included in this list, is the " Gledwing," 
 (otherwise remembered as the " Glentana Gled,") from the fact that the 
 hawk of the same name formerly supplied materials for the wing. But 
 when the hawk died on Deeside the fly died too ; or, in more staid 
 language, the kite is now extinct in that neighbourhood, and, as far as 
 regards any special distinction, so is the fly, for no imitation of its 
 attractive wing-feather has proved of equal avail. 
 
 But what a number of instances I could bring forward as proof 
 positive of the singular value and special effect of certain of the Standard 
 patterns ! Alas, for the class of Fishermen who fondly imagine they 
 can hold their own anywhere at the present time with no more than 
 
 Q 
 
226 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 three or four flies in their book ! Their ideas must be accepted as 
 affording remarkable evidence of the want of varied experience, particu- 
 larly that experience which led me to my variations in fly-work, now with 
 this object, now with that, and which brought to light so many practical 
 advantages of the system. Perhaps I should say that, in the progress of 
 my experiments, every failure was a step to success ; every detection of 
 what was bad and fruitless helped me to iind what was really wanted. 
 
 In concluding these observations, it is a great privilege to be able to 
 state that the descriptive particulars of all the above flies, save and 
 except those referring to the "Butcher," "Gordon," "Gold Eiach," a 
 few introduced by Miss Daly (now Mrs. Courtney) and those of my own, 
 have been read and approved by that one living authority, Colonel 
 Bichardson, on whom Salmon Anglers and dressers alike may place the 
 utmost reliance for his wide experience and accurate knowledge of the 
 whole subject. 
 
 Anglers can inspect all the Standard patterns at Farlows. The 
 trade can be supplied wholesale by Eedpath and Co., and they can rely 
 on getting all shades of the dyed materials with scarcely a fault. 
 
MODERN ADVANTAGES. 227 
 
 CHAPTEE V. 
 THE CHOICE OF FLIES. 
 
 " Xa/nre ever indicates the way to her bent secrets without leading us thither by her oicn 
 
 hand.' 
 
 STUDENTS of angling history will probably agree with me that in days 
 gone by all men " roughed " it. There were no sporting newspapers to 
 encourage discussion on the choice of flies, nor other means of com- 
 municating experiences ; and as for the publication of a work on the 
 sport, that was a matter of serious cost, whilst the popularity of the 
 author depended on his literary style, rather than on the skill with which 
 he handled the subject. Consequently there was little intercourse among 
 Fishermen of different rivers. All this is now changed. Modern facilities 
 for travel, and the dispensation of knowledge, have ensured that the 
 angling world will ever possess new lights and copious records. Art and 
 science lend their aid to furnish the Angler with improved appointments 
 that serve to instruct him in the habits of his prey ; and, at a relatively 
 small expense, he can avail himself of the experience of those men who, 
 with larger opportunities for acquiring it, now command some fifteen 
 yards in excess of the cast which our ancestors made with an old 
 " hickory " and a line of " silk and hair ! " 
 
 But notwithstanding these modern advantages, it seems to me that, 
 apart from a certain happy class who want no instruction, much ill- 
 digested information exists among Salmon-anglers on the great question 
 
 Q2 
 
228 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 of flies. To the class of Fishermen who, victimised by some haphazard 
 success, profess to believe that the selection of a fly is immaterial, I do 
 not address myself. To those who believe that in fishing, as in other 
 arts, there is a right and a wrong method, and that the right method 
 the method best calculated to secure success can only be acquired by a 
 careful observation and comparison of facts, I venture to offer some 
 assistance in reconciling apparently conflicting conclusions of late years. 
 A considerable advance has been made towards the ideal in fly-manu- 
 facture. And not only does the expert fly-tier possess more varied 
 dressing materials, and study with greater care their arrangement upon 
 the hook with a view to harmony, but the expert fly-fisher proceeds with 
 more system, and consequently with greater confidence in the choice of 
 his lures for ordinary use as well as for "refreshing" contingencies. The 
 progress of the Salmon-angler in these respects has been slow, but sure 
 and satisfactory. 
 
 I have no wish to review the progress made with respect to rods and 
 lines in this chapter. The old patterns had to be abolished, and have 
 long since been replaced by new ones. But as soon as railways afforded 
 facilities of access to rivers, Anglers increased enormously in number, with 
 the result that " methods and principles " forced themselves upon fly- 
 dressers in proportion as fish became more shy or more educated. 
 
 A man must have faith in his fly as well as in himself. 
 
 "Confidence in oneself," a great writer tells us, "is the chief nurse of 
 magnanimity." But I shall never forget wandering home one evening in 
 company with others intent on fly-lore, when suddenly a member of the 
 party exclaimed, with the unaffected sincerity of one who is concerned to 
 tell the truth, " For goodness' sake don't derange my mental equilibrium. 
 I have killed more fish than any of you, and the evidence on the simple- 
 ness of Salmon-fishing is quite enough for me. I tell you they came 
 like bulldogs at ' Jock Scott ' the first fly I picked out ; so no sermons 
 on flies for me ! " 
 
 The touch of human nature which these impulsive remarks evinced 
 will in no way diminish our satisfaction with knowing that sometimes 
 Salmon seem bound to provide any amount of sport for the novice ; but 
 although early success may engender overweening confidence, the tyro 
 
HOW TO FAIL ! 229 
 
 should by no means presume upon his good fortune, as I shall endeavour 
 to show forthwith. 
 
 It was my young friend's first effort, and he fished like a Trojan from 
 morning till night. He knew nothing ; he would listen to nothing ; he 
 was told nothing ; and, though in the intoxication of a temporary success, 
 he made earnest and repeated attempts to follow it up, the Salmon had 
 settled down ; the first fly in the book, and many a successor selected 
 without discrimination, failed him ; not another fin did he move. Little 
 did he dream that the sport admits of endless diversity, affording an 
 agreeable and useful exercise of one's judgment in the choice of flies, as 
 well as in the use of them. 
 
 The explanation in this particular case is not far to seek. 
 
 Having entered upon the scene of action, keen and self-possessed, 
 this young Angler had much in his favour e.g., the Spring of the year, 
 when the fish are often as keen as the Fisherman ; the best of rivers ; 
 prawns, worms, and other such injurious baits being prohibited ; the 
 water and weather in perfect condition after a spate sky cloudy, wind 
 westerly ; and agreeably, to the best wishes of us all, he remained in 
 possession of the " Field " casts, which held, by the way, two of our best 
 pools, easily covered by an ordinary Trout rod. 
 
 Under such circumstances as these, a run of luck often attends the 
 novice; but when it comes to a question of "presentation" and choice 
 of flies, Fortune forsakes all but the initiated. Formerly, the Angler 
 might rely upon three weeks of easy fishing after a flood with " the first 
 fly picked out " ; but in these days of drainage he cannot count upon 
 such indulgence for one-fourth of the time ; and then the waters fall and 
 get vapid, fish settle down and get sulky, and the issue depends, not on 
 merely walking over the course with "Jock Scott," but on a system 
 founded throughout all its parts on certain well-ascertained principles, 
 which have proved themselves by the results achieved. Then only is it 
 that the novice realises the true position, and the necessity for him to 
 learn, or, perhaps, even to unlearn. 
 
 How often have I seen the inexperienced man positively woo failure ! 
 For instance, in his over-eagerness and slap-dash style of approach and 
 of using the tackle, he puts fish down prematurely, and then spoils his 
 
230 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 chance altogether by infringing the rule best calculated to bring him 
 success i.e., not to persevere too long with the " very fly that really 
 ought to kill." This is a fatal practice. But apart from all such trans- 
 gression the fact still remains that, the best fly in one season falls into 
 desuetude in another, the perfect pattern in the morning sometimes fails 
 at noon, and destroys all chance of success in the evening. 
 
 In this relation, I have more than once known the right man " lower 
 his waders " ; walk home to dress a certain set of patterns for a special 
 purpose ; and use but one variation after all. And why ? Because the 
 surroundings at the Catch remained as they were. 
 
 Another matter not devoid of interest which I would deal with here 
 alludes to the prevailing partiality shewn for certain standards. " Jock 
 Scott " furnishes a grand example for consideration. 
 
 It is commonly said that fish see this fly oftener than others, that it 
 reigns supreme because Anglers persist in using it wherever they go. 
 But to ascribe the reputation of any fly to this bald fact is just one of 
 those cock-and-bull stories which derive their origin partly from imagina- 
 tion and partly from hearsay. A man has no ghost of a chance if he is 
 constantly led away by such a statement. No ; the key to " Jock's " 
 repute may be traced to the dexterous hand of the inventor. His con- 
 struction is of a " decided " nature. He is exact in the observance of 
 laws relating to harmony of colour, proportion, and symmetry ; the 
 possession of which qualities must, in the long run, secure for any pattern 
 a vastly superior chance over its rivals. It may be taken for granted 
 that the persistent employment of any one fly is absolutely certain to 
 bring it into bad repute temporarily, as the fish are sure to get sick at the 
 very sight of it. In " Jock Scott," perhaps, we find the nearest excep- 
 tion. It is the acknowledged King of built-wing flies, fit to reign over 
 his own large circle of admirers. It is not an ordinary fly. Analyse this 
 Scotch pattern under any reasonable test, and the fly is usually found to 
 possess a singular excellence, though, on the authority of " Silver Grey " 
 (Sept. 16th, 1893), Land and Water says : 
 
 " I know one stream in Ireland and another in Scotland, in which, 
 though often tried, ' Jock Scott ' has never done the trick yet." 
 
 Only those who rise superior to prejudice, and who pin their faith on 
 
CIRCUMSTANCES RELATING TO THE CHOICE OF FLIES. 231 
 
 the proper pattern for each particular occasion, can realise how absurd is 
 the remark that " one fly is as good as any other at any time." Yet, even 
 men of " light and leading" sometimes fall into the trap, and mount a 
 favourite pattern, regardless whether it is, or is not, suited to the sur- 
 rounding conditions. When difficulty arises, out comes the fly book, and 
 " Hang those doctrines that tell of miracles worked in this or that light, 
 so on goes the one that has rarely failed me, Hamish." Knowing the 
 exact lie of the fish, the spot to an inch where to stand and how to cast 
 half the battle, all this they occasionally succeed with it, because the 
 very conditions that called for the use of the particular fly happened to 
 exist. Not unfrequently they would experience dismal failure ; but the 
 keen observer is never slow in detecting the true reason. 
 
 A most important point to be considered in choosing a fly is the 
 nature and condition of the pool in which it is to be used. Each pool has 
 its own distinguishing features. Some are shallow, others deep ; some 
 are in the shade, others in the full sunshine; some have a pebbly bottom, 
 affording little shelter to the fish, others abound with rocks and boulders. 
 In some the current runs smooth and straight, in others the waters boil 
 and twist themselves into eddies all being more or less affected by the 
 rise or fall of the river. It hardly requires to be stated that one identical 
 fly cannot be equally attractive in all pools, or in every condition of the 
 same pool ; and that it is of the utmost importance to pay attention to 
 the size of the hook, which the existing local conditions may demand. 
 Almost any pattern of suitable size in straight running waters early in 
 the season, would, at least, show that it was made of the right stuff, pro- 
 vided always that it be one of those specimens warranted never to 
 " skirt " or " wobble." But the Spring of the year is soon over, and as 
 the mild weather sets in, fish take to streams, and get more or less 
 difficult to please as the water gets low and the days hot. Then is the 
 time for observation and reflection ; and for the use of " The Little Inky- 
 boy" (p. 214). My Father used to say, "To fish without reflecting is like 
 eating without digesting." I followed this aphorism of his, and with 
 what advantages ! But alas ! reflect how I may, it is not within my 
 power to bear in memory all the actual details of past adventures in 
 such a manner that they can be brought vividly before the mind of 
 
232 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 the reader. Memory recalls most of them, at all events ; and yet it 
 would seem wiser for the Angler to take notes for himself (as I did at a 
 later period) than to trust to after-thought. It was, for instance, only 
 by comparing notes that I learned to understand the advantage of using 
 natural coloured feathers in fly- work as the season wears on. By the 
 same process I also arrived at the fact that marked effects can be 
 produced by certain distinctions in flites, especially as regards sulky 
 fish. But perhaps the most singular, if not, indeed, the most fortunate, 
 discovery I thus made, and upon which the utmost reliance may be 
 reposed, shows how the rule relating to proportion in a fly may be broken. 
 Although the reader's attention is elsewhere drawn to it, I here take 
 as an every day example, a rough stream in June, when, from lying 
 close behind a boulder, or better still, an upright ledge of rock, a fish, 
 game for rising, cannot get a glimpse of your fly till it goes well over him. 
 At such a juncture observe the constant effect of using small patterns 
 adorned with extra large " Jungle," or an unusually large strip of 
 Summer Duck for sides ! I am afraid to say how frequently I used to be 
 called upon to demonstrate these principles, and how seldom success of 
 some sort, even under the fevered stress of jostling competition, did not 
 attend the trials. Oh, the happier dreams of restfulness and amuse- 
 ment and peace on private waters ! 
 
 But, of course, it needs some little experience, as well as the power 
 of reasoning by analogy, to determine which fly to mount, even at the best 
 of times. 
 
 Pools, as I have said, are ever changing. They are affected by the 
 height, and consequent strength, of the water ; by objects washed into 
 them ; and by the constantly varying amount of light and shade thrown 
 directly or indirectly over them. For these reasons alone no definite 
 instructions can be offered for general acceptance. In fact, it would be 
 as foolish for a young Fisherman to place faith in any given set of rules 
 which exact undeviating adherence, as to anticipate constant results with 
 a fly that may have carried all before it on a former occasion. 
 
 However, as far as I can do so, I intend giving examples of certain 
 measures and methods which are approved by my own experience. 
 Whether the information will be fruitful of result for the student must 
 
EXPERIENTIA DOCET. 233 
 
 depend largely on himself. He must use judgment, and especially be on 
 his guard against those well-meaning counsellors at the river-side, who, 
 with evident sincerity, " know all about it," and who honestly believe 
 themselves, like Hamlet, born to " set right " a " world out of joint." 
 Who, with but trifling experience, will not agree that the governing 
 (uncharitable folks call it meddling) faculty is extremely strong in some 
 natures? " Your fly is a mile too big," "Try so and so; that's your 
 only chance," etc., etc. That's the badge to know them by. 
 
 It is also only too true that a vast amount of mischief goes on 
 outside the field of operations. One representative of a wider public 
 protests in this wise : 
 
 ' ' Light and shade ; the ways of the Salmon ; the condition of the 
 river how can they have anything to do with the choice of flies '? What 
 learned nonsense, what scientific humbug ! " 
 
 Much allowance must be made for opinions emanating from 
 experience acquired in an easy-chair in a library. But it is to be 
 regretted for the sake of novices that some writers wage bitter and 
 unrelenting war against men who, in seeking the solution of fly problems, 
 apply the same methods as have conduced to the establishment of 
 principles in physical research. 
 
 Passing over vexatious criticism we must all freely acknowledge the 
 liberal spirit with which our subject is occasionally treated. One amiable 
 critic (Mr. E. T. S., now of the Field) says : 
 
 " When we come to study the problem of flies and grasp the mean- 
 ing of one particular theory, we begin to wonder how it is possible to 
 catch fish under any other system (meaning my own). Seeing is believing, 
 and all those who have seen have believed." 
 
 Only at a recent casual meeting of Salmon-anglers engaged in dis- 
 cussing flies, etc., I was myself astonished to see the interest taken in the 
 subject. Twenty years ago, not a man would go a yard out of his way 
 to discuss them. When I was asked to give my experience, I began by 
 reading aloud portions of this book from the manuscript. Afterwards, I 
 asked those present how far they agreed with the principles set forth. 
 
 " I don't believe in any principle at all," said one ; " but the sombre 
 fly business you recommend for dull days pays well enough on the Usk." 
 
234 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 " Not so with us on the Lochy," another remarked. " We think it 
 best there to use a good showy pattern in dull weather, like the ' Silver 
 Doctor.' ' 
 
 " Exactly so," I observed to the latter. " And by your universal 
 practice you have unfortunately brought the fish found to your way of 
 thinking." 
 
 Then in Highland tones I was asked 
 
 " What system would be advantageous on the Dee ? " 
 
 " None," I replied, " beyond that in connection with contrast. The 
 legislator forms an estimate from the multitude of rivers, not from the 
 select few. But do not forget the ' March brown' in* its season." 
 
 " I know nothing about system," a well-known Spey-angler said ; 
 " at any rate, we use thin wings on cold days." 
 
 " At Macroom, we study ' colour ' and ' character.' One day they 
 come at blue bodies, another at grey ones ; but we don't know till we 
 try." 
 
 Elsewhere I was complimented by the observation that Wye men 
 had but little faith in any system until I introduced the " Wye Grub" 
 and the " Sun fly," which, by their frequent success under certain con- 
 ditions, created quite a stir in some of the districts. 
 
 And so I went on until I obtained a fair amount of confirmation, 
 which I fully expected, from one source or another. 
 
 Now I look upon it that the diversity of these opinions, and the very 
 opinions themselves, go to support my view of the value of system, to 
 illustrate which this book is chiefly written. 
 
 The question seems to be this : Should the inquiring Angler fall a 
 victim to men whose ingenuity and skill extend no further than, say, from 
 Loch Tay to Perth, where, for even twenty years, they have diligently 
 trailed their half-dozen flies at the stern of a boat ; or to others, whose 
 means are neither more nor better than experience picked up on two, 
 three, or may be four rivers ? I must answer boldly. No ; for I am fully 
 of the opinion that the man who has fished as many as a dozen rivers, 
 unless they had been specially selected for the purpose, cannot possibly have 
 derived sufficient knowledge to deal in a satisfactory manner with a mean 
 proportion of cases constantly cropping up. Put him at Macroom, for 
 
TACTICS. 235 
 
 instance, and how would he tell whether to mount the blue or the grey 
 fly? 
 
 So far as the foregoing examples of the " meddling faculty " are 
 concerned, the student will, of course, arrive at some conclusion for 
 himself, but I cannot help thinking that they take away some of the credit 
 which the English race possess for common sense and intelligence. 
 Meanwhile, we may do well to consider the two following common-place 
 examples of practising the four-fly system when one fly fails, another is 
 tried. On what principle, then, should the Angler make his choice from 
 the long list of Standards described in another chapter ? 
 
 The reader must distinctly understand beforehand that obstinate 
 fish, or, as some put it, " fish off the feed," can be induced to rise and 
 take a fly of some sort. That very fly in most instances is to be found 
 among the numerous standards given, though the absence of a few non- 
 descripts or obscurities, sometimes useful on ordinary occasions, is, 
 perhaps, to be regretted. 
 
 He should also understand that I am merely laying down the method 
 of procedure which a good Angler would generally pursue ; and that I am 
 not here alluding to any special difficulty arising from a sudden change of 
 temperature, a sudden fall of water, or even intervals of nausea, produced 
 by pollution. 
 
 Now the tactics of Fishermen are governed by the circumstances 
 that present themselves. Take, as the first of these examples, bright 
 times, fish properly trained to the bright and dull fly system, and an 
 ordinary Catch, in which a mixed wing fails to attract their notice. I 
 should use a fly on, for instance, the Spey or Dee, of a particular class 
 (say the "Gold Eiach"on the former, the " Akroyd " on the latter). 
 This selection would be equal, in respect of colouring, to that, say, of a 
 " Jock Scott " another class of fly which might be used on other rivers, 
 on all, in fact, with perhaps half a dozen exceptions. 
 
 Then, a silver body ; and be guided by the character of the river as 
 to what sort on the Wye, a " Silver Grey "; on the Usk, a " Wilkin- 
 son " ; on the Lochy, a " Silver Doctor." In the fourth trial a " Grub," 
 also suited to the river as regards colour of tail, body, and hackle. 
 
 For the second example, when a bright or a conspicuously-dressed fly 
 
236 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 fails (though, in the four-fly system, it would be considered as bad form 
 to start operations with such showy feathers as Summer Duck in any 
 pattern), I should give extra rest and try " Charlie," or some other black- 
 looking fly ; then a nondescript of this, that, or the other class, having 
 still some marked characteristics prominently distributed; e.g., extra 
 long hackles, or tufts of short ones, plenty of the most favoured colour in 
 the tail as well as in the body and wings ; and finally mount a very large 
 pattern. 
 
 I do not see any very " learned nonsense " or " scientific humbug " 
 in all this, though possibly a few of the old school may feel slightly un- 
 comfortable at the thought that the grand traditions of their uncere- 
 monious practice, imbued with no principle whatever, should be rudely 
 interrupted by an outburst of formularities. 
 
 But Salmon-fishing, like anything else in the universe, must be 
 governed by *laws, and can only best be followed by observing them at 
 all points. I claim no complete knowledge of them, they are not im- 
 mutable, but that is no reason why what I know of the subject should 
 be valueless. 
 
 Judicious contrasts are as essential to Fishermen as to the well- 
 appointed stage, and years of experiment suggest that one chief principle 
 in Salmon-fishing is ever to use them. 
 
 Perhaps at this part of our inquiry it would not come amiss were I 
 to relate a few of my earlier exploits, which resulted in finding the key to 
 many intricate problems. 
 
 With twenty years or more of fishing experience, and with only 
 misleading custom as a guide, I had a strong desire to investigate matters 
 for myself. I therefore determined to devote attention at the riverside to 
 the workings of Nature. As I began to decipher the more obscure 
 passages in this great book, I became familiar step by step with numerous 
 phenomena, in past days thought to be unconnected with angling, yet 
 
 * Our laws are not infallible, but what we may safely assert is, that the propriety of a 
 rigid or elastic application of them depends upon the practice of fishing on each river. Care 
 must be taken to estimate the effect of any practice. But if one finds that a district of thirty 
 miles forms the boundary of a run of Salmon, and it takes one hundred men to "put thi'in 
 down " by improper Hies or improper presentation, the Angler may decide for himself in what 
 way, and to what extent, he is to apply our laws to do them justice. 
 
EXPERIENCE VERSUS CHANCE. 237 
 
 now the subject of all our best Anglers' consideration. AVhat I mean is, 
 that I have frequently looked on " effect," and subsequently discovered 
 the " agent " by which it was produced. This led me to study my work 
 more diligently, and, with renewed effort, I was not only occasionally 
 rewarded with that which I sought after, but also with something even more 
 valuable. I learnt directly that useful knowledge must be superior to 
 chance, though often indebted to it ; that knowing the why and the 
 wherefore are stalworth aids as to how to proceed ; and that facts based on 
 observation may (however good) mostly be best turned to use when 
 helped by intuition. Once I rejoiced at being successful in a difficult 
 situation for a second, or even for a third time, but at another time, on 
 returning to the same pool, unconscious of its altered condition, I failed, 
 owing to my having forgotten its peculiar requirements. I still persevered, 
 and finally became convinced beyond all doubt that to the influence of 
 local surroundings may be traced many important facts on which, to this 
 day, I ponder before deciding what fly to use, and in what way to use it. 
 
 I am fully assured, too, that every conspicuous object by, or in, the 
 water is eloquent with hints from which inferences may be drawn. Yet 
 I am not one of those who believe that a little knowledge, which Pope 
 pronounced a dangerous thing (though it did not, by the way, prevent him 
 from translating Homer on a very slender proficiency of Greek) even 
 that little, in my estimation, is better for the Angler than total ignorance. 
 
 Compare, too, the pleasant issue attending one's labour under such 
 tuition as I am now attempting under training of the mind, eye, and 
 hand with that of men whose knowledge extends no farther than just to 
 put up " Jock Scott " and " go a-fishing ! " 
 
 Of course, circumstances crop up to upset one's most cherished con- 
 victions. The faith one has in the " bright fly " doctrine, for instance, 
 that is to use gaudy patterns in clear waters on bright days, and to 
 reverse the process under contrary conditions see how easily this system 
 can be upset. Supposing bright flies have previously failed in the hands 
 of one who has been acquainted with the various Catches, say, for half a 
 century, and upon whom you place the utmost reliance for his judgment 
 in regard to size, and for his skill in regard to " presentation," you, fish- 
 ing after him, would always adopt exactly the opposite practice. Nor would 
 
238 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 you follow his system on hard-fished rivers, though you had a district to 
 yourself, unless it were respected and generally followed by others fishing 
 below you. The bright fly will always be found to pay best on rivers 
 where both fish and Fishermen have been properly educated. And this is 
 not only because it is more natural, but because at such times fish see it 
 farther from them. Salmon are always more determined to take a fly 
 when rushing at it from a distance. The veteran did not happen to 
 know that the Catch in question had been temporarily spoilt by a pro- 
 longed and injudicious employment of, perhaps, a dozen of the brightest 
 flies in creation ; but your knowledge of his failure is enough, and you 
 proceed accordingly. 
 
 The only rule from which as yet I have never deviated refers to fish- 
 ing in " flaked " water, and I shall now mention it. 
 
 For years I never had much heart in thrashing away under these trying 
 conditions, which are of no uncommon occurrence on certain rivers. 
 
 " Flaked " water arises from thunderstorms pelting down after a 
 spell of hot weather. When the hills with a Southerly aspect have for a 
 time been exposed to the rays of a scorching sun, the higher precipices 
 will be found covered with a more or less curly coat of thin, dry " draff." 
 A heavy rainstorm racks off this skin in particles, which, by a gradual 
 process of disintegration, afterwards rapidly thicken the water, till 
 eventually the whole neighbouring pools become not exactly muddy, but 
 " flaky." The discharge has only to be seen once to be remembered. 
 
 " "Were it not for the flakes the water would be clear," I have heard 
 it remarked. Yet the water may be clear though flaked. 
 
 Upon such occasions, I make it a standing rule to mount a " Silver 
 Spectre," and to use it, not in confined stretches darkened by trees or 
 overhanging rocks, but in open pools and places, where the whole light 
 has free play. 
 
 In hazy weather I should use small dark flies. 
 
 In fishing a Catch over again from the other side, it is the usual 
 practice to present a fly altogether differing in colour and character from 
 what the fish have seen just before. It may also be smaller and brighter. 
 The body, at any rate, should have extra attraction in the shape of 
 colour, even amounting to gaudiness ; and with "sides" and "cheeks," 
 
THE SIZES OF FLIES. 239 
 
 say, of Jungle and Chatterer respectively. Should the water be ex- 
 ceptionally bright, all these distinctions may prove advantageous. 
 
 On the first rise of water after rain a time when Salmon take well 
 if shewn the right thing my favourite is the " Thunder and Lightning." 
 But this fly is at its best when the body dressing measures no more than 
 one inch and a quarter. (I have never killed a Salmon with a very large 
 one.) It is, therefore, prudent sometimes to keep to the fly of which the 
 fish have previously taken most notice ; but it should be one size larger 
 for pools, and two or three sizes for fast-running streams, when fished 
 from the bank. As the waters rise, the fish in shelving pools fortunately 
 shift across stream, or unfortunately work their way up river. The 
 question of size on these occasions can be answered only by the local 
 gillie. I have often gone in one bound from a No. 1 hook to a No. 3-0, 
 and even to 4-0. On the Lochy, for instance, the water may rise as 
 much as four feet without an atom of mud appearing to stay proceedings ; 
 but one has to be more careful there in the matter of size. The last time 
 I visited the lower Beat, my friend J. C. H. captured five of these 
 wanderers with a nondescript fly in one spot. It was dressed on a No. 3-0 
 hook, and had a body of crimson Seal's fur, with a natural furnace 
 hackle along it, and Teal wings. Perhaps the river was five, or even six, 
 feet higher than usual. I dressed the fly afterwards in different sizes, 
 but never touched a fish with a single one of them, until the waters rose 
 as before, when the same pattern again killed excellently. Local fly- 
 dressers would do well to make a note of this. The pool was fairly open, 
 the current not swirly, but straight running. 
 
 Close observation has proved that previous to a thunderstorm Salmon 
 take badly indeed, generally not at all. When the day is still and 
 oppressive, denoting " electricity in the air," fish are " down," and refuse 
 to rise at any fly. But when the grand crash comes the fun is sometimes 
 fast and furious, no matter what fly is used. A few good peals of 
 thunder, with its accompanying downpour of rain, speedily clear the 
 atmosphere, and Salmon, 'in common with animals, and even human 
 beings, are quickly influenced by the change. 
 
 On the top of a flood, before the water clears, an orange body, having 
 a blue hackle over a black one at the throat, and a wing after the fashion 
 
240 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 of that of the " Black Dog," seems to prove best in the vast majority of 
 cases. The " Jungle Hornet " is also a great favourite with me on small 
 rivers. It is, however, varied according to circumstances, but on the top 
 of a flood chiefly so in the materials used for the tail. For instance, on 
 the Usk I should put a tail of scarlet Ibis, on the Wye one of yellow 
 Macaw, and so on. Grubs with orange bodies, having cheeks of Jungle 
 at each hackle, are also required when the water remains discoloured from 
 mud or road washings. 
 
 In peat water (porter coloured) a blue-over-black or a grey Heron 
 hackle also come into favour, as well as clarets and browns for the body ; 
 but the " Silver Doctor," " Silver Grey," and "Wilkinson " are sometimes 
 preferred. These latter patterns kill best on many rivers in bright water 
 and weather ; but when silver bodies are constantly used on dark, cloudy 
 days, as, for instance, on the Lochy they should never be left at home. 
 
 When the bottom of the river is dirty, and a green slimy growth on 
 the stones sways to and fro, fish fast-running waters. Always reduce the 
 size of your fly when a Salmon rises after your pattern has passed him. 
 
 In streams with plenty of uneven rocks temporarily or permanently 
 located on the bed of the river, I do not often find a rival for "Elsie." 
 Here again the dressing is varied ; light colours being reserved for open 
 situations, darker ones for those that are screened. This remark refers 
 both to the body of the fly and the wings. 
 
 In the afternoon I usually dress flies with gold tinsel ribbing instead 
 of silver, which answers best earlier in the day. 
 
 It may be taken as a general rule that one ought to mount com- 
 paratively large flies in cold weather, both for deep pools and level- 
 bottomed streams. But if a sudden change of temperature takes place, 
 the size must be immediately increased or decreased very considerably. 
 Suppose the wind veers suddenly round to the east, and the thermometer 
 falls much whilst the barometer rises, it is useless to persevere with any 
 fly for more than an hour or so after the change sets in. But during that 
 short period, although the fish will cease to show themselves, the Angler 
 who works hard and mounts any of the more suitable patterns as large as 
 those used in the early Spring may yet be rewarded for his pains. I have 
 worked on this principle myself for many years, and recently succeeded 
 
NEW STYLE OF FLY. 241 
 
 in getting " the fish of the river" for the season with a fly as long as 
 one's little finger, while only a few minutes previously an inch " dress " 
 seemed ample for the occasion ; in fact, my friend J. C. H. had been 
 previously successful with even a still smaller pattern. On the occasion 
 to which I allude, as on five out of six former instances recorded in my 
 notes, the fish was taken in the tail of the Catch. I may say that I have 
 heard of a somewhat similar experience, and that now I never waste time 
 on these occasions at the head of any sort of pool. 
 
 For positive snow water that is, when the snow itself is not 
 dissolved and cornes along thick enough to be felt striking the waders 
 flies, like the " Lovat Fly," composed entirely of Peacock's herl, but 
 veiling a silver or gold tinsel body, and whose hackles at the throat are 
 red, yellow, or blue, according to the favourite colour used on the river, 
 should be selected ; and, in my opinion, the Angler will find nothing to 
 beat them. I have, however, met with unusual success on one occasion 
 that presented itself, with a fly introduced to Dee-anglers by William 
 Garden, of Aberdeen. It may be described as a double white-winged fly. 
 Where white wings are fashionable the times to use them are (1) on dark 
 days ; (2) in dark water ; (3) when the sun has nearly set, or when it 
 has quite disappeared. 
 
 DOCBLE WHITE-WINGED AKKOYD. 
 
 Dress the " Akroyd " in a similar fashion, and you have the pattern 
 which you see in the engraving. Spey-anglers would do well to give it a 
 
 R 
 
242 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 trial, varying the wings with Mallard for ordinary occasions. Usk men 
 would probably put black Turkey, having white points, for the sectional 
 wings ; whilst on the Earn four strips of Mandarin Drake* have already 
 secured more than one " tight line." 
 
 But that sort of snow water which presents to the eye a milky 
 appearance is extremely detrimental to sport. As soon as the milkiness 
 passes away the rise of water caused by the melted snow is not so in- 
 jurious as many people imagine ; still it is nearly useless fishing with any 
 fly until the water has fallen one inch outright, and become clearer. 
 
 In snowwater, bright as gin, use transparent hackles, as, for example, 
 the silver furnace, or silver coch-y-bonddu. 
 
 These observations apply rather to the northern than to the southern 
 rivers. In fact, I have never done any good at all in the Test or Usk 
 when snow water hangs about, but have had grand sport on the Spey 
 when the milkiness disappears. But in all countries sport depends much 
 upon the state of the river when the fish enter it. Eunning up in mild 
 weather, and soon afterwards meeting with snow water, Salmon " go off" 
 directly and will look at nothing in the shape of flies ; but under reversed 
 conditions they " come on " just as quickly. The presence of snow in 
 fresh water does not always deter Salmon from leaving the sea ; and 
 when they run in it, the Angler may depend they will take in it. 
 However, this subject is more fully dealt with in Chapter VII.. for, like 
 several other topics, for instance, rain, side reflection, etc., it cannot be 
 condensed into paragraph form with only one or two specimen flies 
 recommended for use. 
 
 Whatever state the water may be in, and at whatever station the 
 Angler may be engaged, no matter whether the pattern selected is bright 
 or sombre, the longer the hackle the less the fly should be played. 
 
 In choosing a long-hackled fly, select, from the sort you want, one 
 with the feather having the most life in it. This holds good on all rivers, 
 exclusive of the Spey, and I fancy the cheesy, inanimate " Spey-cock 
 hackle," though worshipped locally, will soon be superseded by others 
 which are more mobile and never " drone " or " droop." There is, for 
 example, more life in a " Grey Heron " or a " Night Heron " (red) than in 
 
 * Vide the "Mandarin Drake" fly, Chapter IV. 
 
DEE PATTERNS. 243 
 
 
 
 a " Black Heron " ; more life, in fact, in any hackle those of the " Eagle " 
 class excepted than in the fluffy butt of a " Spey-hackle." But the 
 question of colour, whether natural or artificial, must not be overlooked 
 in any case. 
 
 On no account should the student select a gaudy fly to begin fishing 
 with ; for, without considerable interval, it hardly ever pays to present a 
 sombre one afterwards. 
 
 He should always mount a fly one size less than recommended rather 
 than one size larger, unless exceptional circumstances occur. For 
 instance, the very principle of attack may necessitate either a small or a 
 large pattern ; that is to say, when wading you may use a one-inch 
 " dress " fishing the same water from the shore, a two-inch " dress." In 
 the former case the fly dwells over the catches, whilst the large fly 
 "fishes" quickly. Again, as a general rule, he should fix upon a fly 
 having ribs of silver early in the year. In Summer, and particularly in 
 Autumn, all patterns, even silver bodies, are more effectual when dressed 
 with ribs of gold tinsel. 
 
 I would call the reader's special attention to the next paragraph. 
 
 When flies characterised (like Dee patterns) by thin wings and long 
 hackles fail, and the pool or other fishing-place is long enough, rough 
 enough, and spacious enough to bear the work of four or five such flies, 
 one should first select patterns of dull decoration, and in choosing brighter 
 sorts, should hasten the pace of the fly as it comes across the water, 
 either by bringing the rod round faster, or standing farther out from the 
 fish. (Jungle, for instance, unless good, has a brownish tint over the 
 white spots Turkey may have creamy points instead of pure white ones.) 
 Afterwards you choose from patterns dressed with short hackles and 
 heavy wings. But although badly-marked feathers of this description are 
 not generally considered to decorate the dresser's cabinet, they minister 
 to his wants by helping to tone down any pattern for the preliminary pro- 
 ceedings in this and similar instances. 
 
 Supposing the bed of the river to be of a slaty nature (recognised by 
 the Trent term " skerry ") and the day dull, dark blue, dark claret, or 
 even dark orange, with black Seal's fur or silk at the throat, will form the 
 best body materials. And where the fish will stand it, a few or more 
 
 R2 
 
244 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 strands of Peacock's herl should be added to any built wing. Spey fish 
 object to herl ; Usk fish adore it. 
 
 But if the bed of the river be light in character, say, owing to bright 
 gravel, or even chalk, crimson-majenta coming on the body before any 
 kind of claret ; bright yellow before any blue often produce good results ; 
 whilst heavy wings, short hackles, and Ibis "sides" give way to strip 
 wings, long hackles, and " cheeks " of red Crow. 
 
 For a fish lying in a deep dip in a pool behind an upright rock 
 mount a very bright-bodied fly (especially if the weather happens to clear) 
 having two or three toppings over wings of double Jungle ; should the 
 sun shine, the pattern may carry four, or even five, toppings " King 
 Alfred " is my favourite at such a place under such conditions. 
 
 Where light is reflected from white or shiny cliffs, use bright colours 
 throughout the combination with plenty of tinsel ribbing, and let the fly 
 be rather small. Coming upon this condition in deep, somewhat dis- 
 coloured water having a comparatively rough surface, a silver-bodied fly 
 perhaps twice as large is necessary ; the wing should be composed of herl. 
 The " Silver Spectre " would meet the case. 
 
 For large flies in the Spring of the year Pig's-wool bodies are often 
 more deadly than those of Seal's fur. 
 
 "Sides" and " cheeks " invariably adorn the pattern for very deep 
 water ; and for rapids select cheeks of the enamelled Thrush, Indian 
 Crow, or Jungle, and not Summer Duck. 
 
 For dark, wet days, as a rule, nothing beats black and white speckled 
 wings over a dark body having a long hackle, with a short one at the 
 throat of a similar black and white speckle. This characteristic can be 
 maintained in making up any type of fly, but is best shown when the 
 wings are in strips. Take, for instance, the " Hough Grouse " on the 
 Spey. It has a black body, grey Heron hackle, and a speckled Turkey 
 throat and strip-wings from the same bird. Again, on a bright day, 
 cinnamon wings over black are hard to beat. And when the water is very 
 clear in Spring though it be snow water I like a long Irish grey hackle 
 on almost any kind of fly. 
 
 To those who are unable to dress or " cobble up " their own flies, it 
 may be urged with confidence that when a fish rises and refuses, one 
 
A SALMON'S HOLIDAY. 245 
 
 must lessen the effect of the pattern in use by taking from the wing part 
 of the more conspicuous materials before allowing the fish to make a 
 second inspection. Thus " Jock Scott " having risen a fish, the Angler 
 cuts, not pulls, from the wing the "Jungle " sides, as well as the under, 
 not the upper, half of the white-tipped Turkey underwing. He will 
 resort to this practice only in the event of his being without a sombre- 
 winged fly (such as " Charlie " or " Fairy ") having a yellow and black 
 body. The Angler, however, who is familiar with the practice is always 
 prepared with various " modifications " of the general standard flies of the 
 river he is fishing. 
 
 All modifications belong to the list of "nondescripts," but a few have 
 become standards. The more intimately acquainted the Angler makes 
 himself with the specific purpose of each one of these, the better for his 
 season's record. The real purpose of any " nondescript " I allude to 
 those not as yet classed or described, but which are found in the book of an 
 adept is simply illustrated in the above case of the "yellow and black 
 body " ; in other words, some sort of companion fly has to be presented 
 to the fish which rises and refuses. As another illustration, the " Lee 
 Blue " would be followed by the " Lee Blue and Grey." 
 
 The really formidable consideration which will confront the learner 
 is that connected with the Salmon's play hours and " half-holiday? " 
 
 These intervals come as suddenly as they end. What I mean is, that 
 fish, up and down the river, suddenly cease to take good hold of a fly, and 
 rise only to tug at it. Yet even here Time is a reasoner too powerful to 
 be overcome. Success, if attainable at all, is not denied in such a crisis 
 to those who come at once down to small, sombre patterns, to " Elsie " 
 and her class, which carry extra large and extra showy " sides " and 
 " cheeks." But if these intervals arise from thunder or pollution, the 
 Angler may rest for awhile. Grilse, however, do not so much mind a 
 thunderstorm. 
 
 In my opinion, all flies should have their " Grub " ; by this, I mean 
 a wingless nondescript having three, four, or five sectional hackles on the 
 body. But with all the foregoing examples, I have touched scarcely more 
 as yet than the fringe of the subject ! Perhaps I ought to come now to 
 discuss the effects upon fish of a certain secret force latent in Nature, and 
 
246 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 then describe the flies which I have found to produce remarkable effects 
 under certain collateral circumstances and conditions. 
 
 It is under circumstances, about to be mentioned, that experience 
 teaches us clearly how much we have yet to learn before we can confidently 
 rely upon any pattern as yet invented. Every Fisherman who knows his 
 business is, however, aware of the facility with which we can both choose 
 and use a fly for ordinary occasions. But the invention of flies, indeed, 
 presents an almost inexhaustible field for the solution of doubts ; and 
 there are certain occasions when an Angler of the greatest skill as a 
 wader and caster will scarcely secure a fish by aid of the best pattern. 
 
 If the cause of these things lie in obscurity, the v fact remains. Ac- 
 cordingly, a note of warning is here sounded to this effect, that 
 the mere knowledge of any secret trick does not always enable the person 
 initiated to kill fish. Success largely depends, not only on covering 
 every inch of the water with a special fly, but also on the position and 
 manner the Fisherman assumes. In vain may he fish with an ordinary 
 pattern from the wrong spot. But of his " rn<mner " I have a word to 
 say by way of preface to this deep subject. 
 
 How much cerebral power Salmon possess no one can determine ; 
 but we know for a fact that fish hear as well as see, or, at all events, are 
 capable of receiving impressions of sound. We also know that the 
 presence of an Angler need not necessarily alarm the fish which see him. 
 It would seem, too, that the hearing power of a Salmon is of small 
 portent so long as the conduct of the Fisherman does not excite si;s- 
 picion. The Angler must disarm all apprehension. His gait and mien 
 must be as unconcerned among Salmon as that of the plough boy 
 " trolling his song of the soil " among rooks. His unconscious presence 
 in (or out of) the water, on the occasions about to be mentioned, must be 
 where he can bring the fly over the catches, not sideways, but so that it 
 fishes straight on reaching the area of the hold itself. 
 
 UNKNOWN AGENCIES AT WORK. As soon as the waters settle down, 
 success in Angling nowadays is mainly due to (1) the correct reading of 
 Nature ; (2) the understanding of certain technical matters. Sir John 
 Lubbock, in The Pleasures of Life, tells us that technical works bear the 
 same relation to science as dictionaries do to literature. And says, " that 
 
TO CIRCUMVENT CONDITIONS OF WEATHER. 247 
 
 without a knowledge of botany we may admire flowers and trees, yet 
 only as strangers only as one may admire a great man or a beautiful 
 woman in a crowd." 
 
 These remarks might easily apply to Salmon-angling, for only the 
 adept gets a full measure of enjoyment from it. With Anglers, as with 
 other people, there is no accounting for the idiosyncrasy which leads one 
 to simply observe with interest the development of phenomena, and 
 another to analyse their causes. Sometimes the tastes of a Fisherman 
 lead him only in the direction of getting at the action of an ideal rod, so 
 as to make himself master of the various methods of casting. The taste 
 of another inclines him to study temperature, light, and shade, or 
 geological formation as affecting the choice of flies ; or even to try ex- 
 periments in fly composition on occasions when the fish seem positively 
 spellbound and refuse to be inveigled ; and so on. But with regard to 
 this particular mood of the fish, it would be wise for the Angler to dispel 
 from his mind the old-fashioned belief that Salmon have their own 
 especial feeding times. When a pool, nay, the whole district, is blank, 
 not a movement seen, not a "rug" had anywhere by anyone, surely some 
 mysterious influence must be at work. As a matter of fact, we know 
 that under certain conditions, those, for instance, when a whole reach is 
 literally alive with fish, and within a few moments not a splash, not a 
 ring seen for hours, it is absolutely useless to persevere with ordinary 
 flies. We believe the fish have become amenable to some secret agency, 
 the effect of which has been made only too evident to the observer as the 
 waters have become more and more contaminated by the ever growing 
 and disgraceful pollutions. Nevertheless, by the inductive process of 
 reasoning from accurate observation and comparison of notes, we have 
 managed to formulate certain rules in fly composition, and constant per- 
 severance under the above circumstances with special patterns has led to 
 a solution of, at any rate, one of our most intricate problems. May I 
 repeat, if the cause of these things lies in some obscurity, the fact of our 
 occasionally mastering these fish remains. 
 
 Now we may safely lay it down as a sound principle from which to start 
 this interesting subject that the lingering doubt evinced by Salmon on 
 certain days is not due to caprice, but rather to agencies, which, though 
 
248 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 busily at work, are not open to vulgar gaze. It will be long, perhaps, 
 before we become thoroughly acquainted with all their peculiarities ; yet 
 we have to deal with them as best we may. One thing we do know, and 
 it is this the influences at work last longer over some fish than over 
 others ; and equally certain is it that fresh-run fish are the least affected, 
 they being the first to show themselves when the " depression" is passing 
 away. 
 
 When limited to the form of disturbance, which I have termed 
 " lingering doubt," the influence is invariably of a local character. But 
 in respect of more serious obstinacy, Nature sometimes decrees that the 
 area of the mischief is not local, but general ; and th'en every fish in the 
 river seems restrained from stirring to acknowledge any fly presented in 
 any way. On these occasions our hopes of success are so thwarted as to 
 induce us to throw up the game in despair and wait " for the next deal." 
 
 (At this point I would remind the novice that failure to attract the 
 fish at any time may arise from the fault of the Fisherman a failure of 
 no uncommon occurrence to those who do not care to study the subject of 
 presentation. On the other hand, even if the rod is used to perfection, 
 the Angler may yet fail from want of knowledge in connection with flies. 
 He presents, well, just the very one he should keep dry in his book. He 
 is trying a tiny or a thin fly ; a big [or a bulky one ; a blue, or a poor 
 thing without much colour or marked characteristics whether the water 
 is deep, shallow, ruffled or smooth. When once he gets over these pre- 
 liminaries he will be better able to cope with the more common con- 
 tingencies in fishing. How, then, should he proceed to do so ? This is 
 not a question to be easily answered. The young Angler, like the young 
 fly-dresser, is oftsn driven to find out everything for t himself ; no wonder 
 he as often falls short of the achievements of experienced men of the day. 
 Very plausible is the argument that many of the errors and indiscretions 
 that we all commit in choosing and using flies might have been avoided 
 by a timely reference to some authoritative treatise, written in such a way 
 as to somewhat clear the ground for the uninitiated. And yet no man 
 who overcomes one trouble escapes walking into another ; but he walks 
 with his eyes open, and with a knowledge of many of the conveniences 
 and inconveniences likely to be entailed upon him thereby.) 
 
PHYSICAL CONDITIONS. 249 
 
 Brushing aside these considerations and coming direct to the 
 questions at issue, I say plainly, that while the laws which govern the 
 Salmon in his choice of the composition and presentation of the flies he 
 sees are enveloped in mystery, the recurrence ana operation of the 
 respective conditions which have induced us to adapt certain principles 
 are so easily perceived and detected that, to a great extent, we have 
 become familiarised to their ever-varying mature. This of itself is enough 
 to show that the true pleasures of angling consist first, in grasping 
 natural facts ; secondly, in so encountering these facts as to render them 
 remunerative to the very utmost extent. The truth is that Science is 
 only just now beginning to unfold her wonders. At some far off period, 
 perhaps, all the present lines of inquiry will have been followed to their 
 conclusion, and new ones, as yet undreamt of, opened up. 
 
 Be that as it may, I am fully of opinion that we possess ample 
 evidence to justify us in reconciling ourselves to the statement that some 
 secret force is apt to affect the fish's physical organisation ; yet it would 
 puzzle a world of scientists to say where this sympathy lies, and what is 
 the connecting link between the fish's psychical inertia and its physical 
 sensations. 
 
 It is not my intention to discuss the subject which I have associated 
 with these inert fish at any great length ; still, I am bound to direct the 
 angling student to the best means for their capture. He will doubtless be 
 interested to hear that certain flies have been tested for many years 
 with highly satisfactory results. Two of the most remarkable patterns 
 have to be more or less varied, and I will now take them in review- 
 seriatim. 
 
 When the fish suddenly cease to show themselves, and that condition 
 of " lingering doubt " is noticed in bright weather, we use 
 
 A VABIEGATED SUN FLY 
 
 or 
 A BLACK FANCY. 
 
 I pause here to explain the system to follow in constituting these 
 lures, for they best serve our purpose when so varied as to accord with 
 the characteristics of the river on which we happen to be engaged. My 
 reason is this : It is obvious to all interested in this advanced treatment 
 
250 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 that, to describe an individual fly for every pool, every stream, rapid and 
 flat, in any one district, considerable space would be occupied ; and that the 
 volume itself would be insufficient to hold descriptions for the whole river. 
 
 The only practical course open to me provides a general observance 
 of the laws framed to meet the exigencies of colour and character in- 
 dividually, and this, with a few general principles affecting the variations 
 as a whole, should, I take it, be enough for dressers of experience, or of 
 sufficient experience to understand the meaning and construction of 
 " decided " patterns. (Perhaps a knowledge of that matter is purchasable 
 without much practical experience. An unenlightened man might forth- 
 with avail himself of the wisdom and experience of any of his superiors 
 who would kindly inform him that all " decided " patterns are established 
 and recognised by the proper distribution of any one colour through their 
 constituent parts. Any one colour added to the tag, tail, body, hackle and 
 wings results in forming a very decided pattern.) 
 
 How, it may be asked, are these results accomplished '? The answer, 
 both as to theory and practice, is extremely simple. 
 
 To begin with, a blue or any other coloured fly, deadly on one river, 
 is repulsive to the fish on another. For that reason in a technical 
 angling sense we may say there are "Blue rivers," " Ked rivers," 
 " Yellow rivers," and " Grey rivers " each one of which is pretty sure to 
 differ in respect of character. For instance, long bodies, long hackles, and 
 light wings may do well on one river, and be out of character on another. 
 The Spey, for one example, is predisposed to long hackles and light 
 wings ; whilst Tweed fish prefer short hackles and a liberal amount of 
 " built " wing. Again, the Usk and several Scotch rivers require fairly- 
 thick bodies and heavy wings ; though on the Inver, Lochy, Ness, 
 Helmsdale, Earn, Erne, and most Irish waters, thin bodies, short hackles, 
 and light wings predominate. 
 
 . From these premises a dresser would suppose that he has to vary 
 these two flies in four different directions : but I shall deal with them 
 separately in a few moments. I have chosen this way of entering into 
 details as the interests of the average Angler are at stake ; character, for 
 example, denotable in all ordinary flies dressed on up-to-date principles, is 
 a stylish hall-mark of infinite importance in everyday fishing. 
 
DIFFERENT COLOURS OF FLIES. 25] 
 
 Tn illustration of the quality of colour, the Tweed and Earn fish love 
 blue; the Dee (N.B.) and Usk fish prefer red; the Spey and Don, yellow ; 
 the Lochy and Wye, grey. It need not be inferred that the combination 
 of any of these flies (or of other decided patterns) is not to include some 
 blue, or some red, yellow, or grey, or even two or more of these or of other 
 colours. The dresser completes his fly en regie, so as to make a decided 
 blue-river pattern, a decided red-river pattern, etc., as the order from the 
 Fisherman necessitates rather than directs. The silk tag, in all cases, 
 tallies with the colour of the river, except in the case of grey rivers, when 
 instead of grey silk, the dresser uses silk of any colour which, in common, 
 also pleases the fish. The Lochy and Wye, as I have said, are grey rivers, 
 but I use a yellow tag for both. 
 
 In order to obviate misconception about grey rivers, I would explain 
 that, in making up everyday patterns for them, we depend more upon 
 the effect of grey feathers than upon silks, furs, and wools. A " dash " of 
 mouse-grey Seal's fur in some part of the body of an ordinary fly is 
 admissable and helpful ; but here we look more to a judicious employ- 
 ment of Teal, Widgeon, grey Mallard, Summer Duck, Gallina, etc. ; and 
 to Irish-grey or Plymouth Rock body-hackles, whilst we use Amherst 
 Pheasant for horns. 
 
 The dresser may now wish to know how to enlarge his method of 
 dressing. For this purpose, I will deal first with the Variegated Sun Fly 
 by itself. 
 
 The chief point of all to bear in mind is size. I have tried 
 large specimens for years, and never once succeeded with one. 
 They are not to be dressed larger than No. 1 Eedditch scale ; No. 4 
 being considered as the most useful all-round size even smaller, if 
 the surface of the water happens to be smooth, would pay better. 
 This condition cannot be too strongly put ; from it there is no 
 departure. 
 
 The results of my experiments have also led me to the conclusion 
 that a thick body is desirable. So thick have I made these flies that the 
 bulky lump at the throat would, without the greatest care, cause them to 
 " skirt " and " wobble." To overcome this defect, I decided to make the 
 bodies spindle-shaped. They answer uncommonly well so much so, 
 
252 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 that, in the brightest sun, these little gems retain, and will for long retain, 
 their deadly significance. 
 
 In nearly all cases, a short black hackle is employed at the throat ; 
 but two, or even three, turns in excess of what is usual are to be allowed. 
 Sometimes, however, I use only a Gallina throat, as, for instance, on the 
 Wye and Spey. 
 
 The best natural black hackles for the purpose are termed " bastard 
 hackles." These are often found on the back or in the neck of a 
 common grey-speckled cock, and on an imperfect Plymouth Eock. They 
 are best on account of their sheen and depth of tone. But as regards 
 black hackles, should warm weather set in early, that is to say, earlier 
 than in the middle of May, a hackle dyed black is recommended. On the 
 other hand, after June a natural black hackle is nearly indispensable, and 
 especially so when the current is somewhat fast. 
 
 Now suppose the dresser has an order for this fly from the Usk, he 
 will adopt red characteristics ; accordingly he works up scarlet silk and 
 scarlet Ibis for the tag and tail. He puts only red, yellow, and black 
 coils in the body ; and uses red Macaw for horns. 
 
 After all that has been said, I think this one example is quite 
 sufficient for the dresser to be almost sure of achievement with any of 
 these variations. I can vouch for the hints enumerated being of service 
 to Anglers on the Lochy, Spey, Tweed, Wye, Usk, Earn, Shannon, 
 Towy, Cothi, Findhorn, Don, Test, Lee, and Blackwater (Cork), South 
 Esk, Helmsdale, Brora, Beauly, Erne, Conway, Torridge, Annan, and 
 Blackwater (N.B.). Thick bodies fail on the Dee. How far it is advisable 
 to be so particular in varying the fly for other rivers I cannot decide 
 from actual experience ; but I doubt if many exceptions will be found. 
 A certain amount of sport may be had with any one variety, but the best 
 of sport can only be obtained by a rigid adherence to the principles in 
 varying the dressing which I have now laid down. 
 
 What now of the " Black Fancy ? " 
 
 As a rule, it is well to try this fly over a fish before the other, but, 
 on that point, the expert had better be left to his own resources. The 
 body of it is of ordinary shape, and is made thick or thin as occasions 
 demand. It is always of black silk ; and, excepting " blue rivers," when 
 
SUN FLIES. 253 
 
 the throat hackle is blue, the hackle for the body and throat is black, 
 taken from one's collection of the natural or the dyed sort, according to 
 the time of year as previously specified. 
 
 The tag, tail, and wings carry their share of the different coloured 
 materials in order to produce the effect desired. And so far as regards 
 the size of the Black Fancy, there is no limit. 
 
 Particulars relating to minor details, such as size of tinsel, fineness 
 of hook, etc., I leave to the judgment of the Angler, who should, at all 
 events, clearly express himself thereon in his letter to the dresser. 
 
 Taking the majority of rivers as a guide, I give the blue characteristics 
 to the two dressings appended : 
 
 THE VARIEGATED SUN FLY (BLUE). 
 TAG. Silver twist and medium blue silk. 
 TAIL. A topping and powdered blue Macaw. 
 BODY. In coils (wasp fashion and spindle-shaped) of red, black, 
 
 yellow, and blue Berlin wool. 
 THROAT. Black hackle (plenty). 
 WINGS. Six toppings. 
 HORNS. Blue Macaw. 
 
 THE BLACK FANCY (BLUE). 
 TAG. Silver twist and medium blue silk. 
 TAIL. A topping and Chatterer. 
 BUTT. Black herl. 
 BODY. Black silk. 
 BIBS. Silver tinsel (oval). 
 THROAT. Black hackle and Jay. 
 WINGS. Two short tippets (back to back) veiled on each side with 
 
 projecting Mallard and two toppings. 
 CHEEKS. In this variety only, Chatterer. 
 
 At this stage I desire to point out not only what Salmon mistake 
 flies for, but why they take them at all ; and also to offer what evidence 
 I can as to why they sometimes prefer one pattern more than another. 
 
 Now, I just want those who entertain various opinions, perhaps 
 more or less injurious to their own interests, to concentrate their 
 attention for a brief while upon certain established particulars of the 
 
254 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 Salmon's habit of feeding, all of which happen to be within my own 
 knowledge, for there is really nothing so much talked of in our pastime, 
 and so little understood, as either the artificial or the natural Salmon-fly. 
 
 The natural fly which a Salmon will take has received, as yet, far less 
 than its due meed of consideration, and so a little scepticism, if not a 
 great deal, is pardonable. The modest silence in which local Anglers 
 continue their investigations and experiments has most probably caused 
 the matter to be kept from the knowledge of all, except those immedi- 
 ately concerned. I, for one, however, have long since known from actual 
 observation that the natural Salmon-fly varies with a vengeance in size, 
 in character, and in general appearance. That it confines itself to its own 
 particular river, etc., etc., as we shall see a little later on. 
 
 For the present, I content myself with treating of the artificial 
 specimen, and shall bring to light some of the scientific (and unscientific) 
 explanations which have been hazarded about it. 
 
 I wish to treat the questions at issue, not from an aggressive stand- 
 point, and yet, whilst exposing what, to my thinking, are the erroneous 
 ideas of others, to state fairly my own, and give ample proof of the benefit 
 to be derived from them. 
 
 I would first remark that, in these utilitarian days and practical 
 results, all classes occasionally unite to express their opinion on these 
 questions in the columns of contemporary journals. In order to obtain 
 new ideas, the best of all possible reasons, Editorial encouragement is 
 frequently held out by such invitations as, " perhaps some of our cor- 
 respondents can enlighten us," so that any novice may write, as if 
 invested with the fullest authority. The results of this practice are 
 peculiar, but, as an old hand, what odds, I would ask, is it whether the 
 truth is brought out by hook or by crook or by book? They occasionally 
 answer some purpose in fishing. But when these Editorial measures, 
 though full of purpose, happen to be concerned with a question so 
 pregnant as " What is a Salmon-fly ? " Fishermen naturally think twice 
 before trusting to haphazard opinion. " What is a Salmon-fly ? " is the 
 very point for us to consider just now, and though the solution may 
 appear difficult, it certainly is not impossible; yet truth lies at the bottom, 
 of a well. 
 
THE SALMON'S INSTINCT IN CHOICE OF FLIES. 255 
 
 On the supposition that all the elements of the problem lie before us, 
 nothing can be more preposterous than to imagine that the exact truth 
 can be found out in a hurry. We have no direct communication with the 
 fish. Still, admitting this, it must be acknowledged that certain points 
 are already thoroughly well known, although confined to individual 
 localities. 
 
 I invite the reader to look closely into the following facts, and to 
 bear in mind, while so doing, that speculation must invariably occupy the 
 ground where proof is wanting. 
 
 To attempt, moreover, to analyse rightly the points at issue without 
 discussing analogous matters freely would be to engage in a task at once 
 unprofitable, if not impossible. And this means that, in my case at least, 
 very close compression is impossible. 
 
 Many will say, " I refuse to believe that your ' Jock Scotts ' repre- 
 sent flies, as I fail to fix upon Nature's equivalent to them. I can 
 comprehend what one member of this royal family the Trout, to wit 
 says for himself in taking the " Alder " for an alder, the " May fly "for a 
 may fly ; I can also understand that Trout distinguish between one fly 
 and another, no matter whether the pattern be less, or very much more, 
 picturesque than Nature dictates ; so I don't go to anybody to explain to 
 me why it is that a Trout is sometimes taken in by a showy leg or an 
 unnatural bit of wing colouring, or body ornamentation. One thing seems 
 certain, in my estimation, Trout mistake our flies for natural flies, but I 
 am all at sea with his majestic relative, the Salmon, and there ends the 
 matter." 
 
 The answer is, that instinct directs the choice of food in all fish and 
 in every animal. Those of the lowest order possess this instinct by which 
 they are enabled to distinguish the appearance and taste of edibles 
 generally. Even the sea anemone contributes entertaining evidence in 
 showing a sense by which it recognises its proper food. When a small 
 piece of fish is brought carefully to the tentacles of one of these animals, 
 whose mouth is widely open, the food is seized and surrounded by them, 
 and the morsel disappears ; I mean, that we actually see it swallowed. 
 If we present the anemone with a film of wool or cotton, it is refused. 
 
 I would also remark that, in maiden rivers, Salmon are not first 
 
256 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 taught to take flies of iridescent loveliness blazing forth in dazzling 
 colours of radiant beauty, such as, a century ago, would have frightened 
 all of them back to sea. Far from it. Enterprising men, imbued with 
 the "spirit of modernity," have gradually educated Salmon up to taking 
 patterns which have been imposed upon us by Necessity the nursing 
 mother of fishing in its higher forms ; and though, in choosing flies, 
 
 "Fashion is a living law, whose sway 
 Men, more than all the written laws, obey," 
 
 this supreme dictatress of taste often decides for us that the inartistic 
 finish of a plain " March Brown" (Salmon size) or a coch-a-bonddu hackle 
 with a plain Turkey wing, once considered by MX. Salmon a tasteful 
 rig, is undeniably uninteresting to him in these days of fashion and 
 competition. But put two fibres of red Toucan in the tail of a March- 
 Brown, and see how it answers ! 
 
 As a link in the chain of evidence that takes us from the caprice of 
 these affectedly modest patterns, I perfectly remember the initial effect of 
 certain gaudy feathers upon, not one, but several rivers. In their progress 
 towards general use, the greatest care and judgment of the fly-tier pre- 
 vailed, and the mere suspicion of their presence was enough to begin with. 
 Early in the " fifties," for instance, Spey fish first saw " Jungle." For a 
 time brief, I admit the feathers there were simply branded with the 
 stigma of public opprobrium. But the fiat had gone forth. Nature knew 
 full well that Salmon, like herself, show a decided preference for finery. 
 She knew full well, too, that under certain pressure, fashions may, without 
 exaggeration of words, be said to change from day to day. The sombre 
 " trimmings " and " cut " which was de rigeur on a fly forty-eight hours 
 ago may be placed under the ban of Forrests or Wrights, Farlows or 
 Turnbulls, Mallochs or Redpaths, and so on. The Spey does not stand 
 alone in this respect, for, although the best Spey fly among the old hands 
 is a plain, flimsy, ragged-tailed " Riach " ; yet, among the students of the 
 " progressive " School, some have at length discovered with languid 
 surprise that not a few good Spey fish are often led to destruction by a 
 liberal use of Jungle and Summer Duck, Golden and Amherst Pheasant 
 feathers. 
 
 Thus far, however, the reader is only reminded in my arguments (to 
 
THE BIGHT SORT OF FLY. 257 
 
 which I shall return) that the Salmon's motive in taking flies is a problem 
 which has frequently been misunderstood ; and that, in the case of Trout, 
 all doubts have long since been set at rest. 
 
 Naturally enough, in fishing either for Salmon or Trout, one judges 
 by what comes under one's own immediate notice. On the Wandle, for 
 instance, as a humble spectator myself, I have seen Trout prefer the 
 artificial to the natural insect that is to say, an " Olive Dun," by 
 Holland or by Hardy, floating down stream in company with several living 
 flies of the same kind has been so singularly attractive and effectual as to 
 force the fish to leave the others alone, and " go " for it. Then on several 
 rivers, Salmon always, and for the most obvious reasons, hold in abey- 
 ance habits of existence, which, however, invariably assert themselves at 
 the first opportune occasion ; and then a fly, equally true to nature as 
 regards colour of body, or exact in some other peculiarity, is just as 
 necessary to ensure good sport. 
 
 Now, if I may venture to say so, no further evidence is wanted to 
 satisfy me that, in the matter of like and dislike, and discrimination as to 
 what they conceive good to eat, Salmon are exceedingly nice. In fact, I 
 attribute my greatest angling successes to the conclusion that, not long 
 after a flood, the impetuosity of the Salmon's nature is held in check by a 
 downright " business faculty " of a highly efficient kind, and that his 
 " enthusiasm " rarely impels him to lavish even as much as curiosity upon 
 a fly unless it be the right sort i.e., a tasty bit put before him in the right 
 way. And yet we encounter narrow worshippers who simply burn for the 
 heat of the fray,, and publicly declare they can hold their own in com- 
 petition with only three or four patterns ! Their doctrine is contrary to 
 reason, it has no meaning, except on the Dee in Spring, and it is 
 impossible. 
 
 But to the world at large to see for certain what a Salmon does is a 
 rare accomplishment. People for the most part are not gifted with the 
 power of sight, or the power to employ their sight, to detect its habits 
 when feeding in fresh water ; and have never seen the explanation given 
 in books, because the writers could not explain ; some, even officials, going 
 so far as to say, " They don't feed at all ! " 
 
 Even if we had the necessary power of vision and the inclination of 
 
 s 
 
258 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 mind to make inspections, one has to travel far and wide and there wait 
 for an opportunity. At first, with the unaided eye, I saw little or nothing, 
 and not half as much as I wanted to until after years and years of 
 practice, and then only by the aid of powerful field glasses. At last I had 
 distinct ocular proof that Salmon feed on flies, moths, wasps, and cater- 
 pillars, as well as on their own species. But this is not all, for, after 
 baiting clear places for the purpose, I have seen them pick up prawns and 
 pass by worms indeed, it would appear unnatural for them to come 
 across worms except in discoloured water. 
 
 There is no necessity to dilate on individual gifts, on incomparable 
 skill, or on the magic power of the human eye. WKat one man can see 
 and record with precision, even only after years of practice, is a feat not 
 hopelessly impossible to others. 
 
 (The peculiarities of Salmon amongst fish suggest to me a likeness to 
 the pigeon, and this prompts me sometimes to call the Salmon " the 
 pigeon of the river." The bird's and the fish's homing propensity is per- 
 sistent and followed with a like miraculous accuracy. As regards the 
 Salmon, here is a case in point. The late Frank Buckland managed to 
 secure several fish from the west coast of Ireland, all of which he marked 
 and succeeded in transporting to the east coast, where they were set at 
 liberty. In the Autumn of the same year, if I remember rightly, many 
 of these fish were captured in the very same rivers from which they had 
 been taken in the early Spring.) 
 
 I once ventured upon writing to the Press on the subject before us. 
 Laymen, cum multis aliis, had aired their views in sporting books and 
 angling newspapers. With the latter gentlemen I have little present 
 concern save to tell them of a fishing companion's remark when he and I 
 discussed certain (as I thought impracticable) speculations. 
 
 " Oh, I know ! " said he, " somebody is going to bring out a fly 
 having scales, and fins, and gills, and fish's eyes stuck on ; this is paving 
 the way for a new bait that will do honour to the inhabitants of 
 Arcadia." 
 
 My letter led to further discussion. One eminent authority in Trout 
 fishing stated that the ' ; Alexandra " fly is taken for a Minnow. Another 
 wverred that " Jock Scott " is to the Salmon a mere variegated wrasse ; 
 
FACTS AND FANCIES IN FLY FISHING. '25'J 
 
 that some of our standards are simply representations of the mackerel 
 tribe, prawns, and so on. Into any other curious theories than these I 
 hesitate to pursue this delicate subject. Who, however, can possibly 
 believe what we are told in another place, that Salmon take our flies for 
 sea weed ! Who can dream of supposing but no. The inquiry, as I 
 have said, is too delicate, and I will not bring other opinions forward. 
 
 But where is the evidence in support of these statements'? How can 
 they be substantiated? I am bound to say that all such ideas are 
 entirely upset by my own experience in Salmon-fly fishing. Were it not 
 so, the whole of this book, the materials for which have taken a lifetime to 
 collect, falls to pieces. No particle of evidence is forthcoming to show 
 that those who are interested in fly problems need accept such 
 opinions. 
 
 I need not dwell on the subject, though it forcibly recalls a Scotch 
 Gillie's definition of metaphysics : 
 
 " It's joost this twa men arguing togither. He that's list'ning dis 
 na ken what he that's speaking means, and he that's speaking dis na ken 
 what he means his ain sel' that's metapheesics." 
 
 But perhaps I should add that I applied to the Editor of the sporting 
 journal in question for permission to ventilate those opinions in these 
 pages. The prompt and sympathetic reception my proposal met with, 
 attested the interest my opinions had excited, and I recur to it now with 
 a pleasure which is enhanced by my more recent observations. 
 
 I have a little to add and nothing to alter in the letter published in 
 the Field in 1892 under the title of Facts and Fancies in Fly Fishing. 
 My signature was appended, as I never write to the Press expressing 
 opinions on these matters under a nom de plume, nor without volunteering 
 explanations when it seems necessary. 
 
 The letter runs on these lines : 
 
 " In fishing, matters of fact are to the Angler's judgment the same thing as 
 food to the body. On the due digestion of facts depends the wisdom and success 
 of the one, just as vigour and health depend on the other. By common consent it 
 is agreed that in Trout fishing we have long since arrived at the plain truth about 
 nies, from which, at all events, we derive much practical benefit. That is to say, 
 we have satisfied ourselves that Trout take, or rather mistake, artificial flies for 
 living insects, and we work on certain principles accordingly. We have determined 
 
 8 2 
 
260 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 this from evidence set before our very eyes, and it is little use disputing the fact. 
 Strange as it must appear, however, to the uninitiated (for people think differently 
 and set up all kind of theories), we have, in the opinion of some judges, reasons 
 for coming to the same conclusion as regards Salmon. In fact, had we worked on 
 any other principle it would have involved signal defeat in a vast number of 
 instances extending over a period of many years. We shall presently also see 
 whether it is better to follow mere speculative fancies, hopelessly ineffectual, or a 
 well-authenticated summary of interesting facts. Let me remark at the onset .that 
 I have never yet heard or seen in print any one single statement from a first-class 
 Salmon-angler one recognised as an authority by the experienced calculated to 
 support the prevailing idea that Salmon fancy our flies represent living things on 
 which they feed and fatten in the sea. This mistaken notion emanates from men 
 conscientious enough to doubt, but who jump at conclusions without ever having 
 had an opportunity by the riverside to enlighten them on the subject. My object 
 in writing is to endeavour, for the sake of beginners, to upset these speculative 
 fancies, and to show how I myself have profited by a system which sooner or later 
 will be respected by all. 
 
 " Of late years the education of Salmon and Trout has become a subject of 
 more general care and attention. Assuming that we tried for Trout with a 
 straw-bodied May fly where the natural insect is unknown to the fish, say on the 
 Anton which runs in that famous river for May fly-fishing, the Test, what sport 
 could we expect ? Simply none. Dame Nature, for some lieneficent reason of her 
 own, fails to furnish a supply of these ephemera on the tributary, yet within a 
 stone's throw the yield on the main stream is very heavy. No wonder the sport 
 in the May-fly season is good in one place and worthless in another. The fact is, 
 Trout, in the selection of food, follow predilections implanted by Nature. The 
 flies which, as a rule, best allure them must therefore copy as closely as possible 
 the natural flies which are their most appreciated food. In the case of Salmon 
 this is not quite so evident, and so Fishermen have come to the conclusion that 
 man, for better or worse, educates Salmon, whilst Nature, for the most part, 
 educates Trout. At any rate, this is especially evidenced on Salmon rivers, both 
 in the combination of the actual materials employed in flies, and in the good or 
 bad all-round system of fishing I mean not only as regards the character, style, 
 and size of the flies used, but also in the method of attack that prevails. As an 
 average example of this training by Fishermen I killed fish thirty years ago with 
 a No. 4/0 hook body and wings of the most showy materials, whilst on the self- 
 same waters to-day men devote themselves to flies that betray no resemblance to 
 old favourites, either in colour, character, or size. Their patterns now are no 
 larger than natural March-browns, and many of them almost as sombre in appear- 
 ance. But the Trout-fisher often has to depart from the rule touching actual 
 imitation. He often uses, and uses successfully, flies dressed from imagination, as 
 for instance, the 'Governor' and ' Holland's Fancy.' 
 
FACTS AND FANCIES IN FLY FISHING. 261 
 
 " We will direct our attention for a moment towards our favourite ' Coch-a- 
 boncldu.' The 'Marlow Buzz,' as it is termed, is far from being a truthful likeness 
 of the lady-bird, for which it is said to serve as deputy. The question arises, is it 
 the Peacock herl body or the hackle of this Welsh pattern that captivates the 
 fish ? We may leave the body entirely out of the question, and as to the hackle, 
 it no more resembles the legs of a lady-bird than the legs of the cockroach. To 
 say, however, that Trout take the fly for a minnow is just what I find by my 
 experience they do not take it for. On the other hand, sometimes Trout take 
 every precaution, and in one particular respect so do Salmon, and unless the fly 
 for both is extremely well copied- -say, on the VVandle for Trout, and on various 
 rivers spoken of presently for Salmon suspicion is aroused at once, and a general 
 .stampede takes place. This teaching of Nature and training of man applies 
 equally to the size of the fly as regards both Trout and Salmon. On one river 
 say, the Darenth we use a small Iron Blue, because the living insect in Kent is 
 small ; and on another river say, the Usk the pattern is ' put up ' twice as 
 big, because there the living insect is twice as large. But on such a river, say, as 
 the Lochy, the Salmon have learnt to take the most diminutive flies, because 
 the Fishermen have for years been gradually decreasing the size of their 
 artificials. 
 
 " At this point I would ask the reader to turn a ready and confiding ear to 
 what I am about to whisper. Have not our acknowledged unmistakeable fancy 
 flies a far greater attraction at times for all rising Trout than those dressed so 
 delicately and so truthfully as to be the fac-simile of Nature herself? Does not the 
 ' Alexandra,' for example, kill any where and everywhere when our perfectly-dressed 
 Duns, Midges, and Gnats fail ignominiou. c ly ? And has not this notorious pattern 
 of mine occasioned such havoc in places as to be positively prohibited 1 Often 
 and often will Trout take the most fancy pattern ever introduced, whilst in 
 certain seasons (the May-fly season, for instance) they decline to notice our 
 book flies unless they are dressed true to Nature, ft is the very same thing with 
 Salmon. 
 
 "Before entering into details, I would remark (1) That it is not uncommon 
 to kill Trout with all sorts of flies when March-browns and Alders are at their 
 best. With Salmon this is not so, for when their fly is in season they never deign 
 to notice anything else. (2) That all rising Trout are what all Salmon are not 
 persistently partial to natural flies throughout life. As regards this partiality, it 
 is necessary to remember the respective habits of Trout and of Salmon the one 
 species closely packed, struggling for existence in shallows and stickles ; the other 
 disbanded, in screened lay-byes and deep pools, peacefully blessed with the fulness 
 of satiety, and not amenable to the pangs of hunger. (3) That all the young of 
 Salmon show a decided preference for any fly, either natural or artificial. They 
 come more greedily at them than Trout, whether the fly in use is naturally or ever 
 -so fancifully dressed ; and though in after years some come much more kindly to 
 
262 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 Salmon flies than others, there is not one single breed not even that peculiarly 
 stubborn sort bred in the Trent that entirely refuses them. I cannot say so much 
 as this of Trout, for there are some that never take flies at all. 
 
 " Trout of other breeds make flies their special food, but to see the gratifica- 
 tion of a similar propensity amongst Salmon I do not mean samlets we have to 
 travel far and wide. Seen it I have often, though once a year only do these 
 fortunate occasions present themselves. They are chiefly familiar to the eye of the 
 observer, not by reason of a show of myriads of little insects, but of untold numbers 
 of large insects, winged and otherwise, which the average Angler never notices as 
 affecting his interests with regard to the Salmon. Were he fishing in the High- 
 lands he would be quite blind to this fact, even in the presence of the extraordinary 
 so called ' Green Kings," which are remarkable for their effect upon the fish, and 
 for their uncommon appearance and enormous size. 
 
 " I particularly remember the year 1848. It was the year in which my Father 
 first sought consolation under distressing circumstances in a ' Milo Cutty ' and in 
 the ' Alexandra fly,' which I introduced at that time just four years after I had 
 killed my first Salmon. To omit all trivial details as regards this fly, I may say that 
 I used to dangle it before the noses of timid Trout, which one clay fed on flies and 
 another on gudgeon and minnows. Could they not tell the difference ? The very 
 idea must be blotted out of our minds. 
 
 " Anyone determined to see for himself what a fly looks like by inspecting it 
 from the bed of the river (which I have frequently done myself) would soon dis- 
 tinguish, not only the natural ' play ' of the legs and wings, but also the great 
 attractions of the hairy filaments with which the body is covered. Put a fly whose 
 body is made of Peacock's herl into a tumbler of water and you may see much the 
 same sort of thing. It looks no more like a gudgeon or a minnow than a cabbage, 
 if I may so boldly give an opinion. 
 
 " I remember imitating black beetles' legs with single herls fixed to a cork 
 body, which had been varnished black for a particularly sheltered spot on the 
 upper part of the Darenth, and getting the largest Trout with this make-believe. 
 The fish would not look at the ' monster ' before the season for black beetles com- 
 menced, when, of course, they took it for the natural insect, as all Trout-anglers 
 must surely believe. The large fish had no doubt fed on these beetles for years. 
 
 " Can any individual imagine that the firmly-rooted, passionate fondness, 
 which, in infancy, Salmon show for living flies, does not remain liable on some 
 provocation (peculiar to the district) in after life again to spring up as strong as 
 ever ? I venture to submit evidence of this recurrence in a number of cases, not 
 as regards the once-favoured Alders, ]\! arch-browns, Midges, and Gnats, but more 
 in direction of insects which are as showy and as conspicuous to the fish as 'Jock 
 Scott ' itself. Space prohibits me from giving many instances, but it is within the 
 domain of possibility to be mistaken on the river Spey. See the care, see the pre- 
 cision of even the most famous of the local Fishermen in copying the exact colour 
 
FACTS AND FANCIES IN FLY FISHING. 263 
 
 of the Green-king, deadly as any fly on Speyside dressed in such able hands. Could 
 it be possible after fifty years of close research and experiment with all sorts of 
 ways and means of hitting off the features of this extraordinary Highland fly, and 
 making its picture consistently faithful, that a celebrated judge yet remains in 
 utter ignorance of a pursuit from which he annually derives practical benefit 1 In 
 watching him one day, I remarked how very careful he was with his trimmings. 
 
 " ' Ah, sir,' he answered, ' but it pays, and I find they won't have it overdone. 
 Please to look at those long red prongs in the tail of that grub." 
 
 I pointed out that the pattern was a combination of the grub and fly 
 together, and that he had matched the prongs with the red sword feather of the 
 Golden Pheasant. 
 
 " ' But a little of it goes a long way whatiffer,' he replied. 
 
 "And with his Berlin wools would ' Cruiky ' select and mix two or three 
 shades so as to get the exact colour of the body before he would rest and be 
 satisfied. The reader will draw his own conclusions from the constant practice of 
 one who is bent on supplying his employers with the most effectual patterns of the 
 day. 
 
 " Let me next refer to an instance connected with the Grub mentioned in the 
 Badminton Library. Well do I remember the invention and introduction of this 
 favourite apterous pattern on the Usk. At the top of the ' Withe Bed,' two miles 
 above the town of Usk, there was one hold that required a very long cast. The 
 ' Spey ' was the only method by which it could be covered, and often enough in 
 those days the catch was undisturbed. William Acteson, the bailiff, being under 
 orders to inform my family when the water was in ply, we were advised accord- 
 ingly. On arriving, we found the river lower than we expected, and until we 
 came to the spot, had seen no Salmon breaking the water. After my Father had 
 neatly commanded the catch, he said the fish had, for some cause or other, ' struck 
 work.' Then I took my turn, with the result that neither of us got the least 
 recognition. We then left the fish (we had seen it rise) like a parcel, "to be called 
 for later on." I would incidently remark that these fish strikes should be settled 
 by competent arbitration. They do not occur by chance, but each is the result of 
 some definite cause, which, if ever repeated under the same conditions, would pro- 
 duce the same results. It is the interesting business of the Angler to trace the 
 conditions and proceed accordingly. Well, we tried other resorts along the Withe 
 Bed and found them all untenanted. Making for shadier places below, pater- 
 familias, in advance of me, spotted several fish in "Garcoid" rising and sucking 
 in caterpillars falling from overhanging trees. Acteson was sent for the Trout 
 tackle. My Father never liked to go home without sport of some kind, and said, 
 with one of those rapid changes of manner, from grave to gay, which was one of 
 his peculiar charms : 
 
 " Take the field glasses and just tell me what size these fish are." 
 
 "Once on the high ground over the pool, peeping through the trees, I saw, as 
 
264 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 everybody who is anybody on a Salmon river, and several who are not, would have 
 seen, that the fish were not Trout. 
 
 " ' Salmon,' I shouted ; ' seven oE them close to the slab.' 
 
 " A few minutes latsr and I was by my Father's side with two or three of the 
 little green, hairy creatures in my hand. 
 
 " ' Well,' said he, ' we have a chance now ! Whip up a big imitation, and we'll 
 have some of these fine fellows on the bank.' 
 
 " The feather work proceeded, and we discussed the mode of attack (for we 
 could not cast) should we ' bob ' or fish the fly by paying out the line ? Our wing- 
 less lure was soon dressed on a No. 2 hook ; the body of green chenille, veiled in 
 four sections with real Irish-grey hackles, that would have made the mouth of a 
 Manning water, with a silver tag and tail of Ibis. I shall never forget the com- 
 motion in the water which the sight of the Grub caused. Directly it reached its 
 destination all the fish seemed to go for it after the fashion of Chub for cheese. 
 We knew what was up in a moment, and in a comparatively short time five of 
 these unwary Salmon lay lifeless by our side. This sounds well to the uninitiated, 
 perhaps, but no note of admiration is put to make it appear remarkable, for success 
 of this description does not strike me in any way as being remarkable. 
 
 " ' Perhaps our old friend above (I mean the ' parcel ') gorged himself with 
 these caterpillars. If you'll try for him, I'll cross the ford below the ' Whebbs ' 
 and watch how the fish behaves when he sees our imitation of one.' This sugges- 
 tion from me was enough for my Father, and on getting to the spot and settling 
 myself under an old wall I soon observed : ' Let the Grub come further round, you 
 recover the line too soon.' 
 
 " On the second trial the line was allowed to dwell, and the fly worked in 
 sight. But I saw nothing, even by the aid of the binoculars, until I heard the 
 whirr of the winch the dash of the fish being so sudden and so quick. In due 
 course the gaff was used, and the Salmon, fresh-run, was literally chock-full of 
 mashed caterpillars ! Here, then, was the sixth killed in one day with the selfsame 
 hook, dressed after the living things themselves. 
 
 " Though I tried that fly again and again to within the last year or two, I 
 never had another rise to it, or even a pull. And this, in my idea, is because I 
 have never since met with the same conditions. 
 
 " Another example is afforded by the ' Red Underwing ' on the Earn ? This 
 fly is tied after the gaudy Cinnabar moth (Euchelia jacobese), and is a superb killer 
 at the end of the month of September, when the moth itself is seen up ar.il down 
 the river flying about in thousands. I am aware that this fly has been described 
 as representing the Calocula nnpta ; but this is immaterial, as the fish do not stop 
 to classify. Salmon, unlike Trout, spend only a portion of their time in fresh 
 water, during which period they travel from district to district. How, then, can 
 we expect their knowledge of the insects upon which they are accustomed to feed 
 to be so precise as that of Trout, which keep to one place, if not to one spot, from 
 
FACTS AND FANCIES IN FLY FISHING. 265 
 
 year's end to year's end ? Be this, however, as it may, I will relate my first ex- 
 periences with the ' Red Underwing.' 
 
 " I was staying with some friends at the same hotel in Crieff. Overnight we 
 had arranged plans for the next day. Mr. F. M. Mackenzie, whose identity I am 
 at liberty to mention, decided to come with me. After a couple of hours, neither 
 of us being in luck, my companion made oft' in another direction and left me alone 
 for a time. All of a sudden a voice from behind enquired : 
 
 " ' Halloa ! Out of the water. What are you up to ? ' 
 
 " ' I have just completed a couple of flies, one for each of us ; the day ought 
 not to turn out blank with this opportunity. Take a glance in what direction you 
 like ; look at the hundreds of those lovely ' red wings ' flying about, and you'll 
 guess what I am up to,' I answered. 
 
 " ' You don't mean to say,' he replied, ' that you have taken all that trouble 
 for me ! ' 
 
 " I told him that I had often killed fish in trying this principle when other 
 means failed. The ' Dolly Varden,' a pool which had been fished twice down 
 by me and several times by others, was given up to my friend. He was soon en- 
 gaged in a fair up and down fight, and, as the day was drawing to a close, I made 
 for a little catch below, which I knew held one good ' tenant.' To my friend's 
 delight, he weighed in no fewer than three good fish that evening. But this is not 
 all. The duplicate fly was seized directly in the catch below, a struggle ensued, 
 and we were the only two successful Anglers of the day on the whole beat, five 
 miles in length. 
 
 " No one intimately acquainted with the river Lee, and the way in which fly 
 fishing has been ruined by bait fishing, would be likely to accept the remark just 
 made about Salmon waiting to ' classify.' On settling down, the water in this river 
 becomes so bright that with the unaided eye a pin can be easily detected lying at 
 six feet depth. After an interval of many long years I spent three months in the 
 vicinity of Macroom (early in 1889), and was sorry to find how extremely shy and 
 particular the fish had grown. In former days a body of Rabbit's fur, veiled with a 
 grey speckled hackle, and having a light wing was enough to ensure good sport, 
 ifou would never stir a fin now with a body of this description, which changes 
 colour soon after use. The insect that haunts these Irish waters, seen in magical 
 numbers, almost double the size of a bluebottle, but grey in colour, and with 
 speckled body, wings, and legs, is in these days imitated with the finest Irish-grey 
 hackles taken from fowls bred on purpose, and with fur from a silver Monkey, 
 which together produce the very image of the natural fly itself. 
 
 " I could multiply instances in support of the conclusion which has been 
 forced upon me by experience, but it is needless. Winged flies, as well as cater- 
 pillars, can be imitated and used in Salmon fishing with success. Believing this, 
 let alone the other arguments, I cannot insist too emphatically that Salmon take 
 artificial flies from precisely the same motive as Trout ; indeed, by reason of a long 
 
266 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 and varied experience, wherein I have over and over again noticed the movements 
 of Salmon when they patronise natural insects, I hold the foregoing theories not 
 only as being indisputable and indispensable, but also as being of sufficient weight 
 to justify the conclusion that Salmon mistake artificial flies for natural insects 
 rather than for anything else." 
 
 In sport, as in science, it sometimes takes a lifetime's devotion to 
 master even the rudiments of a single branch. The expert in Salmon- 
 fishing, should be as carefully trained as a diplomatist. 
 
 Had it not been for binoculars, which, after fishing for years in 
 ignorance of these matters, I -tool: with me on all occasions, I might 
 never have discovered that the art of Salmon-angling might be placed 
 upon a new and sounder footing. 
 
 It is not intended to imply by these observations that at all times 
 and on all rivers, fly-work is quite so easy as has just been mentioned. 
 Sometimes it is convenient, nay imperative, to resort to the most 
 fantastic specimens of artificial entomology extant. On those occasions 
 we are driven to master fish by force of contrast, and mount flies which 
 have not unwisely been termed " exaggerations." 
 
 And now a few words about these. 
 
 Exaggerations are employed only in extreme cases, when in summer 
 and early autumn, long after a flood, fish take to and remain in one 
 particular haunt for days and days, and, as though having nothing else 
 to do, play " follow-my-leader " round and round their pool of water 
 whether it be beside streams or sheltered flats. 
 
 Some years ago, I ventilated this matter in the columns of a weekly 
 paper, and was flattered to learn that it had obtained the favourable 
 notice of some of the most expert and best instructed Salmon-anglers 
 of the day. I revive it now for one or two reasons. To begin with, on 
 every Salmon river in the United Kingdom there are local Anglers whose 
 dicta in flies are taken and always adopted with little suspicion by those 
 who have seen or heard of their success. On every river, too, as I have 
 before said, certain special schemes of colour, size, &c., are found to 
 prevail to the practical exclusion of others, which, sometimes, would 
 assuredly do better. Yet despite colour schemes, schemes in presenta- 
 tion, accomplished local Anglers, and all common devices, days ccme 
 everywhere when futility prevails. 
 
THE HUMOURS OF SALMON. 2l)7 
 
 To triumph on such days, one must provide a practical novelty that 
 may rouse the " tiresome Salmon " from that too volatile or too inert 
 mood which prevents him paying the least attention to the politest Sir 
 Oracle or his ordinarily quite attractive flies. According to my opinion, a 
 special work of art in respect of flies is, so to speak, an image, not 
 necessarily of any living thing represented, but of the impressions or, 
 shall I say, " phantasy pictures " forced by an independent reality on the 
 mind of the experienced hand. And yet due thought must in all cases 
 be given to the idiosyncrasies of Salmon. These distinguish the fish 
 of one river from the fish of another. What are improperly called " fish 
 humours " commonly but not invariably, depend on light, shade, the 
 nature of surroundings, and so on. A fine Angler gives all these 
 things justifiable weight, and whilst never supposing that all the fish in 
 this river have an exclusive natural love of blue and hatred of red, and 
 that, contrariwise, all the fish in that river are disinclined to blue and 
 enamoured of red, sets himself to devise something really ticklesome for 
 their acceptance rather than follow common practices and submit to 
 barren statements founded on " fish humours." 
 
 These statements violate all rational probabilities, and to embrace 
 them would simply compel us to accept the ridiculous proposition that all 
 the fish which prefer blue go to one river, those affecting red to another 
 river, and so on through the colours of the rainbow. 
 
 The humour of the fish is to recognise that which excites his 
 curiosity, appetite, a singular sort of cupidity, or whatever it may 
 be ; and different combinations and tactics are often required to stir him. 
 
 Writing on the subject of " Exaggerations," Land and Water says : 
 " For sometime past, Mr. George M. Kelson has been explaining the 
 minutifE of this higher branch of fly-fishing in the Press. In his articles, 
 the reader has not only the experience of one who has from boyhood fished 
 in every quarter of the kingdom, but who has also the transmitted 
 knowledge of a Father equally skilled as the son, both in tying the fly and 
 handling the rod. . . . Put into a few words what Mr. Kelson 
 advocates in the case of lazy fish, is to first rouse them by an ' exaggeration.' 
 When a fish is roused into a condition of expectancy, it is as good as half 
 caught ; all that is then wanted is a ' modification ' deftly manipulated. 
 
268 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 The nature of this combination will be determined by the colour of the 
 water, light and shade thrown upon it, natural aspects of the river bed, 
 banks, and other surroundings, as well as by the particular character of 
 flies generally used in the district." 
 
 To this Editorial statement a pressing request for me to treat it 
 fully being appended I recorded several instances of the success of ex- 
 aggerations which had occurred to myself and others, who, commencing as 
 thorough sceptics, had become the most faithful of converts. From these 
 I select first the following case. 
 
 A few years ago I was fishing some private water, immediately above 
 which there were a couple of miles of the best holding-pools on the river. 
 Owing to the long continued drought, the water fell lower than it had been 
 for years. So low did it become that my own pools were worthless 
 for Salmon in fact, in was impossible for the fish to stay in them. 
 Above and below it was rumoured that Anglers were giving up fishing 
 altogether, owing to sheer absence of sport. A party consisting of 
 three rods on the water below, had been fishing all they knew for 
 three whole weeks unsuccessfully, during which time they had special 
 permission to fish the best waters. At the end of their visit they 
 returned to Town. 
 
 Overnight I obtained permission myself to try the same water on the 
 morning of their departure the pools still getting lower and lower. 
 Knowing that a strong " exaggeration " would be required, I was up betimes 
 and tied a few flies dressed in the following manner : Tag : silver twist, 
 but three times the usual amount. Tail : Ibis,- two extended strips of 
 Summer Duck, and the point of a Jungle. Butt : scarlet herl. The first 
 half of the body was divided into two equal sections, butted as before, as 
 well as having two bunches of Goat's beard above and below arching 
 after the fashion of the golden toppings ; the first set, dyed crimsoii- 
 majenta ; the second, or those merging from the middle of the body, dyed 
 light blue and extending over the former to the butt of the fly. The first 
 section of the body was made of yellow silk, ribbed with gold lace and 
 silver tinsel. The second section, of crimson-majenta silk, ribbed in the 
 same way, but with larger materials. The other half of the body had 
 dark blue silk, ribbed with very large gold tinsel, leaving space at the 
 
EXAGGERATIONS IN FLIES. 269 
 
 throat for a couple of turns of crimson-rnajenta Seal's fur, which was well 
 picked out. Throat : Goat's beard dyed dark blue, and spotted Gallina 
 over it dyed likewise, only of a lighter shade. Wings : underwing, two 
 strips of dark brown mottled Turkey with black bars and white tips, 
 partly veiled on each side with strips of Summer Duck, above which came 
 two small tippets (back to back) dyed crimson-majenta, extending only to 
 the middle of the body, enveloping two full sized natural Jungle, projecting 
 over the tail of the fly, and two toppings above all. Sides : Cock-of-the- 
 rock to the lower bar of the tippet, and two bright blue feathers (one on 
 each side) from the back of the Pitta (bertae) from Borneo, covering half 
 of the Cock-of-the-rock. Cheeks : Scarlet Tanager. Horns, blue Macaw, 
 red Macaw, and Amherst Pheasant. Head, a small fiery brown hackle, 
 coiled. 
 
 During the day's fishing, so far as could be seen with the opera-glass, 
 I rose nine fish with one or another of these extravagant flies, with the 
 result that six took hold of the changed flies afterwards and were all 
 brought to bank. 
 
 The changed fly, which took the fish, was in each case a decidedly 
 sombre " modification " of the former fly, i.e., the exaggeration by which 
 I had roused the Salmon's attention. 
 
 When visiting a different part of the world, I was watching a 
 gentleman casting over a heavy fish which had already risen to his fly. 
 It came twice in my presence. The fly which rose it three times was an 
 extraordinary specimen of an " exaggeration," having four Jungles in the 
 wing (two dyed red) and other showy feathers such as Ibis, Chatterer and 
 red Macaw all plentifully distributed. 
 
 On the Fisherman leaving the pool and speaking to me I discovered 
 that we were old friends, and that I had myself made the very fly he had 
 been using. Forgetting how further to proceed, he consulted my opinion. 
 He had already fallen into error. Here, however, was a fish that had 
 risen three times, what was to be done ? 
 
 (I should state that I never before saw, nor have I ever seen since, a 
 Salmon rise three times to an " exaggeration." He must have wanted 
 it badly!) 
 
 With materials provided by my friend I made up on the spot the 
 
270 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 following simple fly which caught the fish the moment it was presented. 
 Tag : Silver twist and yellow silk. Tail ; Toucan : Butt, black herl. 
 Body, dirty-orange Seal's fur ribbed with silver lace. Throat, Grouse 
 hackle. Wings Golden Pheasant tail and a few fibres of fine Peacock's 
 herl mixed together, dressed on a No. 3 hook which was half the size of 
 the exaggeration. (Of this particular nondescript let Annan Anglers take 
 special note.) 
 
 Colonel Kichardson, the gentleman to whom I have just referred, had 
 at the time no belief in my system, but remembering what I had vaguely 
 said some few years previously, tried the experiment out of mere bravado. 
 But he was not satisfied after all, and failure on a subsequent occasion 
 caused him to invite me to meet him. Just at the time I received his 
 letter, I was on the Usk and we discovered that we were fishing within a 
 few miles of each other. Ultimately we determined to try a pool in the 
 Duke of Beaufort's water (Monkswood fishery) running under a well-known 
 beech tree at the head of the " Binding." The river ran dead low and 
 the fish were sailing round and round in the shade. 
 
 Kesuming the usual tactics we put the extravagant fly in sight of the 
 fish. They ceased to roam at once a fact which we easily detected from 
 the wooded bank. In due course the " modification " was presented and 
 the Colonel killed two fish with it, one of 15 Ibs., the other 18 Ibs., in my 
 presence. The " school " itself mustered eight in number. 
 
 I am also permitted to state that Colonel Eichardson has since been 
 practising the method with unusual success, and that at one time he 
 averaged about one fish for every six daily trials. He, however, is of 
 opinion that " the exaggeration practice will never be very popular. First, 
 it requires immense experience in fishing to carry it through, and unless 
 a man is his own fly-tier his chance is very poor. Secondly, and mainly, 
 because the fish are apt to detect the business and it makes them more 
 shy than ever." 
 
 But I look back with the greatest pride and exultation of all to the 
 time when I " landed " my old friend and, on this question, opponent, 
 the late Frank Buckland, for no one more ridiculed the idea of stirring 
 sulky fish when it first became known than the original Editor of Land 
 and Water. He with his friend Mr. Clifford were fishing their private 
 
SULKY SALMON. 271 
 
 Beat at Llangattoc, and although the famous Bryn stream held fish 
 nothing seemed to excite them. Day in, day out passed and nothing 
 could be done. Walking up the river one evening, I found Mr. Clifford 
 seated in his bower-bush, as usual, watching the water with his rod in 
 readiness. As soon as I made my appearance the chaff that I was subjected 
 to by both gentlemen is utterly beyond description in these pages. But 
 next day I tried my scheme in their presence. I begged them to try the 
 reach down beforehand with what flies they liked, merely stipulating that 
 the " catches " were not to be overthrashed. After the stream had been 
 fished from end to end three times, and fished well, too, I, choosing the 
 part that held most fish, made two casts, no more, with an " exaggeration." 
 A swirl in the water told me what to expect. In due course I put on 
 a similar fly to that which Mr. Clifford had been using in vain for 
 days and with it caught two Salmon, one of which had another fish in its 
 mouth. 
 
 Of other friends' successes I desire to notice a triumph Mr. Basil Field 
 achieved on the Tay. The water had been well tried with large local 
 flies of the most gaudy description. On Mr. Field making his appearance 
 he was consulted as to further proceedings. Hearing that a fish had 
 risen he determined to try quite a foreign fly and selected for his 
 modification a " Glow-worm." It was remarked that " he might as well 
 throw his rod in." But the fish took the Grub directly it reached 
 the catch. 
 
 There is really no matter for surprise in this system of rousing sulky 
 fish. The very fact of their " settling down " has puzzled many a thousand 
 Fishermen. The reason most probably is due to the combined lowness 
 and staleness of the water, which condition acts upon the fish much in 
 the same way as the smoky and vitiated atmosphere of a manufacturing 
 town acts upon the hearty constitution of a countryman. His appetite 
 becomes jaded, and he requires the stimulus of some dainty dish to tempt 
 him. It is precisely the same with a Salmon. 
 
 There is generally an exception to every rule, but in Salmon fishing 
 there are more exceptions than our grandfathers would have deemed 
 credible. I have known several instances of fish taking the exaggeration 
 when the dressing is not too much overdone. Take an example. 
 
272 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 I have many a time roused a Salmon with the " Blue-bell " ; but some 
 years since, fishing at Stanley on the Tay, Major Traherne wrote to me: 
 " For the last three days the fish would look at nothing, but I tried a 
 ' Blue-bell ' last night and have had rare fun with it to-day, getting three 
 fish in one pool, the largest 28 Ibs. ' Blue-bell ' is not satisfied with 
 anything under 20 Ibs. I don't think it should be regarded as an 
 ' exaggeration ' any longer." 
 
 ,- Many years ago I visited some noted water on the Test. Doctor 
 Lewin accompanied me purposely to inspect the principle of " exaggera- 
 tions." Upon arriving at the river-side we were escorted by the water- 
 bailiff and a despondent Angler who remarked : " The best advice I can 
 give you is to go home ; there is not the ghost of a chance. No one has 
 risen a fish here for a fortnight. They are there, but the water is 
 low and foul to a degree positively offensive to the olfactory nerves." 
 
 The excellent disciple of ^Esculapius drew a long face. 
 
 " Now is the very time," said I. 
 
 However, on reaching the pool for which I had set out my friend 
 said : " I should like to see you fish the water down with the usual flies 
 before trying any of your pet theories." 
 
 " Certainly," I replied, but after a time, having done no good, I urged 
 that it was " mere waste of time to use such flies." 
 
 " Ah, it's just my luck ! " observed the Doctor. " Give it up and come 
 to Sonning with me, for you might just as well try for a Salmon in 
 the Thames." 
 
 At that moment a voice from behind a hedge exclaimed, " There's a 
 fish about 14 Ibs. in front of you and it has seen every fly in my book this 
 morning." 
 
 But there was nothing for it, I sat down beside the hedge and, after 
 making friends and a little explanation, in an hour^or so had two or three 
 hundred small Chatterer feathers, forming the body, on a 6/0 hook : whilst 
 the wing, composed of Jungle and toppings, was further decorated 
 with double Amherst horns. I splashed the lure (I should not do so 
 now) just once about two yards above the spot indicated and gently 
 drew it away. 
 
 Nothing was seen not a stir. 
 
Plate 6. 
 
 ^ 
 
 THE GORDON. 
 
 CH1LDERS. 
 
 TRAHERNE'S WONDER. 
 
 THE COCKATOO. 
 
 THE SILVER ARDEA 
 
 NANKEEN 
 
EXAGGERATIONS. 273 
 
 " I'm off, good bye and good luck to you," the Doctor said. 
 
 " No, not yet ; come here and do what I ask. Do you see that tall 
 foxglove ? Go out into the field and make your way to it inch by inch 
 without shaking the ground, peep through the foliage and tell me exactly 
 where this fly goes." 
 
 I had mounted a tiny " Blue Boyne " dressed with the more sombre 
 Blue Rock. 
 
 " Shall I tell you from there or come back ? " 
 
 " From there. You needn't shout, and don't move." 
 
 " Oh, I can see it as plainly as possible, and the Salmon, too what 
 a lovely fish ! The fly is three yards in front of him." 
 
 " Capital ; now look out, but don't move a muscle." 
 
 I then made a short but rather sharp snatch of the rod, and a 
 tremendous splash and the winch " busy " told its own tale. Twenty 
 minutes later the weeds causing a slight delay the Doctor on all fours 
 had his chance, but "missed," for truth to tell, he drew the gaff as gently 
 as a German waiter a fork under a tender sardine. But on the second 
 venture, after a dose of eloquence for the " specific complaint," the 
 eminent authority on pulses gaffed the fish through and through, and in 
 one motion flung the lot on the bank some feet from the water. 
 
 "Ah," observed Doctor L "it may be said of flies as of ladies 
 
 and gentlemen ' contrasts make more intimate unions.' But why have 
 I not seen these things before? " 
 
 " Because you look at Salmon-fishing with the trained eye of a 
 medical man, we with the trained eyes of Fishermen." 
 
 Only the other day, having an exceptional opportunity of seeing the 
 movements of a fish under treatment, I reduced to demonstration the 
 effect of one of these overdressed flies in the Wester Elchies wa'ter. My 
 friend J. C. H. I wish I dared tell of our many enjoyable outings 
 together wishing to see the experiment tried, asked me to put an 
 " exaggeration" before a fish in sight. The Salmon darted towards the fly 
 at ouce. So far the plan succeeded, but the current went so slowly that, 
 as I predicted, to catch the fish would be an impossibility ; in fact, fly 
 No. 2 scarcely supporting itself in the water did not reach the place. 
 
 I could fill pages with incidents relating to this the most novel and 
 
 T 
 
274 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 the most difficult of all systems in the use of flies, but pretty well enough 
 has been said on this part of our subject. 
 
 " Exaggeration " in fly dressing proceeds from a true insight into 
 Salmon-angling affairs. It is known under several headings. In one sense 
 " exaggeration " means the largest and most showy feathers shortened 
 in their quills or roots of fibres to fit hooks which some people would set 
 forth as absurdly large for any purpose whatever. In another it means 
 the longest of the less marked feathers to extend far beyond the bend of 
 hooks of the size in use. But the truest definition really is that there 
 must be some excess or repetition of our most gaudy feathers and other 
 materials tied separately upon the hook ; as, for instance, in the case of 
 the " Black Prince " and " Golden Butterfly." 
 
 When we are unable to see the effect these flies have over fish we 
 take it for granted that the work is done. The assumption is sometimes 
 justified by the result which the puny productions bring immediately 
 afterwards. These were called " condensations," but as this utterance of 
 olden times lends itself most inconveniently to misrepresentation, we now 
 call them " modifications." 
 
 The term, however, is often misapplied. To ordinary flies of sombre 
 appearance, or to patterns simply lacking lustre, the word has no legiti- 
 mate bearing at all. To "modify" a wing composed of very showy 
 strips is a practice in fly-dressing which would not trouble the patience 
 of the veriest novice. Only a small portion of each strip is taken for 
 mixing in fibres, by which means the effect is distributed and consequently 
 reduced. 
 
 The excellence of " exaggeration " consists in the quality of startling 
 attractiveness, and is not governed by any known law. One of the most 
 important items to consider in " modifications " is size. It should 
 always be remembered that, in ordinary pools where the bed of the river 
 is rocky, the smallest patterns in reason should be used, and that such 
 decided feathers as Jungle and Summer Duck of the duller shades must 
 be employed with unerring regard to the size of the hook. The smaller 
 the hook the smaller should be the markings. If the weather as well as the 
 water be very bright, a little lustre, by the means of a couple of strands 
 of Bustard, or even of Peacock wing, may be added with advantage. 
 
MODIFICATIONS. 275 
 
 But if the fishing be under trees, on dull days, the fly should be toned 
 down with such feathers as dark mottled Turkey without the white 
 tips. On cold, windy days the size of all "modifications" must be 
 increased. In hot weather, without wind, the bed of the river being 
 fairly level we use large tinsel for ribs and put the coils closer allowing 
 six upon a No. 1 hook. In coloured water we make the whole fly dark in 
 tone and increase the length of hackle. 
 
 Although size is so important, other matters must be observed. 
 Never do we use floss silk to form the whole body of a " modification," 
 but Berlin wool for dull days, Seal's fur for bright, and Pig's wool if the 
 water be exceptionally deep. But in the event of the " exaggeration " 
 that roused the fish having been dressed after the fashion of the 
 " Chatterer" we make the body of the fly, which is to finish the business, 
 with the same kind of feathers taken from the Blue Rock (a darker 
 Chatterer) ; choose very much smaller feathers, and instead of putting 
 them in uninterrupted sequence, arrange them in three small sections, 
 filling up the spaces between, in this case, with floss silk of exactly the 
 same colotir. 
 
 In treating of silver bodies which were made with flat tinsel, we soften 
 the conversion by the adoption of oval or round tinsel, or perhaps by gold 
 beaters skin (Mr. Field's plan) over a white floss silk body. For that 
 purpose the skin is cut in an even strip the thickness of our broadest flat 
 tinsel. 
 
 The art of using these patterns is easy to describe. Carefully get 
 No. 1 fly in front of the catch by paying out line, and in one minute 
 remove it as carefully. Then cast in the ordinary way after five minutes 
 interval with Fly No. 2. 
 
 I feel compelled to state that I have not yet quite worked out to my 
 own satisfaction the systems of "exaggerations." I have only once or 
 twice succeeded in rapids, and never in still pools. Streams and Flats are 
 the only places in which a beginner may expect to find it answer. One 
 thing, however, it is absolutely necessary for the Angler to be stationed 
 in front of the catch, so as to be able to let the " exaggeration " go down 
 straight to the fish. Drawn across the water, these preliminary agents 
 are more frequently productive of harm than good. 
 
 T2 
 
276 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 If after all these particulars the key to some difficulty in the technique 
 of fly-selection be missing, the inquiring mind may yet find satisfaction 
 among the " instances " and " examples " put forward in other chapters. 
 Young Fishermen should, at all events, be sufficiently enlightened in this 
 branch of the subject by now to foresee as, indeed, all reformers do 
 the genuine forms of advantage derived from the study of light, shade, 
 and other natural surroundings. But as I began by saying although 
 "Nature ever indicates the way to her best secrets," I have long since 
 convinced myself that they be the best choosers which, being learned, 
 habitually incline to the traditions of experience, or, being students, 
 resolutely incline to the methods of learning. 
 
THE ROD. 277 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 THE ROD AND SPECIAL EQUIPMENTS. 
 
 (U THE EOD. (-2) LINE. (3) WINCH. 
 
 "TESTIMONY IK like an arroic shot from a long-bow ; the/am of" it depends on the strength 
 
 of thf. haml that ilrami it. ARGUMENT in tike an arrow from a crow-bou; which ha* equal 
 force thotii/h *hot by a child." 
 
 BACON. 
 
 THE ROD. 
 
 WITH striking brevity the above extract sets forth the two methods I 
 wish to adopt in support of my case, together with the peculiar value 
 inherent in each of them. The case itself, occupying the chapter's first 
 half, may be stated as an attempt to turn the cooling stream of reason 
 and fact upon one of the burning questions of the day ; for in the whole 
 range of Salmon-angling topics, there is, perhaps, no one single subject 
 so liable to produce a heated discussion as the simple question, " What 
 style of rod is the best ? " 
 
 These discussions usually derive their warmth from sweeping 
 generalisations that have no more solid basis than individual taste 
 acquired by mere tradition or pure chance. Fifty generations and more 
 have confessed that argument about matters of taste is argument thrown 
 away ; how much greater, then, is the waste of time and energy to argue 
 from taste on what is not really a matter of taste at all, but a matter of 
 fact, in which, moreover, the facts are simple enough for a final, because 
 a thoroughly practical, decision. 
 
278 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 Fishermen not only may but actually do acquire a taste for an 
 inferior style of rod ; that is to say, they accustom themselves to a style 
 of rod built on the lines of those used with supposed infallibility by their 
 ancestors, and their confidence in it has not been shaken even by the 
 periodically frequent fractures of tops, and the yet more frequent loss of 
 favourite flies. They will continue stoutly to affirm the style is best, but 
 fail to make good the affirmation by sound logic, or acceptable facts. 
 
 But it will not do roughly to over-ride prejudices of this description ; 
 for if we put ourselves in the owner's place it is easy to imagine with 
 what outraged feelings the curt contempt of some superior critic for the 
 " sacred heirloom " style of rod would be received. This same heirloom 
 is of good hickory, light in hand, costly, and well finished. Enough line 
 may be got out with it to kill some fish, and the owner is accustomed, nay 
 attached, to it. Though beaten in his efforts to reach distant lay-byes, 
 the sentiment of many years hangs about this companion of his in so 
 many happy scenes and successful days. In the consciousness of all 
 these, its virtues and deeds, is it reasonable to expect him to stand quietly 
 in the shoes of stoic indifference, and while remembering its pleasant 
 associations, to hear his favourite rod abused and damned off-hand ? 
 
 There is much to be said for the inborn respect of the Britisher for 
 antiquity. But in Salmon-fishing ours is an age of reason, and we must 
 be prepared for a quick march towards the absolutely, the ideally best 
 style of rod. In short, sound reasoning on the facts, and not taste, 
 however legitimately and respectably begotten, should be our guiding 
 light. We must fall back on open facts. 
 
 The question is first, "What is the best all-round style of rod?" 
 and then, " What modification or adaptation of this is best in each 
 individual Fisherman's circumstance ? " 
 
 In discussing this question in a preliminary way, I seek not only to 
 take up unassailable ground in giving expression to the convictions born 
 of my own experience, but also, whether I personally am right or wrong 
 as to the style of rod I advocate, to arouse some of the rest-and-be- 
 thankful school to the necessity either for progress towards a better 
 weapon than the old-fashioned one, or for a justification on grounds 
 other and better than those at present commonly held for the continued 
 
THE BEST STYLE OF BOD. 279 
 
 use of the very inadequate, cumbrous implement handed down from 
 the fathers. 
 
 Manufacturers move on, and such vast strides have been made in the 
 last few years in almost every part of the Angler's outfit that it was by 
 no means unreasonable to expect some improvements in our rods. Our 
 expectations have been realised. Very considerable improvements have 
 been made, although -there are rods still in stock that might be called 
 fossil rods and go very well in use with the proverbial fly in amber. 
 
 But putting aside, for practical argument's sake, any predilection to 
 taste and opening our minds to impartial conviction we had better ask, 
 What is the best style of rod for Salmon- fishing ? The obvious answer is 
 that style of rod which is all-round best, which executes best all the 
 several kinds of casting practised by skilled Anglers the style that, on 
 the whole, best meets, most powerfully, easily, and pleasantly, all 
 possible exigencies of place, time, and circumstance. 
 
 Surely this style of rod is equal in trained hands to make the ' ' Overhand," 
 the " Spey," the " Underhand," the " Flip," or even the " Wind" Cast- 
 each as required. This certainly is the beau ideal of a rod for a skilful 
 Angler whose fishing lies in a great variety of water. 
 
 But on the other hand, there is a legion of Fishermen, keen on the 
 sport and fully alive to all improvement, who, naturally enough, contend 
 that the waters they fish do not call for such a variety of skill on their 
 part, and, therefore, such a many-sided action in the rod. They rather 
 look for certain special qualities in the rod, because their practice is 
 limited to one or perhaps two varieties of casts. One may possibly often 
 have to adopt the Spey cast, and fishing only that river, content himself 
 with a local model which carries a lightish line ; whilst another, in an 
 exposed run of catches, has as often to contend against a head-wind and 
 otherwise must use the Wind Cast, which demands a maximum of lifting 
 power in the rod and plenty of butt action, or leave the water unfished. 
 
 Such and similar considerations must modify the ideal rod by giving 
 prominence in its style to the particular needs of each individual case. 
 But this opens no door for the exercise of haphazard taste. If the 
 Fisherman allows that intruder in, he will defeat his search for the best 
 rod. He must determine what modification of the ideally best rod will 
 
280 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 suit him, and educate his taste to that ; then, taste is good, it is founded 
 on reason and fact, and the result in practice must be sound. 
 
 Eods of this calibre are built of well-seasoned materials, and are, how- 
 ever, not merely ideal, but are to-day realities in actual existence and use 
 in several well-known hands. 
 
 In proceeding to adduce facts and to reason from them, I wish to 
 emphasize what I have already implied, that, our aim should be sport, 
 not mere prowess. There is, I think, a material difference between the 
 two. Sport includes comfort and a more or less continuous and pervading 
 sense of direct pleasure elements that are often wanting in the display 
 of mere prowess. In the best style of rod, therefore^ its capability to 
 promote sport should be thought of before all else. 
 
 In determining the absolutely best type of rod, to be deviated from 
 only in the particular feature and to the particular degree ascertained to 
 be needed in each case, we must repeat a first great general principle. It 
 is this : that muscles, rod-butt, middle, top and line right down to the 
 fly itself shall form one instrument " compound organ," so to speak 
 harmonious and unbroken in action, and imbued with ready obedience to 
 the Angler's eye and brain an organ adapted right through for one 
 purpose. Practice, and that alone can give a man the power of so 
 exerting his brain and strength. The rod and line are to be, as it were, 
 part of the man, though distinct from the man, and they are to be in such 
 unity, so well adapted to each other, that, such a rod and line in this or 
 that man's trained hands on his particular water shall give for him better 
 returns than any of the others. 
 
 Now let us see how and why our old acquaintance the " trouty " 
 Salmon rod with its light line has been of late years left in the 
 lurch, just as the breech-loader has displaced the old-fashioned muzzle- 
 loader. 
 
 The general requirements of Trout-fly fishing have necessitated that 
 the rod for that branch of spott should be adapted for throwing a com- 
 paratively light line and that mainly by action from its top. Here is the 
 fundamental and generic difference between your true Trout rod and your 
 true Salmon rod. For the latter, to achieve its specific purposes, should 
 be worked with a line that is out of proportion heavier than the Trout line, 
 
GREENHEART FOR RODS. 
 
 281 
 
 The accompanying illustration of a corner in the extensive premises 
 at the Standard Works, Eedditch, will give the reader an idea of the care 
 
 
 GKEENHEAHT LOGS. 
 
 taken by Messrs. Allcock it- Co. in securing and seasoning, for loholesale 
 use, the logs of Greenheart in this department alone. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 and it must develop its wave of casting-force less from the rod-top than 
 from the butt. The two actions are totally different, therefore the rods 
 and the lines most suitable are different. 
 
 In laying down this doctrine I refer for support of it to the records 
 existing in the public prints of recent casting tournaments, a testimony 
 open to all and of irrefragable character. In the " Overhand " method of 
 casting, in which mode alone the " trouty-rod " is of any use at all, the 
 slight top and the stiff butt have caused it to be hopelessly left behind. 
 And apart from these competitions, this style of rod has been conclusively 
 proved to be wrong in every-day angling experience. 
 
 As to the " Overhand " cast, beloved by all, and well suited as it is 
 for places with plenty of room in the rear of the Angler, it is supposed by 
 many to be the easiest cast of all with plenty of wood in the butt. This 
 is also a misconception which may be often traced to the misleading influence 
 of the earlier acquired habits of Trout fishing. It is not that the Fisherman 
 is unable to make the cast, but is unable to make it perfectly ; and, as I 
 have said, this rod is almost, if not quite, useless in other modes of casting 
 and especially so on all occasions when length of line is required in windy 
 weather. 
 
 As an instance here 1 will quote words which I wrote some years 
 ago : " Too much importance is usually attributed to the Overhand 
 cast and consequently some of the most favourable pools are passed by 
 because the Angler is inexperienced with other casts. Take for example, 
 a pool where you wade, with three ' catches ' in it. No. 1 would be an 
 easy station but for a high tree immediately behind you. Here the 
 ' Switch ' would be necessary. No. 2, some yards further on with a 
 large bough overhanging the water low down, and no stream to carry the 
 fly beneath it owing to an eddy beyond the bough, would demand the use 
 of the Flip Cast : and No. 3, which you reach after turning a sharp 
 corner, has the wind in your face, and this brings the Wind Cast into 
 operation. In these situations, the old fashioned, stiff-butted rod with a 
 fine top, noted for throwing a light line from the point, would be as useless 
 as it would be for holding a fish from rocks, dead trees, weirs and similar 
 dangers. . . . Where Salmon can be captured without the display of 
 skill or much perseverance, and without having to resort to the ' Spey,' 
 
THE EOD. 283 
 
 the ' Wind ' or the Flip Cast, any ordinary rod might be used, and with 
 a certain amount of success. These places are few and often far between 
 and are as often bordering upon many ' awful places,' in which the 
 veteran will present his fly as if by magic. To do so he must be well 
 appointed. A rod for general purposes may be ever so perfect, and yet 
 prove almost useless with a line either too light or too heavy. The action 
 of it is made manifest by comparison with a Trout rod. In direct contrast, 
 it will propel a heavy line from the butt without perceptible effort of the 
 Angler. " 
 
 The reasonableness of what is now being urged with, I fear, too much 
 repetition, is clear. To be able to cast far, to cast against wind successfully, 
 to " Switch " or " Flip " properly in short, to be able to hold your own 
 in Salmon fishing, you must not use a line too light, but one that demands 
 plenty of lifting power in a rod having plenty of stuff in the upper part 
 even to top-heaviness. 
 
 To objectors it may be also replied that a light line is no desideratum 
 in fly fishing for Salmon. On the contrary, it is well to fish fairly deep ; 
 and, moreover, line and gut trace should taper as explained elsewhere. 
 To the more plausible objection as to increased weight in rod and line, 
 this must be emphatically said : First, that owing to modern improve- 
 ments, especially in all fittings, rods are made much lighter in proportion 
 to length and strength than they used to be ; but, apart from that (and 
 here the emphasis lies) the great question is not so much whether a rod is 
 actually heavy or not, but whether or not it fishes heavy. When once its 
 proper use and available powers have been acquired by a few days' 
 training, the modern rod, of the style described, fishes infinitely lighter 
 than the old style. " The rod casts of itself " is an opinion often declared 
 of it. The question is one for the muscles, What is it that tires ? Not 
 weight absolutely, for it is manifestly true that, even with two old- 
 fashioned " Trouty " rods, the heavier, if the better in balance, is far 
 less tiring than the one of lighter weight reckoned by Ibs. and ounces. 
 
 We should not be misled by the adjective " light," as applied to rod 
 or to line. The term must be regarded as relative ; and determined 
 practically in meaning not merely by weights and scales, but also and 
 chiefly by the final verdict of nerves and muscles. Weariness comes far 
 
284 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 sooner from the active exertion of doing all the work oneself with a light 
 rod, than from the semi-passive labour of carrying and controlling a 
 heavier rod that does for the Angler most, if not all the work within certain 
 limits. This principle is of intensified application where the more special 
 modes of casting are involved. In a moderately strong head wind the old- 
 fashioned rod must give up altogether and look enviously on its modern 
 rival rejoicing " in the battle and the breeze." In short, it may fearlessly 
 be affirmed that, under any conditions of wind and weather the man who 
 has once found himself able to cast his fly upon the desired spot with the 
 scrupulous accuracy and reasonable delicacy and lightness, easily acquired 
 with the modified Castle Connell rod I advocate," will never again 
 return to the old combination of tackle. Nor will he regard as draw- 
 backs or defects the superior strength added in the new type of rod, 
 which secures the virtually sky-high immunity from banks, bushes and 
 other traps behind him. 
 
 This particular modified Castle Connell is perfectly made in green- 
 heart, and is called the " Kelson Bod." I do not know of any defects to 
 set off against its merits. Its merits are power of steady endurance in 
 holding a big fish in a strong stream ; power of lifting and propelling a 
 long line by every method of casting in any kind of weather or place in 
 which one fishes ; and what is even more useful where the " Spey " is 
 imperative power of making the thrashdown by throwing, when, in 
 awkward winds, casting is impracticable. (Spey rods cannot do that.) 
 By its action alone one is capable of commanding with this rod thirty 
 yards of water ; and, when necessary, it can be made to command 
 without much force over forty by employing the " Overhand " and of 
 course much more by the " Governor." 
 
 The superb rod on the Shannon, known as the Castle Connell, is the 
 parent of this rod, which, after a long and varied experience in rod using and 
 rod making, I have found the most pleasantly powerful and generally 
 serviceable. In all-round competition, and this includes the .making of 
 all the known casts, except the " Overhand," the Irish rod is indisputably 
 the most successful of all the ordinary types. 
 
 The distinguishing improvements in our rod have been introduced 
 with the intention of curing as far as possible any tendency to repeat the 
 
THE " KELSON " ROD. 285 
 
 faults in character of the original. They are said to be instantly 
 recognised by the Angler who adopts only the " Overhand." 
 
 That the failures of certain Anglers to secure with the Shannon rod 
 all they want argues nothing against its several virtues, but only 
 emphasises the need and the inducement that struck me for making an 
 effort towards the prospective amelioration of their lot. The " Kelson " 
 rod was not introduced into use hurriedly, for in doing my utmost to 
 discover what kind of rod would best execute all the casts with the 
 minimum of exertion and the maximum results, I made various ex- 
 periments with many other types differing in circumference as much as 
 1716th of an inch. In those experiments lines of different degrees of 
 weight were used. The outcome is that the ordinary Castle Council 
 famed chiefly for Side casting, Spey casting, and for holding heavy fish 
 without fear has been modified in a marked degree by being built some- 
 what stouter in the butt on such a scale as to considerably improve the 
 action for all-round fishing with ease and comfort. The holding qualities 
 are not perceptibly interfered with. The taper, be it noted, falls off not 
 nearly so rapidly as in the old Trouty rod, and only slightly quicker than 
 in the parent. 
 
 Any further stiffness in the butt, produced by a yet increased 
 allowance of material than that given in the modification would defeat the 
 whole object in view. On the whole, the Shannon rods may be summed 
 up in the familiar formula of "As you were," for they always fulfil the 
 expectations of their most sanguine supporters. 
 
 As to particular deviations from what I judge to be the best all-round 
 rod, I may instance, as instructive, the " Traherne " pattern. This 
 particular style of rod is decidedly stouter in the butt, and is more widely 
 known at present than my own. The " Traherne," in the hands of 
 Major Traherne, calls for no praise whatever here. It is sufficiently 
 recommended in the Badminton Library, which tells us that the author 
 of the Habits of the Salmon himself made an Overhand cast with it of no 
 less than 45 yards 1 inch. But were I asked to pronounce an opinion on 
 its merits, all the praise the rod would get from me would be conveyed 
 in a very few words, viz. That all Anglers who invariably adopt the 
 "Overhand" should not be without it, for the simple reason that on 
 
286 
 
 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 stormy days, when they usually have to knock under, this rod enables 
 them to continue fishing in their ordinary way. It is, in short, just the 
 very opposite of a Spey rod, which in windy weather is useless. 
 
 It has just been said that my own rod is found the most pleasantly 
 powerful and generally serviceable. Lest there should be suspicions 
 arising of a possibly mischievous severity upon the fish's mouth due to 
 the increase of material in the modification, it may safely be promised 
 that there is no ground whatever for fear. A crucial instance may be 
 adduced here in support of this statement, apart from what is urged 
 elsewhere on striking and playing fish. It occurred early in the ex- 
 perience of a friend when using a rod selected for him by myself. This 
 is his account of its conduct in his hands, with one of my own lines lent 
 upon the occasion : 
 
 " At first I was quite disappointed in the rod, and though you 
 described to me intelligently enough how to use it, especially in casting 
 ' Overhand,' it was not until the third day call me duffer, if you will- 
 that it ceased to be tiring and I began to acquire the knack of it. Now I 
 would never wish to go back to the old style. I really think I should lose 
 all pleasure in fishing if I did. The sense of power and of scope for skill 
 are vastly greater with your pattern. I astonished myself when I came 
 back to the old Spey cast, and popped out a good line in gusty weather. 
 The latest triumph, however, was this. Certain friends here who use 
 light rods and lines have looked rather askance at the rod's action, and 
 suggested that it would be sure to tear fishes' mouths badly. If yours did 
 so, what about Major Traherne's ? But facts, happily, are surprising 
 things, sometimes the right way, too. What mouth among the Salmonidce 
 is tenderer than a Grilse's an hour or two fresh from the open sea ? It is 
 like a grayling's almost. Well, on the 15th August I hooked and ran 
 within 200 yards of the open North Sea thirteen Grilse, and saved eleven 
 of them without assistance. I struck them off your pattern reel from 
 Farlow's. It seems to me that even without other experience this pro- 
 portion of eleven out of thirteen played should for ever put an end to any 
 charge of severity against your system of red and line. . . No more 
 broken tops this season either. Bravo modified C. C." 
 
 The saving of " tops " referred to a little hint previously given not 
 
PROPER AND IMPROPER ROD MATERIALS. 287 
 
 to hold the rod too upright in playing either Salmon or Grilse. Passing 
 now to other particulars, and first to materials, I do not care to mention 
 more than four Greenheart, Cane, Blue Mahoe, and Washaba. 
 
 Mixtures " Composites," as they are called, of which the worst is 
 a combination of ash and cane are not to be commended, except in Spey 
 rods. Cane is very quick in return ; ash very slow, and not powerful in 
 action. 
 
 Experiments extending over a long period have satisfied me that 
 honours are divided between the cane rod I possess and those of my pattern 
 in Greenheart. Everyone knows, however, that it is no easy matter for 
 a maker to bring out the desired action in cane. The surface will bear no 
 planing, so when the pieces are glued together the joints themselves cannot 
 be reduced or interfered with. Mine never required it, for Hardy soon 
 succeeded in securing all the harmonies of action, balance, and good 
 workmanship. The action for my work that is to say, the action 
 wanted for successfully making any of the known casts is exactly as it 
 should be ; I do not wish for any alteration. Good action in cane means 
 nothing less than durability, and no better proof can be given of this than 
 the fact of my having taken with the rod considerably over one thousand 
 Salmon, kelts included. Perhaps I need hardly remark that it is without 
 the steel centre. A real " Kelson " in cane will not break, and though 
 costly, cannot be said to be dear. To begin with, it is infinitely the best 
 kind of rod for the Wind cast ; and in casting Overhand, the Angler is 
 less fatigued than with any of the others. These advantages arise from 
 the fact that he has not to dwell so long in the motion a feature of no 
 inconsiderable moment as old age creeps on one, or even as regards one's 
 comfort and pleasure during the first few days of fishing before the 
 muscles get fit for work. 
 
 My favourite greenheart if, indeed, any one of them is better than 
 another is a Farlow, more than thirty years of age and looking as young 
 as ever. On this subject it is difficult to write of this firm in words of 
 becoming praise, and without giving the impression of some conscious 
 exaggeration of language and sentiment in one's endeavour to do justice 
 all round. It is, however, the literal truth that the correct action in 
 greenheart may be implicitly relied upon by the purchaser. For when 
 
288 THE SALMON FLV. 
 
 these rods are first put together the surface can be worked do\vu until 
 the desired balance is secured ; and in this important detail the maker 
 has never failed to give me satisfaction. What is equally pleasant to 
 record and equally appreciated by his customers, one and all, is his 
 punctuality in executing orders within the time of promised delivery. 
 
 Apart from all other advantages of this style of rod, be it of cane or 
 greenheart, the usual weakness caused by the continual use of any one 
 cast may be quickly counteracted by the adoption of another cast. The 
 " Spey," for instance, produces an upward bend, and this defect is soon 
 rectified in working by the " Overhand." 
 
 Blue Mahoe is here and there the acknowledged .king. But sound 
 as his title is said to be, his crown would be much firmer if he had not 
 an ugly trick of unaccountably and unexpectedly " striking work " on 
 very little provocation. In spite of all care in the selection of matured, 
 straight-grained wood from butt to point, the upper joints will sometimes 
 snap asunder like glass. I had one of Ogden's in use for a few years, and 
 prized it immensely. It had shown no signs of wear and tear until one 
 fine day a young friend, casting only a short distance with it, broke the 
 top joint clean in two by lifting the line before it was thoroughly ex- 
 tended. Any rod is liable to fracture under this condition of treatment, 
 though as yet I have never seen cane surprise anyone by such sudden 
 misbehaviour. Blue Mahoe is nevertheless a remarkably light, if not the 
 lightest of all rod woods, and in skilled hands fully justifies the claim 
 Ogden makes for it. 
 
 Washaba differs in this respect, for it is the heaviest of rod woods. 
 Washaba rods are very " steely," and never seem to wear out. I have 
 seen one at Usk as old as the hills and as straight as an arrow despite 
 the severe trials it has looked full in the face. 
 
 There are many other rods besides those to which reference has been 
 made. Manufacturers in Ireland and Scotland finish their work well, 
 and find plenty of local support for their wares. As a rule, these are 
 built purposely for the Overhand cast only. 
 
 The rod liked on one river is detested on another. The Spey rod, 
 for instance, in the hands of a purely local performer on the Tweed 
 would meet .with the utmost condemnation ; whilst a Castle Connell 
 
THE WEIGHTS OF BODS. 289 
 
 pattern for the " Overhand" would be equally disliked by any of Forrest's 
 customers at Kelso, or Malloch's at Perth. 
 
 In making his purchase the Angler must determine for himself the 
 sort of rod required to meet and suit his own purpose or purposes ; and 
 here one difficulty arises over which no living mortal has control. It is 
 this. There is no occupation of ours in which a man has greater need to 
 have his wits about him than that which has for its object the choice of a 
 rod. Even expert Fishermen are frequently mistaken on these occasions. 
 I have, however, endeavoured to cope with the difficulty by giving those 
 who wish for the modified Castle Connell the information required for its 
 purchase. 
 
 (In use the ferruled greenheart is tied at the joints with purse silk 
 Pearsall's " Typhast." The joints of the spliced greenheart are often 
 glued together and bound with fine hemp. In binding mine, I varnish 
 the hemp, say, two yards at a time, before I proceed ; and give the splice 
 so made a final coat when dry. But Farlow has recently introduced a 
 band for the purpose. Each lap adheres to the wood, and, in finishing 
 off, the upper lap rigidly sticks to the one placed beneath it, and remains 
 so. By the employment of this band the rod can be "put up" in three 
 minutes, and keep firm for the whole season. It is the neatest form 
 of " whipping " as yet introduced.) 
 
 The cane, rod being furnished with lock-fast joints is simply put 
 together when the stoppers are removed. How lock-fasts would behave 
 on greenheart I do not know, but I find them convenient and deserving 
 of much praise on cane. 
 
 With regard to weights, the 4| aluminium winch holding 150 
 
 yards of line weighs 18i ounces. 
 
 Length. Weight. 
 
 Ferruled greenheart - 17 ft. 4 inch. 2 Ibs. 11 ozs. 
 
 Spliced greenheart- - 17 ft. 4 inch. 2 Ibs. 10 ozs. 
 
 and a little less when the new band is used instead of the hemp. 
 
 Built cane - 17 ft. 8 inch. 2 Ibs. 11 ozs. 
 
 As regards length of rod, the build of the Fishermen, the breadth of 
 the river, and the average size of the fish are items to be taken into 
 account ; yet it is very easy to so exaggerate these conditions as to err in 
 
 u 
 
290 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 favour of prejudices, either for undue length or undue shortness. For 
 myself, I am inclined to think tha, for general purposes, having in view, 
 on the one hand, the length of line, it is possible to cast by any of the 
 methods with advantage, and on the other, the time occupied in killing 
 a fish, that 17 feet 4 inches in greenheart, and 17 feet 8 inches in built 
 cane is the most serviceable length for Salmon in river fishing. For 
 lake fishing for Salmon a much shorter rod is an indispensable condition. 
 The bottom joint should carry three rings, the lower one being 2 feet 
 from the upper end of the winch fitting. The old-fashioned drop-ring 
 should be discarded for the upright revolving ring, having phosphor- 
 bronze centres, with brass wire to prevent rust. . Perhaps for this 
 improvement a small extra expense is incurred at first, but the 
 diminished wear of the line a perfectly natural consequence assuredly 
 makes revolving rings the cheaper article in the long run. The chief 
 object of the Angler in this connection is to secure a free run through the 
 rings so as to be able to " shoot " a good length of line. By shooting 
 line (fully described elsewhere) is meant the useful practice of holding 
 lightly between the thumb and forefinger of the upper hand, several coils 
 of the line either drawn in from the water, or direct from the winch, 
 and letting them go free to be taken out by the momentum given 
 to the cast in the thrashdown. 
 
 On the question of ferrules, little need be said. 
 
 Serrated ferrules, graduating as they do the strain that arises at the 
 junction of the pliant wood and rigid ferrule joint, have been highly 
 spoken of and strongly recommended. Good sheet brass, hammered 
 until it becomes almost as hard as steel, is the best material, and, in my 
 judgment, no ferrules equal those made on steel triblets, but they should 
 only slightly taper and have bell-mouths. 
 
 The chief point for the Angler's consideration is that, as ferrules 
 wear loose with lapse of time, the rod is apt to meet with serious 
 injury if used in that condition. To detect loose ferrules put the rod 
 together and test each joint in the following way : The rod is " played " 
 by one hand, whilst the forefinger and thumb of the other hand hold it 
 at the union of wood and ferrule. In this way any shakiness is easily 
 detected. Put on with Le Page's glue, they seldom require attention. 
 
THE LINE. 291 
 
 Under bad usuage a rod may become either racked or strained. 
 "Backing " means disablement for the part affected. A "rack " is a kind of 
 strain concentrated in one spot and is so bad an injury in itself that it 
 can best be defined as " incipient fracture." 
 
 A "strain," distinguished from a "rack," is rather a warp inducing a 
 temporary curve in one direction. 
 
 " Backing " comes from lifting a line too suddenly ; from making the 
 thrashdown too soon, or too late ; from catching the hook in boughs, &c., 
 in the rear of the Angler ; or from using a line too light in weight. 
 
 " Straining" results from continually fishing upon one side of the water ; 
 from standing the rod against a wall in a damp place ; from working 
 with loose ferrules and sometimes from using a line too heavy for the 
 rod. The defect is one that can be cured by a skilled rodrnaker ; but 
 racking is incurable. 
 
 PAKT SECOND CHAPTER VI. 
 
 " He only tee* mdl mJn .*e.t the whole in the parts, and the parti in the whole." 
 
 LAVATEB. 
 
 THE LINE. 
 
 MANY and various instances in mercantile and industrial enterprise 
 give rise to the current belief that, real progress does not depend so much 
 on the perfect knowledge of the abstract sciences, as on the extent and 
 perfection of those simple arts which minister to the daily wants and 
 comforts of life. However this may be in the ordinary course of things, 
 we are perhaps not concerned at the present moment to inquire ; but no 
 doubt whatever exists in angling minds that the progress of a Salmon- 
 fisherman does not depend so much on the perfection of fly-work, as on 
 the way the fly is put before the fish. That being so, it may not be 
 altogether out of place here, first, to draw attention to a certain art in 
 fishing the fly, the achievement of which considerably depends on the 
 make and quality of the line in use. 
 
 Who, for instance, ever heard of the scheme, or even recognised the 
 necessity for mending a cast five and twenty years ago ? 
 
 TT 
 
 U /o 
 
292 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 Now this is just one of those important measures that may come to 
 us in actual fishing by mere chance. Accident, say perhaps a stumble in 
 wading, might cause one's .well-balanced rod and properly weighted line 
 to do something or other, which does not fail to be noticed, and then, 
 feeling an immediate tug of a fish, one makes a special note of the un- 
 expected effect so produced. 
 
 In point of fact this is exactly how the " mending " business 
 originated with me. But the chance for discovering any such new 
 method of treatment as this seldom occurs now as the opportunity hardly 
 ever comes. Comparatively unwary, vigilantly on the watch, fish used 
 to follow the fly bustling across the river anyhow, and leave it alone until 
 the water, not the Fisherman, compelled the lure to, sooner or later, 
 assume that natural position, which, in these days, is absolutely required 
 from start to finish. 
 
 Eagerness on the part of the fish in that direction is the exception at 
 the present time, not the rule, so in the matter of presentation has fishing 
 long since undergone a fundamental change. 
 
 The object of this practice in presenting the fly, clearly, is to incite 
 immediate action on the part of the fish rather than encourage indolent 
 inspection. It happens to be a delightfully simple performance, if the 
 Angler is provided with a line so constituted as to instantly respond to 
 the turn of the wrist. We do not propel the fly, as of yore, and leave it 
 to fate and fortune ; on the contrary, we take care to promptly counteract 
 the instant effect of water which occasions the line to take a snake like 
 course, by mending the cast ; that is, by lifting the rod with telling effect, 
 and by a simultaneous turn of the wrist, to the right or left as the case 
 may be, switching over the belied portion of the line (caused by the lift ing) 
 by which means the fly is compelled to fish straight throughout the area of 
 the cast made. 
 
 This latest art-achievement in fishing it is new to many may 
 strike the inexperienced as being an extremely insignificant matter, but 
 in reality, it is the essence of " presentation " and on most rivers the. very 
 foundation of success. 
 
 No ; fish do not follow the fly as they did " when the novice hooked 
 them at the first bungling throw" not one in fifty. Those halcyon 
 
QUALITIES OF THE LINE. 293 
 
 days the true time when it was " never too late to mend" have gone like 
 the May pole and the dancing on the village green. Long since that 
 innocent era Salmon have been taught to better use their eyes and other 
 organs. Their constantly declining to follow flies across the water, as they 
 did, is a fact that has forced itself upon our recognition ; and driven us to 
 prepare for this and other propensities which originate in that " thinking 
 apparatus " of theirs. 
 
 The question therefore arises: Can we properly "mend" our cast 
 with the line of the period ? No, but out of this evil, good has come, for 
 our amicable conflict with these difficulties has obliged us to consider the 
 matter of lines in all their varied uses and relations, and our investigations 
 have turned out fruitful in precious results. We were not long in finding 
 out that a line should be possessed of certain qualities, and, that those 
 lines commonly used failed us in respect of pliability as well as in 
 weight unless possessing an outrageous amount of bulk. 
 
 The essential qualities which stamp a good line are four in number 
 Compactness, Suppleness, Evenness, and Durability. 
 
 Our list of demands may appear somewhat formidable, but it is 
 impossible to charge a single item with superfluity. No practical Angler 
 will question the signal merit of a line possessing these valuable 
 characteristics. Strength, though generally regarded as being of material 
 importance, is not included in our list. Personally I have always looked 
 upon this quality with indifference, from the fact that even the thin end 
 of the taper of a line, fit for use, stands a far heavier strain than the gut 
 attached to it. 
 
 In my report, as one of the Judges of the Fisheries Exhibition of 1883 
 (see Field, 27th October, 1883), I made the following observations : 
 
 " In judging, the lines were tied to a steelyard. The highest " pull " was 
 59 Ibs., the lowest 21 Ibs. After many years practical experience, and, having for 
 the sake of experiment made various lines myself, I am convinced that a tightly 
 plaited line is by far the best for fishing purposes. Yet a tight plait under the 
 weight test would pull considerably less than one loosely plaited made of exactly 
 the same quantity and of the same length. . . . There is greater weight 
 
 in it for the same circumference of loose plait I am fortified 
 
 in this opinion by the entire concurrence of the leading manufacturers in the 
 trade." 
 
294 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 Now, weight, brought about by the quality of compactness, is very 
 desirable, but any undue increase of bulk is most detestable. Burdened 
 by loose, over-gorged plaits, culminating in a distended corporation, the 
 line offers too much resistance to the air, splashes too much, is lifeless and 
 ungovernable in the water, necessitates an extra large winch or a dangerous 
 shortening of back-line, and above all requires a stout, unwieldly rod of a 
 kind I would call " an unmitigated enormity," which, for taxing the 
 powers of endurance, robbing anticipation, and dispelling keenness, it 
 would indeed be hard to surpass. 
 
 On the other hand, a line too light in weight, and too small in 
 circumference, is equally bad and sometimes worse. 'In contrary winds, 
 for instance, it is almost useless, whilst in long casting, the rod, suited 
 in every way to fulfil its proper functions', is completely spoilt by the extra 
 force required. 
 
 In proceeding now to deal with the qualities enumerated above, it 
 should be clearly understood that the most essential characteristic in a 
 line is compactness. In plain language, this means the maximum of 
 weight combined with the minimum of bulk, the significance of 
 which only those well acquainted with high-class Salmon-fishing can 
 fully appreciate. Compactness ensures a fairly smooth surface, else the 
 ordinary way of riverside dressing is ineffective from the very first. 
 With this quality as a substratum the line should never become too 
 stiff or too supple. A hard stiff line neither casts well, fishes well, nor 
 wears well. If made stiff by improper dressing when new, the line soon 
 " knuckles," and no sooner are the early defects made good than the com- 
 plaint breaks out in I know not how many places. They shall, however, 
 receive attention presently. 
 
 Suppleness may be carried to an extreme. In some waters in those, 
 for instance, that break and chop about in all directions it is impossible 
 to have any contol over the fly with a line as supple, say, as one that has 
 not been waterproofed. A loosely plaited line very soon becomes too 
 supple for second or even third rate fishing, dress it how you will. A 
 tightly plaited line, unless thoroughly saturated at first with the right 
 material, comes to grief as quickly by knuckling, whilst both the one and 
 the other are apt to get water-logged and then go permanently to the bad. 
 
QUALITIES OF THE LINE. 295 
 
 Such a degree of suppleness is to be sought in a line as not to interfere 
 with the other good qualities. This can be secured and every evil defied 
 provided the line is plaited closely, dressed under a system detailed in this 
 chapter, and properly cared for after use. 
 
 Evenness is an important factor in commanding distant catches. A 
 waterproofed line having a perfectly level surface, of proper size and 
 weight, and a flexibleness combined with a certain amount of stiffness, 
 passes so readily through the rod rings and air that to " shoot " eight or 
 ten yards of it is a profitable achievement soon mastered. At all events 
 the. Angler profits in saving himself from over-fatigue, and his rod from 
 severe treatment. In "mending a cast" an uneven line forms a 
 wavy, cramped curve in the air and spoils the business ; but this irregu- 
 larity is never seen at all with a good line. When evenness prevails the 
 ease with which the line can be lifted, or the cast effectually mended is 
 noticeable at once. Another advantage is derived from this quality, in 
 that the smoother the dressing the longer it lasts. The American 
 machine, working American, ingredients, produces a smooth, bright 
 appearance for a comparatively limited period, no matter how even the 
 line may be. In respect of polishing nothing beats handwork. 
 
 Durability needs no justification and very little explanation. It 
 should not, however, be forgotten that silk lines as a rule do not last long 
 unless made of the best material, dried thoroughly after use and dressed 
 properly when new. 
 
 As for using undressed silk lines, I should never think of such a thing. 
 I am puzzled to find any reasonable and sensible conclusion for the 
 strenuous recognition they receive, though a deeply-rooted mistrust of 
 them in some places is established. But still, lines of this description are 
 recommended by authorities to whose testimony we cannot fail to listen 
 with respect, whether we agree with them or not. According to my 
 experience and conviction the pleasing theory of these amicable mentors 
 has been rebutted scores of times in actual working practice. The broad 
 charge I would record against lines undressed is that they are far too 
 supple and too light in weight ; for even by the aid of upright revolving 
 rod-rings, a serious effort is needed to get them to " shoot " at all. They 
 are moreover liable to get into a confused mess, and, besides being 
 
29G THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 prejudicial to success, owing to their obvious conspicuousness in the water, 
 are far more troublesome to use and to dry. If there is any good in them 
 I cannot detect it. 
 
 Other materials have been tried. Hair lines, and those of silk and 
 hair together, are too rough, too loose in plait and too light in weight. 
 Besides, it is useless to attempt to dress them. 
 
 Plaiting is better than twisting. A plaited line is less liable to kink, 
 takes dressing better, and, what is still more important, is easier controlled 
 in the water. I often meet with twisted lines, but never once have I seen 
 any "tricks of the trade " performed with them at work. The plait may 
 be either round or square. The former results in a more even surface at 
 first, whilst the tiny hollow centre running through their entire length 
 can be filled up by a certain process of dressing a solid continuous core 
 being thus permanently formed. Managed in the old fashioned way with 
 any sort of dressing, this small channel soon holds water and then the 
 silk begins to rot. When this fact became known, lines plaited over a 
 manufactured core were introduced into use, but in our branch of the sport 
 they afford no practical benefit. 
 
 The lines I use myself have often been submitted for trade inspection, 
 and it is gratifying to announce that Mr. Carswell, 90, Mitchell Street, 
 Glasgow, a wholesale maker, has so far succeeded as to be able to supply 
 retail dealers with something that will assuredly find favour and please 
 critical eyes with a line, at all events, that considerably reduces every 
 difficulty in high class presentation. As may be supposed, I have given 
 several of these a good trial and find they differ in a great degree from the 
 ordinary stock in trade. They, moreover, possess exceptional qualities 
 which are at once serviceable for the Salmon-fisherman. They happen to 
 be christened the " Kelson Enamelled." Their salient features are : 
 A fairly tight plait, a smooth surface, more weight for bulk than usual, 
 whilst the quality of evenness and of material cannot be surpassed. They 
 are made in several sizes, the choice of which is necessarily left to the 
 judgment of the purchaser from the fact that rods differ so much in 
 action. The " Kelson " rod best carries a No. 3. 
 
 From this we begin to see the advantage derived from having a 
 standard line in the market fit for a rod so balanced as to admit of the 
 
TAPERED LINES. 297 
 
 various casts being made without the chance of disappointment 
 arising. 
 
 It may be useful to note that these lines can be bought at the 
 tackle shops dressed or undressed, but I shall deal with that matter 
 presently. 
 
 At this point I would mention that, from time to time, I have put 
 both round and square lines under severe critical test and after full con- 
 sideration finally decide in favour of the former. But the latter sort are 
 not without their merits. For instance, they are solid from end to end 
 and so do not require quite the same amount of care in the out-door 
 principle of dressing. On the other hand, the second process in that 
 system, viz., that of polishing when applied to their less regular surface 
 quickly loses its effect, and this will be found to be so until the line has 
 had considerable wear and tear. 
 
 Tapered lines are better for making all casts except the " Flip " and 
 the "Governor," and perhaps the "Spey" with the Spey rod. The 
 tapered ends measure ten feet, six inches, and the whole line itself measures 
 forty-two yards. These measurements were fixed for particular reasons 
 and by no means in a haphazard or arbitrary manner ; the size of 
 the winch, distance and cleanness in casting by all the methods, having 
 been studiously consulted. 
 
 The entire length of my own tackle runs into one hundred and fifty 
 yards. But seeing the whole in the parts is not seeing the parts in the 
 whole. Many would object to using a line so thin at the back end ; but 
 when this part is brought into use, Trout tackle would be equally effective. 
 Seen in the parts " idling " at home, my tackle would not please one in 
 ten, seen in the whole, " busy " at work, every member of the fraternity 
 would " see well," and instinctively feel not only the necessity for the 
 qualities which have been assigned to the casting line, but also the 
 desirability of trimming the winch under the following system, by which 
 arrangement I have saved more than one Salmon in my time. 
 
 The casting line is " married " to about seventy yards of A'o. 3 or E 
 of the " Standard Waterproof Braided silk line " (Allcock & Co.), the 
 remaining portion consists of the same standard article No. 1 or F, which 
 is, one degree less in size. By the same process (marriage) two and a 
 
298 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 quarter yards of plaited gut, tapered, having a small loop for the single 
 trace, is attached in front. In its complete form, as explained, the 
 combination "packs" a 4J inch aluminium winch. 
 
 I have never yet experienced a fish running out the whole of this 
 length ; nor has it ever been my lot to fear the strength of the line from 
 end to end, though it has been well tested on numerous rivers. The 
 whole of the back line should be packed on the winch tightly, not wound 
 loosely in disorder, but firmly, in even close coils, after the fashion of the 
 tinsel upon a silver-bodied fly. Thus packed, all "jamming" in running 
 a fish is entirely obviated. 
 
 Not many years ago I explained my ideas to Farlaw of a contrivance 
 for drying lines, with the result that the "Skeleton Line Drier" was 
 made and patented. Constructed so that the air passes through to every 
 portion of the line, this machine is fixed to a mantle piece by a screw 
 clamp grooved to steady the winch in winding off, as shown in the 
 illustration. 
 
 THE LINE DKIEK OPEN. SHUT. 
 
 One amongst other advantages gained in using this Winder is that 
 all " kinking " is prevented. 
 
 It is quite as needful to dry the line in safe custody after use as to 
 saturate the gut trace before use, and perhaps more so. If left on the 
 winch, even in a damp state, the line soon becomes worthless. 
 
 In the matter of "knuckles" (which invariably come with bad 
 dressing), so far as remedial measures are concerned, the sooner they 
 are doctored the better. But when once these sores break out, the 
 seat of disturbance is of a magnitude that makes the prospect of cure 
 
HEALING A WOUND. 299 
 
 exceedingly remote. The wounds may be healed, but sooner or later will 
 renew their assaults with redoubled energy ; besides, the disease carries 
 perpetual contagion with it. Every day the infection brings fresh 
 trouble. However, for the purpose of a local application, prepare No. 1 
 Dressing mixture (mentioned presently) by heating it in a saucepan or by 
 immersing a jar containing the liquid in boiling water. When rather hot, 
 paint with a camel's hair brush each plague spot, and coax the stuff well 
 into the silk by bending the knuckles to and fro until they present to the 
 eye a white, frothy appearance. Kub off the froth and allow the line to 
 dry. But the best plan is to steep the line in methylated chloroform for 
 a day, and with soap and warm water wash off the whole of the old 
 dressing (which never penetrated the silk at all well) and re-dress it in 
 the manner described hereinafter. 
 
 It has been reserved for the ingenuity of Mr. W. Wells Eidley to 
 bring out for himself and friends the best line, to my thinking, ever 
 wetted in a Salmon river. In every detail can be traced the result of 
 extended experience and exhaustive inquiry. The way they are plaited 
 is simply perfect. Compactness is obtained by using the best silk, freed 
 from all natural gum, and by employing unusually heavy weights on the 
 plaiting machine. The strands are packed as closely as they can be 
 without incurring the risk of a " curl," which is worse than a 
 " kink." 
 
 Mr. Eidley once informed me that his lines contain one-third 
 more silk than any others of the same length and circumference, 
 and that this is entirely due to some special process adopted by 
 him. There certainly is here an art of preparation and a measure 
 of success which I think no manufacturer possesses except Carswell. 
 The very look of them is enough, and they are no less surprising 
 for their appearance than for the facility which they afford in 
 casting and in " presentation." So far as durability is concerned, 
 I have had a line in use since 1878, and in spite of hard wear, it 
 is as sound and, if possible, more serviceable than ever. A small 
 case of these treasures was on view at the Fisheries Exhibition 
 (1883), and attracted general admiration. If only from a feeling of 
 personal obligation, I would add that the Salmon-angling world at large 
 
300 
 
 MR. AV. WELLS-RIDLEY, J.P. 
 
MR. \v. WELLS-RIDLEY'S LINES. HOI 
 
 is deeply indebted to Mr. Ridley for proving that the ideal line is a 
 practical possibility, and for giving me sufficient information to enable me 
 to get it on the market. 
 
 I have only a few more observations to offer to students before we 
 consider the question of dressing lines. 
 
 Salmon lines are imperilled and injured by many causes ; now by 
 Spey casting in close quarters, where it is impossible to keep the line 
 from skirting rocks and other traps in the way ; now by the wrong 
 dressing; again, perhaps, by not polishing when necessary, and 
 frequently by being left wet on the winch. 
 
 I use the word " perhaps," as line-dressing is a subject I hold an 
 open mind upon. It all depends upon what a man wants and how much 
 time he has to get it. If he wants an ideal dressing it is to be had, but 
 not in a hurry. The time is not far distant when everybody will learn to 
 waterproof lines with a lasting preparation that improves them from the 
 very first, one that will permeate the whole texture and provide a smooth, 
 elastic, and protecting surface that will not deteriorate. Only after years 
 of attention and personal experiment did I hit on certain reliable methods 
 and ingredients which I employ when fishing. The evidence of others, 
 however, had been carefully considered, and their various materials tried 
 and exhaustively tested. 
 
 The plan I recommend for river-side dressing has a first and a second 
 process. In the preliminary work the oil penetrates round lines, makes 
 them somewhat solid and, with subsequent care, permanently waterproof. 
 The final touches result in such a smooth surface with a new " Ridley," 
 or an old ordinary, that no sign of roughness can be seen or felt. An 
 equally happy result can be relied on with the " Kelson Enamelled " line. 
 This fact of itself goes to prove the similarity between the " Ridley " and 
 the "Enamelled." 
 
 As Mr. Ridley's lines are distributed throughout the country 
 (gratuitously, let me add), the best method of dressing them and my 
 own, when wanted in a hurry, is as follows : 
 
 Soak the new line for forty-eight hours in the " Dressing for Fishing 
 Lines," sold at Apothecaries' Hall, Blackfriars, London. Then tie it up 
 at each end out of doors, full length, and allow it to remain untouched 
 
302 
 
 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 for about sixteen fine, warm days or at all events, until the " dress" is 
 set and sticky. 
 
 In fixing the line, do not wipe off much of the material. The plan 
 is to marry on spare string at each end to tie with, and so prevent a 
 certain waste of taper. Kunning and back lines are married to each 
 other by first fraying out nearly half an inch of the two ends with the 
 point of the stiletto. After the strands- are thus well separated, divide 
 the part frayed out into three portions, so as to form three " legs." 
 These portions are twisted to a point, see Fig. 1 and 2. 
 
 FIG. 1. 
 
 FIG. 2. 
 
 FIG. 3. 
 
 SPLICING LINES. 
 
 They are then interlaced. The forks are fitted together until the 
 original thicknesses meet at A A. The six legs are spread out so as to 
 surround the line, see Fig 3. Then, with double tying-silk (waxed), 
 the whole splice is bound down in the ordinary way with close coils, 
 tapped with the back of an ivory-handled knife on a table, and then 
 varnished. 
 
 On taking down the line for use, be careful with the married 
 points, as they will marry again and again in making up the running 
 tackle. 
 
 The best season for this dressing is in summer. 
 
 The liquid in which the line is soaked is previously made rather hot. 
 When it sets, take more of the warmed dressing in the fingers, and with 
 them give the line another good coating. It will have already absorbed 
 the previous coat, and present a bare appearance. In a few days from 
 this (locality and weather upset all calculation as to Ihe exact time) the 
 second application will be ready, and the rubbing process begins. 
 
HAND POLISHING. 303 
 
 I rub the dressing when obliged to adopt this method with my 
 fingers, as my hands soon harden in fishing ; but a piece of thick felt 
 answers the purpose equally well. The line must be rubbed backwards 
 and forwards over and over again, day by day, until the dressing is almost 
 hard. 
 
 The first process having thus been completed in its entirety, the 
 second one is at once started. This consists simply in hand polishing. 
 
 Take a piece of linen about six inches square, make it into a pad, and 
 dip it in spirits of wine, squeeze the pad, and on the damp face of it put 
 three drops of old linseed oil (from Apothecaries' Hall) that has thrown 
 off many sediments, and smear them over the pad. Now rub to and fro 
 two yards, little by little, lightly and quickly, imbedding the line in the 
 pad. Continue the rubbing for about three minutes. Dip the pad, as 
 before, into the spirits, and, with three more drops of oil, proceed in the 
 same way, two yards at a time, along the whole length of the line. 
 
 The hand, or the felt, rubbing will have deadened the appearance of 
 the body dressing and made the surface smoother, but after a few days' 
 work with the pad which should be used only once in twenty-four 
 hours streaks of polish will appear visible, and increase daily in number 
 and size. In seven or eight days the line will be finished ; and it is 
 gratifying to know then that, whatever trouble the systejn may have 
 involved, the line can be used after it has remained in the sun for two 
 more days. Do not underestimate this advantage. 
 
 After the line has received its second coat of polish, which it will 
 require in six weeks time, it will maintain a fair face upon it for the whole 
 season. In use the secret is never to allow the polish to get too dull. In 
 order to prevent knuckles the line must be watched and polished when 
 necessary, the necessity being increasingly apparent to the observer as 
 dulness sets in. On the second occasion, the linen pad will effect its 
 purpose in about half the time. When due attention has been paid to this, 
 the body dressing, so far my own experience extends, is never wanted 
 again. 
 
 Ordinary lines necessitate a somewhat different treatment. As a rule 
 their surface cannot be made sufficiently smooth by the first process, so 
 as to effectually secure, at an early date, the best results of process No. 2. 
 
304 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 To attempt to secure this by daubs of dressing is to fly in the face 
 of that enemy best known by the term " dandruff." Too much body 
 dressing is just as harmful as too little. An extra coat for rough lines 
 is, however, advisable, and when quite dry the surface is best worn down 
 by using them. 
 
 In all cases, Anglers will decide for themselves when the surface is 
 ready ; but, after fishing with the line, another thin coat is needed in 
 order to start the polish before the liquid sets hard. We cannot, however, 
 escape from the cold fact that, with all our dipping and rubbing 
 and subsequent care and attention, this treatment involves us in clouds 
 of doubt and apprehension. But let me turn for a, moment to some 
 brighter prospect something else which has escaped most line dressers 
 hitherto. 
 
 What Salmon-fishermen want, and what I understand can now be 
 found in the Alnwick market, is a waterproofing that will, at all events, 
 stand the test of time without cracking and knuckling. We know to our 
 cost that knuckles always constitute a standing menance to all endeavour 
 to reach a high branch of efficiency, and, in consequence, to attain good 
 angling records. 
 
 What the uninitiated line dresser wants is a means by which he can 
 ensure Salmon-anglers the full enjoyment of their privileges, by not 
 allowing those dark clouds to overhang perpetually their paths of progress. 
 If he obtains this, he will, without doubt, find ample support to back him 
 up in his own neighbourhood ; if not ? 
 
 A happy opportunity for welcoming a widely proclaimed creed 
 presents itself. It is a maxim of law that there is no wrong without a, 
 remedy, and unless line dressing is to confess a humiliating inferiority to 
 jurisprudence there must be some curative agency by which the removal, 
 or rather the prevention of all previous drawbacks can be triumphantly 
 overcome. In point of fact, I have long since satisfied myself that the 
 AIR-PUMP is our only guarantee a statement confirmed in the best 
 school of Trout-fishers and verified in Salmon-angling by prolonged and 
 unfailing tests. 
 
 Good and satisfactory as the out-door dressing is in comparison with 
 other make-shifts, a line is not, and never can be, impregnated with nearly 
 
OIL FOB DEESSING A LINE. 305 
 
 as much oil as the air-pump drives into it. The material, be what it may, 
 never enters those numberless interstices in which air settles and remains. 
 As I have pointed out, our security is of a temporary nature, dependent 
 on care taken in polishing and repolishing ; and perhaps not one 
 Fisherman in a hundred is gifted with that imperturbable temperament 
 for the undertaking. 
 
 Seeing, however, that a thoroughly saturated line keeps nearer the 
 surface of the water, it would appear that, to a certain extent, some com- 
 pensation exists for those tiresome knuckles. Air-pumps are, moreover, 
 luxurious articles, expensive to purchase,* and troublesome to take from 
 place to place. But to those who like to take the hint and snap their 
 fingers at all such trifling difficulties, I must say the air-pump is simplicity 
 itself and a luxury indeed. 
 
 A few plain directions for its employment will suffice. 
 
 To begin with, "the dressing for fishing lines " is not suitable in this 
 case. Better it is by far to use the Clarified Oil specially prepared by 
 Naylor Brothers & Quick, 12, James Street, Oxford Street, London. 
 This firm of merchants have devoted ample attention to our wants. By 
 a process of their own they have succeeded in removing all flocculent matter 
 which can always be traced in the finest sample oils. In order to clarify 
 the oil completely and make it stable they keep it in cisterns, on hot water 
 beds until the liquid is ready for our purpose. 
 
 Secondly, the lines can be dried artificially ; this is an advantage in 
 the South, though in the North-east of Scotland they dry in the open air. 
 
 With regard to my more recent experiments with various dressing 
 ingredients under the air-pump, it has been my privilege to consult 
 gentlemen who have had the wisdom to work out the problem by the 
 excellent method of practical common sense. I allude to my friends 
 Mr. Halford and Mr. Hawkesley both well known for their skill in dry-fly 
 fishing and for possessing Trout lines that never knuckle. To these lovers 
 of art and science we are entirely indebted for the pains taken in 
 finding that infinitely more suitable waterproofing for this particular 
 system. 
 
 * Since writing these remarks, Messrs. Baker & Co. have brought out an inexpensive 
 air-pump that answers the purpose admirably (nee engraving). 
 
80B THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 Mr. Halford, in his admirable book 
 on Dry-fly Fishing (Sampson, Low and 
 Marston), directs us to " immerse the 
 line in a flat, vessel containing pure 
 boiled oil,* place the vessel under the 
 receiver of an air-pump ; exhaust until 
 all air-bubbles are drawn to the surface ; 
 do not remove the line until after all 
 THE AIR-PUMP. the air-bubbles have broken and vanished. 
 
 Take the line out of the oil ; draw it through your fingers or a piece of 
 flannel or felt lightly, so as to remove all superfluous oil. Then wind the 
 line on a frame which is about 18 inches long, made of two side-pieces of 
 wood, with two pieces of iron wire across the ends. There are saw-gates 
 cut obliquely on one of the wooden sides of the frame. One end of the 
 line when covered with the first coat of oil is fastened in the saw-gates 
 marked No. 1, and the line wound on. The frame and the line is then 
 placed in an oven,t heated to the temperature of a 150 Fahrenheit and 
 baked for about ten hours. The line is then taken out of the oven, and, 
 when cold, all the irregularities are rubbed off carefully with very fine 
 glass-paper, taking care not to abrade any of the silky fibres. After all 
 irregularities are rubbed off and the line made as equal in size as possible, 
 it is again put into the oil, under the air-pump and the air again exhausted. 
 The line, when all the air-bubbles have broken, is taken out, and again 
 wound on the frame being fastened at the saw-gate No. 2, and so on ; so 
 that the line should have a different point of contact with the iron wire 
 after each coat." 
 
 Mr. Halford tenders further advice, and presents us with a number 
 of reliable details, which are of solid value in the completion of the system 
 for Trout lines. He has, moreover, a happy knack of showering many 
 other blessings on the heads of his followers ; and (to adopt the appropriate 
 expression of Mr. Dagonet) though the book is going like " wild fire," the 
 next generation will have nothing to fear on that account from the simple 
 fact of its being stationary. Mr. Hawkesley being versed in practical 
 
 * The Author meant the Clarified Oil. 
 t A tin box over gas. 
 
THE WINCH. 307 
 
 mechanics, has attained the mastery of this system. He is of the opinion, 
 and wisely so, that to make a Salmon line absolutely solid it should be 
 immersed three times and baked in a temperature of 130, allowing on each 
 occasion a little longer time for drying. 
 
 This is pretty much what I have found in my own experience ; but I 
 rub the line with powdered pumice stone, dry it in the sun, or, better 
 still, on the plate-rack over a kitchen fire, and polish it before use. By 
 this process a line holds double the amount of oil and therefore it takes 
 much longer to dry. 
 
 The air-pump suggested itself to me many years ago while repairing 
 knuckles. In so doing, the froth or air-bubbles that quickly appeared 
 made room for the drop of dressing to disappear as quickly, and this spoke 
 volumes. Although not wanted as a safeguard against knuckles when the 
 air-pump is used, the second process of mine is still beneficial insomuch 
 that it favours those who pride themselves on " shooting " line. 
 
 Eton and Deller, I understand, have brought out a salmon line for 
 Mr. Halford, whose name alone is quite enough to recommend it. 
 
 I have pointed out the little debt to the air-pump which ought to be 
 paid in fact, I may say, liquidated in full by subsequent patience ; and 
 with that condition fulfilled, the machine may have an ideal career for the 
 Fisherman, who, by its aid, should escape that acute unpleasantness of 
 being " under a cloud." 
 
 PAET THIED. CHAPTEE VI. 
 
 " Witul up your watch a* you please, but, in bringing a fish to bank, wind quickly 
 n-hen yon yet the. chance." 
 
 THE WINCH. 
 
 AT a period well within the memory of the middle-aged Fisherman the 
 winch was an ugly, heavy, barrel-shaped article, without any check and 
 having sharp shoulders to the cross-bars, square edges to the plates and 
 a, crank handle attached to the spindle. In dimension it was large enough 
 
308 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 to hold over one hundred yards of silk and hair line of one size through- 
 out a clumsy, cumbrous thing, well in keeping with other primitive 
 appointments of the time. 
 
 How different is the winch of to-day ! The weight has been re- 
 duced by more than one half ; the shape perfected ; sharp shoulders and 
 square edges have disappeared, whilst the old crank handle (always 
 unsightly and liable to work loose) has made way for the revolving disc 
 with the handle attached to it. 
 
 Passing over the period when multiplying winches were in favour, 
 and saying nothing of the difficulty in winding in a fish with them (they 
 were from their complicated mechanism hardly ever in order), we arrive 
 at the time when a decided advance in winch mechanism took place. 
 Over thirty years have elapsed since a prominent London firm engaged a 
 noted workman to devote his time entirely to this special branch of the 
 trade. Other firms followed its lead, and many and varied are the 
 winches to be seen in the fishing tackle houses of to-day, the Moscrop 
 among others, for instance, all displaying vast improvements upon the 
 original invention. 
 
 Some few years later I devoted considerable attention to further 
 practical improvements. I had often observed, especially among average 
 Anglers, that fish were lost either in striking or in the final struggle 
 undsr the gaff. But this was not all, for ths great majority of fish which 
 were landed by good men had their flesh badly torn by the hook. After 
 much thought I came to the conclusion that this flesh tearing must 
 originate in the " striking," and that, therefore, there was something 
 radically wrang with the systsm of holding the line as practised at that 
 period. 
 
 There are Fishermen and Fishermen, but how many are there who 
 would fairly be classed far above mediocrity '? How many with even 
 twenty years' experience can conscientiously tell you that, under the old 
 method of holding the line, they knew exactly what force to use in 
 striking without ever meeting with an accident '? Under the new method 
 as described elsewhere, accidents are almost impossibilities. 
 
 Accordingly, in my experiments, I set to work with screw-driver and 
 pincers, and made the break in some of my winches reasonably stiff and 
 
THE KELSON PATENT LEVER. 309 
 
 in others reasonably loose. In " striking " I gave up holding the line 
 altogether. After a little practice in adjusting the strength of the break 
 to suit particular waters I lost so few fish, and found the flesh so little 
 torn, if torn at all, that now I adopt no other plan. Convincing myself 
 at the time that the general principle was the right one, I commenced to 
 design a winch with an adjustable check constructed so that the power of 
 resistance in striking, as well as in the line running, could be graduated at 
 will. 
 
 Having given up my country residence and come to reside in 
 London, workshop experiment being doomed, I put myself in communi- 
 cation with the firm spoken of above. A lengthy correspondence took 
 place, relating principally to details in the construction of the lever, with 
 the result that a Winch was patented, and to this day is sold at 191, 
 Strand, under the name of THE PATENT LEVER WINCH. The neat and 
 skilful way in which the work has been executed at this establishment is 
 in every way a source of satisfaction to me, and a transport of delight to 
 all my friends. 
 
 THE WINCH (Fig. 1). 
 
 This winch, the special object of which is sufficiently indicated by its 
 title, has sometime since entered upon the first decade of its existence, 
 and one is able to point to highly interesting results attained with it by 
 good, bad and indifferent Fishermen. As soon as it became widely 
 
810 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 known several hundred were sold, and the sale has been steadily 
 increasing ever since. 
 
 The lever, responding instantly to the turn given by the fingers to 
 the external screw, renders the spindle capable of revolving at a 
 high rate of speed to the very last of the packed line. All danger is thus 
 obviated when a fish, having a range of, say, one hundred yards, yet 
 makes a determined run. Upon such occasions we had formerly to use 
 considerable force in pulling the last fifty yards of line from the winch so 
 as to allow the end coils to run at all, whilst it was impossible to wind 
 them back quickly. 
 
 To sum up its other merits the course of instruction necessary to 
 master this winch is easily understood. 
 
 The handle is fitted into a counter-sunk bearing and so the line 
 cannot get beneath it ; nuts are dispensed with, one end of the pillar 
 being screwed into the outer plate, the other drilled to receive the screw. 
 Properly set it never over-runs, and, therefore, cannot become choked. 
 It is easily adapted to different catches ; set lightly for rapids, and 
 sufficiently stiff for sluggish pools. The lever instead of weakening the 
 winch actually keeps the plates and framework so firm that they never 
 become loose or shaky. 
 
 There is really nothing to be said in disparagement of its qualifications 
 or of the system of striking, provided single gut casts are in use and the 
 flies are in sizes under 2/0. 
 
 Fig. 1 represents the winch and the relieving screw which passes 
 through the handle plate. By turning the screw from you the break power is 
 reduced, by turning it backwards the power is increased. Thus, while 
 playing a fish, the winch can in a moment be made to run as easily as the 
 Angler pleases. The head of this screw is flat-sided, resembling half a 
 sixpence, and is easily regulated by the fingers. 
 
 The handle side of the winch consists of three discs the outer, 
 centre, and inner. Of these, the outer and inner revolve with the axis to 
 which they are attached. The centre forms part of the fixed frame and 
 does not revolve. 
 
 Fig. 2 represents the inside face of the handle plate. The 
 break, or fraction lever, is a piece of suitably tempered steel fixed at 
 
THE KELSON PATENT LEVER. 311 
 
 one end by a screw to the handle plate ; through the centre of it a hole 
 is drilled for the axis of the winch. To the other end of the break a 
 screw is attached (see also Fig. 1), which passes through the handle 
 plate. The middle, or broadest part of the break, presses upon a raised 
 "jboss," formed in the middle of the fixed centre disc, and thus retards 
 the rotation of the handle plate and the axis to which it is attached. 
 There is a hole in the outer disc for oiling purposes. 
 
 THE WINCH INSIDE FACE OF HANDLE PLATE. 
 
 The one I use is silent and without the usual rachet or " noisy corn- 
 crake," which, in spite of its poetical associations, is alike useless and 
 injurious. In winding up line, for instance, it rouses fish by " telephoning " 
 to them in a series of maddening jars, and this serves as an inducement to 
 them to drop down rapids and even weirs. Without this rachet, the 
 mechanism is simplicity itself. I have reeled in many and many a fish 
 close to my side in the water without noticing a kick or a struggle, thus 
 saving much time when time is precious. 
 
 The " Kelson Patent Lever " met with farther improvement in 1889. 
 By the substitution of aluminium for hammered brass the weight was 
 considerably reduced. The one I have in use, packed with 150 yards of 
 line, weighs less than twenty ounces ! Time has disproved the old axiom 
 that a heavy winch is wanted to balance a Salmon rod. This, in days 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 gone by, was nothing but a deeply-rooted prejudice. In 1890 I used the 
 lighter winch much to my comfort, and found no difference whatever in 
 the action of my rod. Nor did I expect to. In fact, I demonstrated by 
 subsequent experiment on grass that the line can be cast just as far and 
 just as easily without any winch at all. Naturally enough, the centre of 
 gravity in the rod will be slightly shifted by changing the weight of the 
 winch ; but this is met by placing the upper hand a trifle higher on the 
 rod than usual a measure which is rather a relief than otherwise. 
 
 It need hardly be said that a good winch deserves careful treatment. 
 In use it should be regularly oiled with refined oil, and cleaned inside and 
 out from time to time. Upon every Salmon river we meet with banks of 
 sand, particles of which are apt to be blown in between the outer and 
 inner discs of the winch. When this mishap occurs, a grating sound will 
 notify the coming mischief. Then is the time for the inside to be 
 thoroughly cleaned with paraffin and oiled with the best oil. This winch 
 is specially recommended to Salmon-anglers in the Badminton Library. 
 
 The " Sun and Planet" winch introduced by Malloch has its admirers, 
 but I do not know of it from my own experience. 
 
 The " Moscrop " is a ventilated winch having a lever made under a 
 different principle. The inventor claims for it that the Line Drier is 
 unnecessary. At all events, a line which I once left on after use was 
 perfectly dry the following morning. 
 
 There is another, brought out by Holbrow, which is a vast improve- 
 ment on the old sort, if only because it is made of aluminium. 
 
AT THE RIVERSIDE. 313 
 
 CHAPTEE VII. 
 THE HOD AT THE EIVERSIDE. 
 
 "Age has experience behind it, Youth hay promise before it ; and this promise is soonest 
 realised by men who refrain from the employment of n'hat, if old in fly-u-ork, is not altogether 
 ijood, and who remember that most of what is good in the carious ti-ays of fixhiny is not altogether 
 old." 
 
 NOTHING is more capable of filling the mind with noble thoughts than the 
 scene viewed from some airy point beside a Highland stream. Would 
 that my pen could describe those charms of Nature in her grandest 
 plenitude, those enchanting panoramas which are the delight of all fishers 
 and other sons of man. 
 
 Picture the majesty of a distant Ben standing out against the deep 
 orange of the western sky, its crowned head a gleaming mass of snow, 
 and the broad plain, irradiated with sunlight, spreading like a golden 
 carpet at his feet. Imagine the outlook on the southern side, partially 
 broken up by the rich fulness of waving woodland bordered with trees of 
 various species and appearance, each differing in glory like the stars. 
 There is one glory of the birch, so elegant in the midst of its silvern 
 tresses ; another glory of the yew, whose eager arms are driven round and 
 tortured by the many scolding winds it faced when young ; another glory 
 of the rowan-tree, whose orderly array of berries are supposed to possess 
 the magical power of charming away the wizards and the witches ; and 
 another glory of the sycamore that " spreads in gentle pomp its honeyed 
 
314 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 shade " o'er cooing cushats and mossy banks, where Sabbath couples love 
 to roam and linger. 
 
 The attentive eye is deeply moved by the pale blue of the heavens 
 visibly melting into a still paler gold that dies away in the orange towards 
 the horizon, over which hangs a thin veil of flame-tipped purple cloud, 
 letting a little bit of warm ground show through with variegated effects 
 of light. As a centre to the composition, a virtuoso is busily engaged on 
 the knoll in the foreground with his precious samples of potstones and 
 pseudomorphs. At uncertain intervals are groves of lofty pines, whose 
 weird gloom fittingly adorns the grandeur and mystery of the hills. Cleft 
 out from them is a half-choked ravine bedecked with budding green and 
 little streaks of water that sparkle among the sedges of the bracken- 
 covered banks. 'Drip, drip it comes in icy crystal drops from wreaths 
 of tangled moss ; and, here in baby jets and there in tiny trident falls, 
 forms a burn that gathers way and cuts through parish tiends and 
 stubbled land dotted with beehive huts, in which the Crofter, with happy 
 abandonment, wakes to the voice of the " wasteful cascade " below. 
 
 Suddenly the peaceful scene is invaded by the pinions of a hungry 
 and hateful cormorant. Warily advancing inland, watchful over the 
 watercourse, he is, after all, only the acknowledged portent of bad luck ; 
 and, caring for nothing short of four drams of powder and an ounce and a 
 half of " No. 5," steals away with the international blessing, " Tubaist air 
 an eun mohr dhubh sid ! "* 
 
 Meanwhile, hope springs eternal the fine splashes of a fish are 
 heard and the rings seen. In the lowland the flowers rise in clustering 
 beauty towards the towering rocks that cast an awful look below. From 
 the clefts in their sides a few straggling geans blossom out into rampant 
 trees, and if so be a wandering branch bears down, split and torn, it still 
 holds fast to the parent stem, and shelters beneath it the tesselated 
 pavement of Anglers' diverse beliefs. 
 
 A little further round riverward on the bosom of the brown moorland 
 extend the Butts, now and again emitting little puffs of white smoke and 
 sharp tongues of fire that tell of fellow sportsmen's doings not far away. 
 
 * Bother that big black bird there. 
 
THE SALMON. 315 
 
 Midway, seated under a rock, an old shepherd and his dog are resting, yet 
 both alert that none of the flock stray beyond bounds. Hard by, with its ivy 
 and its daws, the ruins of an abbey (scored by the terrible mandate of 
 Cromwell) moulder away. Over the water Mr. and Mrs. Venerable Goat 
 peer at us wonderingly, while their two fair "children of peril" gambol 
 in frolicsome mood and munch the grey-green herbage on rugged heights 
 inaccessible to feet bebrogued. Below, in the river that we love, a solitary 
 stag, alarmed by the grouse shooters, pursues a tranquil course through 
 the tail of our own pet pool, nodding his royally plenished head the while. 
 And as yon level sun sinks lower and lower and the silver sheen of 
 twilight fades from the darkening current, all these, save for the music of 
 rumbling waters and rustling trees, 
 
 In sweetest silence seek the shade of night, 
 
 And fill the pause the Salmon's leap made bright. 
 
 Then the moon glides, queen-like, into her great throne-room of the 
 heavens. 
 
 How vivid and how full of pleasure is the memory of such scenes ! 
 And yet how temperate is the emotion compared to that which the 
 Fisherman experiences when he stands prepared for the fray on the marge 
 of faultless pools stocked with fresh Salmon on their way from the sea ! 
 
 And the Salmon, the monarch of the river, what of him '? For 
 though there are several species of Salmo, from our standpoint there is 
 only one Lord and King ; the rest are offshoots of a noble family. 
 
 He is a picture once studied never to be forgotten. His proportions 
 cannot be taken in at a glance. He is courageous in the dead calm, and 
 bold as a lion in the very tornado itself. He shows no fear of men who 
 show no designs upon him. Like his captor, he varies in temperament 
 he is shy, volatile, determined, impressive, and forgiving, yet sometimes 
 very sulky. He has his own innumerable havens of rest, sometimes 
 shaded and shut in by feathering trees where sunbeams glimmer fitfully 
 the very place for a water nymph discreetly shut out from the gaze of 
 man. And in rivers that know no impurity he reigns in all his glory. 
 
 But our object is to catch him not with a prawn, not with a worm, 
 not with a " colley," nor with a spinning-bait. Not to any of these 
 
316 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 second-rate subtleties should he succumb. He should be caught only with 
 a fly. 
 
 Occasionally he allows no fly to pass him. Occasionally he refuses 
 all flies ; and in this respect he passes all understanding. Only the 
 expert himself, familiar with the peculiarities of every river from varied 
 experience and persistent observation, who knows and practices all the 
 casts, sits and dresses his own flies, and with them makes experiments 
 wherever he goes only such a man can be assured of anything like 
 general success ; and, even for him, an endless variety of patterns is an 
 indispensable condition. 
 
 Now in using a fly, men's ways are wonderfully diverse ; but if the 
 student aims at taking high rank in the art, the first step is to learn to 
 propel the fly by every recognised method so as never to miss, never to 
 pass by, but to cover and command each and every one of those "in- 
 numerable havens of rest," either by the " Overhand," or the less tiring 
 " Underhand " ; by the " Switch " with the " Peter" ; or (among other 
 methods special) by the scientific " Spey." 
 
 Having frequently instructed friends mycelf, I learnt in teaching to 
 observe carefully the motions necessary for the successful accomplishment 
 of the casts most commonly used, to what faults the inexperienced are 
 prone when attempting them, and in what manner such faults may be 
 corrected. 
 
 THE OVERHAND CAST. 
 
 I may here refer to an incident which will illustrate my point. It 
 took place on the greensward, and with a pretty "toy " made by Farlow 
 after my own pattern. By my directions my pupil proceeded to make a 
 plain Overhand cast, and in doing so was not long in betraying his ante- 
 cedents. 
 
 " A Trout throw," I ejaculated, watching this his first effort. " You 
 are throwing from the point instead of casting from the butt." 
 
 " Kindly show me the practical difference," he replied, handing me 
 the rod. 
 
 " Toy " though I called it, I complied with his request, and sent out 
 thirty yards of line with it. My " trouty " friend then reeled up to about 
 four and twenty yards, and yet he was not happy in his method. 
 

 o 
 
 o 
 
 a 
 s 
 
 H 
 
318 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 " Stay," I said, " don't jerk the rod in lifting the line at starting, but 
 with the point of it held down towards the fly (not over your head), get 
 the rod well bent by rapidly increasing the upward pressure ; and look at 
 your line as it goes in the air behind you. . . There it flies, not away 
 to your right rear, as it should do, in a direct line up towards that cloud 
 there, but sweeps round, mowing the grass actually behind you. Do not 
 let the point of the rod decline from you in lifting the line ; bring the rod 
 straight up past your right shoulder, and instead of swinging it round 
 behind you, check it sooner ; when, to make sure you have done right, 
 you can let the line drop on the grass to see if you had given it the 
 tendency to turn from a straight course." 
 
 " Thanks; fault No. 1," my pupil said, with a look on his face as if 
 he expected other corrections to follow. " And I suppose you don't 
 approve of the way I make the ' thrash-down ' ? " he added inquiringly. 
 
 " I was coming to that. You don't ' thrash-down ' at all, but give a 
 sort of side cut with the rod, and at the same time commit what, though 
 proper to Trout fishing, is a radical error in Salmon-angling, viz., trying 
 to make the top joint do the work." 
 
 " Then you wish me, as it were, not only to work from the butt, but 
 also to thrash downward, if I understand rightly, in the destined direction 
 of the cast." 
 
 " Exactly so, and in no other way will you be able to get the full 
 length of line straight out in front of you by this method." 
 
 I then proceeded to correct his attitude, getting him to advance his 
 left leg sufficiently forward to secure firmness of balance, and to warn 
 him to avoid labouring and swaying backwards and forwards, instead of 
 preserving a soldierly, erect position a position which, grown into habit, 
 becomes to the Angler a source of ease in action and economy in force. 
 
 " Then." I continued, " in the details of the cast, I notice two other 
 points to which you must pay special attention. First, the action of the 
 two hands, as you attempted to make the cast just now, was suggestive 
 rather of whipping than of casting. Maintain the hands throughout the 
 cast in their proper relative positions, so that in the back motion the 
 lower hand does not become unduly raised towards the front, or the point 
 of the rod will descend too far behind you. ... As I said just now, 
 
LESSON IN CASTING. 319 
 
 you must check the rod-top sooner. Secondly, you fail to grasp the idea 
 that in order to achieve my method you must turn your head to watch 
 the line behind, not only for the purpose of seeing that it is sent straight 
 back at the right height and angle, but for seizing the exact instant for 
 making the thrash-down." 
 
 " But how shall I know that ? " 
 
 " You will soon know, if you never fail to look and see for yourself. 
 When you observe the fly end of the line extended in the air a little 
 higher than the top of your rod you will know ; but bear in mind the 
 operations of gravitation, so, in extending it, take your aim high enough 
 at the outset." 
 
 "I am determined to learn the right way, if I can, but I confess I 
 find it difficult to follow the line with my eyes, for I cannot turn my 
 head." 
 
 " You will not find any difficulty if you send the line upwards in 
 the right direction. When you cannot follow the line with your eyes by 
 a slight turn of the head you may be sure you have sent it too little to 
 the right and too much to the rear, and that you have not brought up 
 your rod sufficiently straight." 
 
 " Now let me clearly understand how to make the thrash-down 
 explain to me what you meant by the ' exact instant.' ' 
 
 " When you have checked the rod in the upstroke, dwell until the 
 the line is nearly extended in the air ; but if you allow the fly to travel 
 further than within three or four yards of its full distance by dwelling 
 too long, the middle part of the line will be falling to the ground, when 
 you will not only fail to cast it, but very likely break the rod n trying to 
 do so." 
 
 "Why?" 
 
 "From the fact that the 'tug' of the line on the point of the rod 
 has died away. In setting up the tug, if you snatch at the line the rod 
 will probably break ; and this applies to the upstroke as well as the down- 
 stroke. Whatever you do, don't forget to check your rod early enough 
 in the thrash-down. It should not be allowed to reach beyond an angle 
 of 55 degrees, and then you can lay the line down rather than let' it fall 
 on the water as in Trout fishing." 
 
320 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 " I think I understand you from beginning to end, but practice is the 
 thing I want. I mean to master the lifting first ; it won't take me long 
 to send the line ' up towards that cloud,' and then I'll try and perfect 
 myself in the thrash-down. The method must be learnt by degrees, or 
 else I'm mistaken." 
 
 "That is an excellent conclusion to arrive at; but remember here 
 is the chief point remember the necessity for looking behind; you 
 understand the object of it, and believe me, your progress towards 
 efficiency and your complete success entirely depend upon it. Practice it 
 even when you become proficient, or you will soon fall into bad habits." 
 # * * * 
 
 Now, I refer to this lesson not only because it illustrates the 
 difficulties which the novice encounters in attempting the cast, but 
 because it also explains details which are not given, so far as I am aware, 
 in any book hitherto published on the subject. Modern authors, as we 
 know, abound with information on playing, striking and gaffing, all of 
 which might be learnt and written by a punt Fisherman with merely 
 Thames experience. 
 
 The first point for beginners to study, is the position both of the legs 
 and body. This varies according to circumstances. On land, or in easy 
 flowing streams, the Angler should stand fairly upright, his body being 
 sideways to the run of the stream and facing the spot on which he 
 desires his fly to alight that is to say, alighting across the current at an 
 angle of 45 degrees or thereabouts. The left foot in right-hand casting 
 should be in advance of the other and point in the desired direction of 
 the cast, while in left-hand casting the right foot is similarly advanced. 
 This position ensures the proper balance of the body during the effort 
 required to make the cast. But in rapids safety has to be considered 
 before convenience. It is frequently dangerous and at times impossible to 
 fish in rapids unless the Fisherman stands altogether sideways and leans 
 against the current, the up-stream leg bent, the foot pointing somewhat 
 that way, the down-stream leg extended and the foot pointing almost in 
 the direction of the current. In moving onwards the up-stream leg 
 should always take the first short step, and when it is firmly planted, the 
 other should feel its way to a secure position. If the down-stream foot is 
 
321 
 
 \ 
 
 MAJOB J. P. TKAHERXE. 
 
322 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 first advanced, a concealed boulder may give the Angler a sore shin or an 
 untimely bath before the up-stream foot can obtain a firm hold. The 
 body should be held fairly erect throughout the cast. The novice who 
 imagines that he can propel his line to a greater distance by throwing 
 forward his body in making the thrash-down, must never think of doing 
 so in rapids. A mere glance at the man who understands the work 
 would soon satisfy him of this. 
 
 The whole of the work must be done by the arms and the rod from 
 the butt upwards. It need hardly be said that, if the current flows from 
 the right to the left of the Fisherman as he stands facing the stream, the 
 rod is grasped with the right hand eight to twelve inches above the winch 
 so as to effect what is called " a right-hand cast." "When the current 
 flows in the opposite direction a left-hand cast is required and the 
 position of the hands is reversed. The exact distance of the upper hand 
 from the winch is determined by the balance of the rod and the 
 convenience of the Fisherman. The novice will speedily discover for 
 himself at what point he should place the upper hand so as to obtain the 
 best result with the least expenditure of force. (Fishermen should 
 accustom themselves to use either the right or the left hand as the upper 
 one with equal facility.) 
 
 Having placed himself in the appropriate position the Angler 
 proceeds to get out his line by taking a yard or two from the winch and 
 making what is termed a few " false casts " each time. As soon as 
 sufficient line is thus extended down stream, in lifting the rod back into 
 the air, the Angler gradually gets the point well bent before the smart 
 backward turn of the wrist of the upper hand is given. The lower hand, 
 holding the rod just above the indiarubber button, is at the same time 
 brought across the chest, swinging, as it were, with the right. If the 
 lower hand is not brought back in that way, the rod will be slanting too 
 much at the time it is checked. Any undue raising of the lower hand in 
 front of the Angler, and the line falls too low in the air behind him 
 perhaps strikes the ground, in which case the hook is invariably broken 
 or blunted at the point. 
 
 The back sweep of the rod describes in its track the outline of a narrow 
 oval. It is not semi-circular, as we are often given to understand. The 
 
THE ILL-EFFECT OF WIND. 323 
 
 rod barely declines to the right in ascent, nor inclines to left in descent. 
 Indeed the nearer the course of the rod's point to its course taken in the 
 thrash-down the better will the line be sent back in the air, and the 
 straighter and farther will it be laid on the water. 
 
 (The " recovery " of a rod in the back part of the cast depends for 
 the most part upon its material and make : in other words, one rod 
 straightens quicker than another. The action would, of course, be 
 delayed were the line in use too heavy for the rod ; but, apart from that, 
 a cane is quicker than a greenheart, and, in my opinion, a " Kelson " is 
 quicker with a long line than one having a steel centre, therefore the 
 delay spoken of is of less duration. The consequence is that the Angler 
 is less fatigued because he has not to hold up the rod so long in the air.) 
 
 I have referred to the mishaps to which the unwary Fisherman is 
 exposed who may attempt the thrash-down before the line is sufficiently 
 extended ; but sometimes the series of troubles is increased, and 
 especially so when the wind blows down stream. More flies are lost on 
 those occasions than on any other. This is occasioned by the resistance 
 of the wind against the line in its backward course whereby the " tug" 
 is lost. It is just here that a semi-circular sweep of the rod is advisable 
 before the thrash-down is made, in order to prevent the fly and perhaps 
 some of the gut being " snicked " off. The radius of the necessary semi- 
 circle depends on the velocity of the wind. There is, however, another 
 expedient by which all mischief is obviated, and it is far better for the 
 novice to adopt. He may put on a second fly (or "dropper") three 
 feet above the other, and find it act as a perfect safeguard ; and then he 
 will find that far less care in making the sweep of the rod is needed. 
 Personally, I never work with two flies, as I support the view that the 
 practice separates one from the proprieties of usage conducted on the 
 lines of true sportsmanship. If an expert were Spey-casting left-handed, 
 and a high down-stream wind sprung up, he would renew the cast right- 
 handed. After shifting the rod, he would drag the line towards him on 
 the near side and switch it out immediately dead across water. But in 
 the event of a long line being requisite he would make a similar switch 
 and then pick up the line and cast it across by the " Overhand," leaving 
 the wind to carry the fly to its proper quarters. 
 
 Y2 
 
324 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 It remains for me to describe how the length of a cast may be 
 increased by "shooting" line; and I have a word or two to say on a 
 different matter. The subject of shooting line has been referred to in 
 another chapter ; and but little practice is needed to master the 
 method. 
 
 The feat consists first in the Angler drawing from the winch the 
 length of line required, and, while so doing, making and placing coils of 
 it, one by one, between the point of the forefinger and thumb of the 
 upper hand. These coils, of about a yard in length from end to end, 
 hang down in front of the winch and are lightly held there until the 
 point of tension in the thrash-down is reached. If at that instant they are 
 dropped they will be dragged out by the rest of the line ; but if dropped 
 
 SHOOTING LINE. 
 
 too soon, the middle part of the running line will belly down towards the 
 water, and the " slack " will not be taken out at all. In making, say, a 
 thirty-yard cast, a four-yard length should be shot ; a thirty-four yard 
 cast a six-yard length, and so on in proportion. To shoot ten yards with 
 upright revolving rings is no great feat provided the line is smooth, 
 properly dressed and of the right size and weight. 
 
 But in wading, when the coils fall from the hand, the current takes 
 them out of position as shown in the accompanying diagram, thus forming 
 
" FIDDLING." 325 
 
 an acute angle in the line at the point A as well as at point B. The 
 force of the water at the lower part B prevents the feat of shooting being 
 accomplished. This is easily remedied by the Angler seizing the winch 
 end of the dropped coils at the point C, and giving with his lower hand 
 so placed a good snatch so as to bring the whole of the slack part back 
 under the bottom ring of the rod, when it will all shoot out as readily as 
 on land. Thus it will be understood how much the action of the rod can 
 be preserved, and, by this cast, how much more water can be 
 covered. 
 
 This extra length of line, however, often results in a good deal of it 
 getting " drowned " sucked to too great a depth below the surface. 
 When this occurs, the excessive resistance offered by the water impedes 
 the recovery of the line, which refuses to be lifted ; but this opposition of 
 the water is counteracted by what is known as " fiddling " the line. 
 Fiddling is accomplished by beating the point of the rod up and down, 
 just before the fly gets to its final station in neutral water. The process 
 may be best described in the following way : 
 
 The short, sharp beats are continuous and are all strong enough to 
 kill a small bird perched on a post at a convenient distance from the 
 Angler. They cause a sort of coil in the line, which seems to run along 
 the surface of the water, and so raise or keep the fly-end near the surface. 
 This explanation may be taken as the practical interpretation of " fiddling" 
 the line, and unless the Angler is using such a rod as the " Traherne " 
 pattern, which is noted for its power of lifting, he should hardly ever make 
 a long Overhand cast without as much of the performance as the nature 
 of the stream suggests. 
 
 In quitting our remarks on the " Overhand," I would remind the 
 student that, apart from questions relating to stature whether the man 
 be very tall or even very short the line should be made to whistle 
 through the air and that the least amount of strength should be applied 
 for the accomplishment. Whatever the line may be, the action of the 
 rod is an all-important consideration, as I have already endeavoured to 
 show. The Angler must be properly appointed. No decent Overhand 
 cast can be made, for instance, with such tackle as that commonly used 
 on the Spey. The Spey rod is exceedingly whippy and useful, and as 
 
826 
 
 
 MR. HENBY KELSALL. 
 
THE UNDERHAND. 327 
 
 unsuited for the " Overhand," as the all-powerful " Traherne " is for the 
 Spey cast, or for killing fish in low, bright water with fine gut. 
 
 THE UNDERHAND CAST. 
 
 It seems but yesterday that I w r as reading, I forget where, of the folly 
 of using more than five and twenty yards of line. But I believe the writer 
 was no approved authority ; at least, his reasoning appeared to me as 
 remarkably suggestive of the fellow who would attempt to describe 
 the habits and customs of mankind with only a knowledge of those of 
 one nation. 
 
 Five and twenty yards by the " Underhand," is, without doubt, a 
 pretty little length to get out fair and square ; but I have been, I am and 
 always shall be, of the opinion that a long line in Salmon-fishing is often 
 as necessary as a short one. The question seems to be disputed only by 
 those who, from some fault in method or tackle, are unable to cover or 
 control a fish in the distance. To propel a really long line by the 
 " Underhand " is, however, impossible, yet the cast is as popular 
 in places as the "Overhand" is worshipped. This may be accounted 
 for by the fact that it frequently satisfies the requirements of men 
 getting on in years who seek entertainment with the smallest degree of 
 exertion. 
 
 The " Underhand " is far less tiring than other methods, and will 
 exact from the novice a minimum of intellectual effort for its com- 
 prehension. 
 
 The leading features will be brought before the eye and mind of the. 
 student, by a mere casual study of the accompanying illustration. With 
 the picture before him he will comprehend, without verbal instruction, 
 the simple method that dominates the cast. Perhaps a little explanation 
 in regard to certain details may be of service, but I fail to see the 
 written description that would answer the purpose so well as the picture. 
 
 Let us first take the way in which the Angler should stand to fish ; 
 for whilst the " Underha.nd " demands from its devotees a good attitude, 
 they are, at any rate, released from the duty of "fiddling" the line as 
 they proceed. 
 
: I' ' 
 
 . '/ 
 
 w 
 
 I 
 
THE POSITION OF THE FEET. 829 
 
 It is important for beginners to possess the most accurate ideas of 
 the position of the feet and legs. This varies more or less in accordance 
 with circumstances. For instance, on land, as in easy flowing streams, 
 the Angler stands fairly upright and less sideways than in Overhand 
 casting, as shown by the sketches. He, moreover, places his feet to suit 
 his own comfort and convenience, though, as a rule, the right foot in left- 
 hand casting is a little in advance of the other, and generally faces the 
 ultimate direction of the line. But in rapids this is not so, because, as I 
 have said, safety must be studied before convenience. It is simply 
 dangerous, if not utterly impossible, to fish in rapids unless the Fisherman 
 stands altogether sideways and leans well against the current up-stream, 
 leg bent, and facing rather that way ; the down-stream leg extended, and 
 the foot pointing somewhat with the run of the water. 
 
 It may be said that, on land, the sole object of the Angler's attitude 
 is absolute freedom an easy working, unattended by any intermediate 
 tax on the workman as in the case of the " Overhand," e.g., the looking 
 behind. 
 
 In the present instance, i.e., in rapids, the position is decidedly 
 cramped. The Angler is, so to speak, limited to the use only of his arms ; 
 the firmer and the more rigidly he holds himself the better. And here, I 
 would repeat, that in moving onwards the up-stream leg always takes 
 the first short step ; the other then feels its way before the foot is 
 planted. 
 
 Now in propelling the fly, the Angler makes the back sweep of the 
 rod with unwavering confidence of success. He/eeZs rather than sees that 
 the line is dragged from the water, that it travels round in the air far 
 enough behind him so as to tug the point of the rod, the action of which 
 alone propels the fly. This is equal to saying that the line is steadily 
 drawn from the water rather than hurriedly lifted, and that the thrash- 
 down is made without vigourous muscular exertion. 
 
 In lifting the line, the rod may appear to the eye of a spectator to 
 bend considerably, but provided all jerking is foresworn and a steady 
 swing of the arms pursued, its action is, nevertheless, so even and regular 
 that failure is almost impossible. So far, however, as regards the force 
 to be applied, we must bear in mind that the line is only partially 
 
330 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 extended behind the Fisherman. It follows that much less strength is 
 needed than in the " Overhand," in which case the line is fully extended. 
 
 Observe the shape and position of the rod in the picture, wherein the 
 fly is supposed to be just leaving the water. If the Angler does not 
 permit the rod to take a lower or more slanting course, and if sufficient 
 yet not too much force be employed, the fly can scarcely help taking the 
 track depicted. 
 
 We are told, I need not say where, that long casts can be made by 
 the " Underhand " ! To my thinking, the mind of the writer in question 
 could not have been directed to the " Underhand " proper. He may have 
 been speculating upon the results attained on the "Spey, for in his 
 arguments set forth if my memory does not strangely deceive me he 
 suggests that the rod there in general use is originally made in a curve to 
 strengthen its lifting power. Really the statement involves questions for 
 solution, which must be traced to their source and accounted for here, as 
 it has ended in the loss of much money, time, and energy. Hods have 
 thus been made, tried, and thrown aside. Even rod-racks, constructed on 
 a principle to preserve the curve in the hope of strengthening the rod, 
 have been established. But what a mistake ! In the ordinary Spey cast, 
 length is a more important factor in a rod than strength. You cannot 
 lift a long line with a short rod ; and what a Spey rod lifts it casts. 
 Besides, you want no special strength for lifting the line ; in the " Under- 
 hand " you do ; and, in the Overhand the remarks bear repetition you 
 want still more. 
 
 Perhaps I need not enlarge upon what has been urged in this chapter 
 with regard to the distance the fly can be propelled by the " Underhand " ; 
 but I especially wish to observe that the Underhand cast is separate and 
 widely different from the " Spey." The two methods differ; the results 
 attained differ ; the local conditions compelling the adoption of the one 
 absolutely prohibit the adoption of the other ; the one is mere child's 
 play to master, whilst the other is known to master men. 
 
 As to the origin of the curve in rods, we may think as we will, but 
 we cannot get away from the solid fact that the most common cause of a 
 rod bending up or down is use. I am convinced that this curve, come 
 how it may, is a downright defect, a positive weakness. Just for instance, 
 
331 
 
 
 COLONEL EICHAKD BOCKE. 
 
332 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 as the upward curve proceeds from Spey casting, so does the downward 
 curve from Overhand casting, and the explanation of it is simply this : 
 
 In both methods there is the up and the doicn stroke. The principal 
 strain on the rod in Spey casting is generated in the down stroke, and, as 
 a perfectly natural sequence the top joint, in due course, bends upwards ; 
 on the other hand, the principal strain on the rod in Overhand casting is 
 generated in the up stroke, and so, just as naturally the top joint bends 
 downwards. But from a comparative standpoint, the difference between 
 the up and down strain is greater in the " Spey," and so it takes 
 less time for the "Spey" rod to get bent than for the "Overhand" 
 rod. 
 
 It is quite immaterial what the rod may be ; in every case, Salmon 
 rods are affected in this way when persistently used for the one or the 
 other method only. The remedy for such weakness is very simple : Spey 
 casting cures the Overhand weakness, and Overhand casting cures the 
 Spey weakness ; but this treatment is, of course, recommended to Anglers 
 who use the tackle advocated in these pages, rather than to others whose 
 rods are not built for making both casts. 
 
 As, however, the novice may entertain some doubt in regard to the 
 final position of the rod engaged in the " Underhand," I would now submit 
 a few further details for his guidance. 
 
 The Angler completes the forward movement, or "thrash-down" as 
 we call it, without that sudden checking which is imperative in the 
 " Overhand." The rod is thrashed through and reaches quite a horizontal 
 position. In making this cast even experienced men sometimes beat the 
 surface of the water with the rod at the finish ; but is not the practice 
 one that shows a want of order and neatness ? I think so. 
 
 It is a proviso, which perhaps may be attached with advantage to 
 these details, that in whatever way the line is propelled, " playing 
 the fly" in the water as subsequently explained should be generally 
 observed. 
 
 Suffice it, however, for the present purpose to state that, in working 
 the fly round over the area of the cast made, the rod pointing to where 
 the fly fell, maintains a somewhat horizontal position; at any rate the 
 rod should be only slightly elevated. This is for two reasons : first, the 
 
THE PROPER TACKLE. 333 
 
 fly fishes deep and the Angler has a better chance of striking and hooking 
 properly ; and secondly, the lifting the line for another cast can be better 
 accomplished. 
 
 Now the only element of uncertainty in connection with the 
 " Underhand " turns upon the question of one's appointments. The cast, 
 for example, with a line too light for the action of the rod, cannot be 
 made to the satisfaction of critical eyes. The principle of the method is 
 a safe and sure tell-tale of a light line. Unless the line is heavy enough 
 the tug dies away, in which case, obviously, considerable force for the 
 thrash-down must be employed or the whole thing fails. 
 
 The general principle under which the Angler can best judge of this 
 matter for himself, is simply to watch for a certain symmetrical form of 
 the rod, just before the line leaves the water. The picture, however, here 
 comes to the rescue. It should convey to the observer a thorough idea 
 both of the form of the rod at that moment, as well as the effect of its 
 action consequent therefrom. If the rod were less bent at that moment, 
 the line would in all probability be too thin or too light ; if more bent, too 
 bulky or too heavy. As regards the action of the rod itself, here, likewise, 
 I am conscious of the somewhat indefinite nature of verbal instruction. 
 It is too well known that in selecting a rod from the maker even with 
 that " other eye," like Sam Slick's artist's, which takes the view before 
 the a2t of vision is completed many questions will arise which are 
 extremely difficult of solution. What an unnamed rod will be like in use, 
 we cannot tell with exactitude in a tackle shop, for there is absolutely no 
 criterion to go by. In short, no human ingenuity can devise a plan by 
 which we can make sure even of a greenheart rod, unless it were one of 
 the few that are christened by men whose names are, in themselves, a 
 guarantee the very few of which, in the hands of experts, the one is 
 equal to this cast, this to that, and the other to them all. And there it 
 must end. 
 
 To sum up my remarks, if the patient pursuit of excellence in Under- 
 hand casting is not uniformly rewarded in rapids or under falls, it meets 
 with its full share of recompense in pools, and particularly in ruffled but 
 steady and straight flowing waters. With that observation we will pass 
 on to the method adopted in the Highlands. 
 
334 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 THE SPEY CAST. 
 
 It is remarkable how great is the difference between ideal impressions 
 and the truth established by practical experience. I am reminded of this 
 by reference to a communication which I received from a Scottish 
 gentleman of great authority who says that " An ounce of demonstration 
 is worth a pound of theory." . . "But the glory and reputation of the 
 ' Spey,' " he continues, " is positively demolished by Mr. - , who flings 
 at the unwary, not one apple of discord, but a whole orchard full. 
 Fancy an author of an Angling book estimating our method as the best to 
 adopt in boisterous weather ! Not for the sake cf twenty books or for the 
 fame of twenty authors must such a false impression of this beautiful cast 
 be allowed to remain an enduring reality, seeing that practical Anglers 
 are still to the fore who can and will refute his delusive assertions." No 
 doubt there are many who could do so ; at all events the rising generation 
 of Anglers may safely understand that the time mentioned in the book 
 alluded to for the adoption of the " Spey," is precisely the very time when 
 Spey men desist from its use. 
 
 Although the intricacies of this cast, as commonly made, may be set 
 down on paper with considerable probability that the explanation will be 
 sufficient for bright intelligences, it is scarcely to be hoped that verbal 
 instructions will have much fruit without considerable practice at the 
 riverside. But in explaining any of these casts, I feel greatly assisted by 
 illustration obtained by processes not disclosed to writers up to this 
 time. 
 
 The " Spey " admits of many variations and, without exception, 
 produces signal results. It is, therefore, just one of all other casts to 
 master and apply in 'places for which the system is adapted, as, for 
 example, where the line cannot be fully extended behind the Angler. But 
 although more or less complicated, the cast does not seem at all bewilder- 
 ing, even in verbal description. 
 
 To better follow me throughout the details, which I may say are 
 authenticated, it is necessary to agree very carefully as to some precise 
 situation in which I am supposed to be fishing. The reader may take it 
 that I am at work on the bank of a river which flows from north to 
 south, and casting right-handed. 
 
335 
 
 MAJOR AND MRS. GRANT. 
 
336 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 Some of the particulars to follow will derive much of their interest 
 from the circumstance that they emanate from an accomplished executant 
 of the " Spey," whose name will at once occur to brothers of the rod. 
 For I am fortunate enough to possess a plain and effective argument from 
 Major Grant, and am also at liberty to give the reader the text of his 
 communication. Indeed, the information must be infinitely more 
 acceptable than anything I could write rnyself in my own conventional 
 vein. 
 
 " I hardly think," says " Glen Grant," " that the cast can be written 
 of so as to unveil the mystery from end to end. Comparatively speaking, 
 the riddle of the Sphinx is a contemptibly easy conundrum. Do not 
 attempt to enter into countless matters incidental to the method. Simply 
 state that at times every cast varies now from the run of the water, out 
 of which you take your fly ; now from the length of line you want ; again 
 from making your fly alight on a particular place ; and still more, perhaps, 
 from the strength of the wind and the way it blows. The beginner soon 
 masters all this if left to himself, I know that of old from personal 
 observation. Doubtless there are difficulties to overcome in mastering a 
 new cast and making it familiar ; but merely explain the essential 
 principles, that is all that's wanted. In the natural order of things, the 
 minds of your young pupils will, I feel sure, take a wider range and soon 
 learn for themselves that nothing is denied to well-directed effort and very 
 little obtained without it." 
 
 Here we have a definite, accurate, separate, and entirely practical 
 testimony which the student of the " Spey " would do well to consider. 
 
 Before proceeding further, I cannot but express the hope that all the 
 complications, which to the merest child on the Spey are not complications 
 at all, may be eventually estimated by the student in their true relative 
 proportions, and that the arguments submitted are easy of compre- 
 hension. 
 
 Now the great thing in this cast, the pure essential part upon which 
 it entirely depends, is to compel the line to strike the water after lifting 
 it out instead of sending it back in the air. Bearing this in mind, let 
 us fix our attention on the special features of the procedure from beginning 
 to end. 
 
THE WASP GRUB 
 
 LOUISE . 
 
 THE HOP DOG 
 
 THE GHOST 
 
 THE BLUE BOYNE. 
 
 
 Plate 7 
 
 I.ORNE. 
 
 THE INVER GREEN 
 
THE SPEY CAST. 337 
 
 The tackle being extended down stream, you first get a downward 
 curve in the portion of line out of water, by raising the rod somewhat 
 gently towards the position seen in Illustration No. 1 ; then, without any 
 intermission, you get the curve in the contrary direction (upward) on the 
 eve of lifting the fly-end out, by slightly dropping the rod-point when 
 near the perpendicular, outwards ; and, still carrying the rod easily and 
 regularly back and round inwards, so that the point of it forms the 
 outline (see Illustration 1) of a reversed letter S, you finally complete the 
 cast, just as the fly-end of the line is lightly striking the water near 
 your outer side, by a hearty " thrash-down " aimed at the destined 
 direction of the fly, as depicted in Illustrations Nos. 2 and 3. 
 
 The student should get these few words fixed in his mind and be 
 able to follow their meaning before perusing further explanations. When 
 he has succeeded so far, having, I take it, become intimate with the 
 " Underhand," if only by the association of ideas, he can mentally draw 
 comparisons between the early part of the two casts, and form a clear 
 notion of the design and purpose for which each is done He will realise 
 that in the Spey cast instead of the fly being drawn out of water higher 
 and higher from its surface until it turns up and round in the air behind 
 the Angler, it has (with one brilliant exception) to be drawn no further 
 up-stream than beside him. And he will understand that by the law of 
 mechanics as the fly has to strike the water beside him, the point of the 
 rod must descend for that purpose before it finally rises to make the 
 thrash-down. The very fact of this descent and ascent compels the 
 fly to take an up-and-down course in the air before it strikes the 
 water. 
 
 What would be the result of making the first part of the " Spey " 
 without dropping the point of the rod outwards as the first part of the 
 " Underhand " is made ? 
 
 Simply defeat, from the fact (1) that the line would not leave the 
 water, and (2) that it would be dragged in the water towards the Angler 
 only a limited portion of the desired distance. But, in spite of this, I am 
 inclined to the opinion that the easiest way of learning to make the line 
 strike the water as stated, is to fancy you are making a sort of " Under- 
 hand," not failing to slightly raise the point of the rod at starting, and to 
 
 Z 
 
THE SPEY CAST. 341 
 
 bring it round in an " O.G." fashion before making the thrash-down in 
 continuation of the sweep of the double curve. 
 
 However, the young aspirant who, with an intense desire to obtain 
 the key to Angling knowledge, has cast a longing eye upon the " Spey," 
 and secretly wonders at the result incident to the method, should clearly 
 understand that the principle owes its success to that one bold, urging, 
 persistent movement of the rod which refuses to be hindered in making 
 progress by quasi-jerks, or, in fact, by anything that shall check, bias, or 
 alter its even undulating, progress, and finally vigorous action. 
 
 The cast is made in one motion, without intermission, and not in 
 two. The point of the rod keeps steady. If the rod does not maintain 
 its bend, the point quivers and shakes, the very symptom of which 
 forbodes defeat. Neither can it be impressed upon the beginner too 
 strongly that the rod, not stiff in action, must be sensitive to the tug of 
 the line, the loss of which influence absolutely destroys the intended 
 effect of the whole proceeding. Although the " Kelson " covers 40 yards 
 and more, the rod I like best for this business is built by Farlow on the 
 lines of one altered again and again at the riverside and fashioned by 
 myself. I like it, not only because a long line is easily worked, but also 
 because the rod possesses a certain power that comes to the rescue at 
 those times when the wind renders Spey-casting almost impracticable. 
 
 (Sometimes we are obliged to change the position of hands. As an 
 instance of this, when the wind crossing the water blows the line much 
 towards the bank, we put the left hand above the right, lift the line as 
 before towards the right shoulder, and, after bringing the rod well round 
 overhead to the near side, make the downcast left-handed. It is 
 eminently desirable to exercise this extra care and judgment, inasmuch as 
 some people exhibit on these occasions a curiously elaborate capacity for 
 hooking themselves in the cheek ; whereas if they shorten the line, put on 
 less steam, and proceed in the manner described, gradually increasing the 
 length of the line, the operation of cutting off every atom of material from 
 their imbedded fly before the bare hook is removed from its hold point 
 first, would never be required. Sometimes one or two, or maybe three, 
 false casts are necessary in order to " pick up" the line properly. These 
 are made as far as possible away from the fish, inside or outside their lay- 
 
342 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 byes. And, it may be incidentally said that, in fishing from, or very near, 
 the bank, visible signs of wear and tear of the line soon become apparent. 
 The mischief proceeds from hitching up in bushes, or coming in contact 
 with other more serious obstructions pebbles, rocks and the like. But 
 as soon as the general principle of the cast is understood, the method 
 might be practised in one's room with a stick and a piece of string, or on 
 one's lawn with a rod and a short line.) 
 
 By our ordinary way of bringing the rod round, the delaying influence 
 of the water upon the portion of the line that strikes it helps to make the 
 tug perpetual, the immense importance of which is instantly realised at 
 the critical moment of making the thrash -down. The veriest tyro will 
 understand what I mean by attending closely to the following minute 
 particulars. He will understand : (1) That the mere fact of bringing the 
 rod back must cause the line to tug the point of it. (2) That the strength 
 of the tug, though moderated in slightly lowering the point of the rod 
 outwards, is yet compensated for by the reduced speed of the line caused 
 by coming in contact with the water. 
 
 From a nearly perpendicular position the rod slightly ascends before 
 descending, and is brought round so that at no time it reaches more than 
 the angle of about 45 degrees. Brought round at a lower angle the rod 
 causes an unnecessarily large backward bow in the line. If, however, a 
 cast has to be made actually across the water, the fly must strike the 
 surface much further out than usual, in which case the line forms a very 
 large bow almost opposite the Angler rather than behind him. 
 
 Speaking generally and familiarly, if you don't pick the line up clean 
 ancl don't place the fly sufficiently up-stream, the line splashes the water 
 in reaching its final destination. In fact, when the cast is made perfectly 
 the fly beats the rapid current a little higher up than the Angler, and then 
 he is able to propel the line, not along, but altogether above the surface, 
 if he wishes to do so. The faster the current the less time must the line 
 rest on the water, if, indeed, it should be allowed to rest at all, even in 
 the steadiest stream. And it stands to reason that an accelerated current 
 demands a proportionately quick effort to make a suitable cast over it ; 
 but this quicker cast will not be found as difficult as that suited to the 
 slower stream. 
 
THE SPEY CAST. 843 
 
 Let us now consider the question of force usually required. 
 
 The Angler makes no violent effort, he uses little force, and yet 
 brings the rod round quick enough to reanimate and keep in swing, say, 
 35 yards of line, so that it tugs the point of the rod as uniformly as 
 possible up to and during the time of the thrash-down. It need not be 
 said that the extra force employed in actually propelling the line just 
 while it strikes the water makes the tug considerably greater everybody 
 understands that. 
 
 There is, perhaps, a little speculation as to how much force is applied 
 in bringing the rod back and round. In this one detail (so much depend- 
 ing on the wind as well as on the water) I fail to see the value of written 
 instruction from which the student could take his cue with any degree of 
 confidence and suddenly reach an immediate satisfactory result. The 
 very nature of the thing prohibits it. 
 
 In such a contingency, having no instrument to measure the degrees 
 of force applied in lifting the line, how am I to estimate it ? The true 
 force is ascertainable by comparing various facts, and this is the only way 
 out of it. It is perfectly obvious that, in lifting the line, the proportion 
 of strain on the muscles used in the " Overhand " and the " Underhand" 
 respectively differs in ratio, neither more nor less than do the respective 
 proportions of strain used in the " Underhand " and " Spey." For instance, 
 in the " Underhand" the force is less than in the " Overhand," and yet 
 sufficient to compel the fly to travel about one half the distance in the air 
 at the rear of the Angler ; whereas in the " Spey" that force is so reduced 
 as to bring the fly no further than beside the Angler, or even a little in 
 front of him. Hence the proportionate decrease of force needed, and the 
 necessity for much more lifting power in the Overhand rod than in the 
 Spey rod. 
 
 But taking any one particular condition of wind and water, is the 
 force definable ? 
 
 This question is, I think, to be answered in the negative. It seems 
 to me to be purely an affair of judgment. But if by the comparisons 
 just made and conclusions just drawn from the three distinct methods of 
 casting the student has succeeded in gaining a clue to the amount -"of 
 force wanted, his study of the Illustrations will surely lead to further 
 
344 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 knowledge ; at least, I hope so, for while arranging and adapting them 
 to our purpose, I had this one important particular in my mind's eye. 
 Let him examine closely Illustration No. 1, for it clearly suggests that in 
 thus lifting the rod and bringing it back and round in such limited space 
 the force cannot be very great. I am, in short, clearly of the opinion 
 that if the Spey rod were over-powerful, the action of it alone would 
 compel the fly-end of the line to travel moch too far up-strearn after the 
 line is lifted from the water. 
 
 In making the cast, the impetus is given to the rod almost entirely 
 by the right hand. The pear-shaped figure which the point of the rod 
 describes is depicted in Illustration No. 1 just as it appears in the 
 original photograph. But in point of shape this figure varies, sometimes 
 for one reason sometimes for another. 
 
 First, in wading, or we will say, working on ground free from all 
 obstructions, the rod descends not much outward, but nearer the right 
 shoulder, backwards ; at any rate, in a far more continuous line with the 
 casting line. Here, then, to get the necessary sweep of the rod in 
 bringing it round afterwards, the point must come more over the bank 
 actually behind the Angler, consequently the part of the figure in No. 1 
 Illustration , where the line seems to cross or intersect itself, leans out over 
 the water, whilst, of course, the base of the dotted line Is more round 
 towards the bank. By keeping the above considerations before us we 
 shall best attain our object to fish often with as little fatigue as possible. 
 
 For a second example, we will take for illustration the cast made 
 across the water. Here, as intimated, the rod, in descending, reaches 
 an angle of 35 degrees in order to place the fly well out upon the water, 
 therefore the figure differs in shape. But this variation in the "Spey" 
 is often adopted in order to keep the part of the line which curves round 
 astern of the Angler, from boughs hanging over the water (up river) 
 almost within reach of the rod ; so, in forming the first part of the figure, 
 it is imperative to give considerable outward impetus to the rod in its 
 descent by icrist action. The natural sequence from this detrusion is 
 that the fly strikes the water, not close in, but far out upon it, and that 
 is why the rod can be brought round for the thrash-down nearer the 
 perpendicular, instead of deviating in a greater degree than usual from the 
 
THE SPEY CAST. 345 
 
 Angler's right side. The point of the rod has described, we will suppose, 
 the outline of an ovoid athwart the river, just on the right side of the 
 Angler. If the point of the rod had left some mark to indicate the track 
 pursued, the figure would appear to a spectator stationed in the water 
 above or below to range between east and west. 
 
 The due formation of such figure and the effect it produces on the 
 line will probably involve the student in complicated embarrassments 
 more difficult to surmount than any that he will experience. The whole 
 cast, in this instance, must be made quickly ; and, although difficult, it 
 still appeals irresistibly to the Fisherman because no other means of 
 commanding a fish in such awkward situations are forthcoming. 
 
 To introduce that one " brilliant exception " to which I formerly 
 alluded, I would first remark that, in passing from quiet to rapid waters, 
 we find it necessary to make the fly strike the surface in a different place 
 altogether. 
 
 The instant the fly-end of the line is placed on the surface in a rapid 
 it is swept away out of the position by the torrent, and to meet the case 
 the fly must strike the water, not beside us, but at a spot five to seven 
 yards above us. It is in rapids only that, during the thrash-down, the rod 
 almost hits the fly as it rides past the Angler in the air up-stream, heed- 
 lessly, yet under perfect control. This is practically equivalent to saying 
 that the thrash-down takes place sooner than usual certainly somewhat 
 before the fly alights. It is so, and consequently this variety of the " Spey " 
 is also made quickly ; and in obedience to the quickened movement of 
 the rod in its backward course, the fly travels further up the water before 
 reaching the surface. But this is not detrimental to the proceeding. On 
 the contrary ; for in working its way round the rod keeps pace with the line 
 with mathematical precision, and so the whole business is materially 
 simplified. We also find that in making the thrash-down there seems to 
 be less need for the delaying influence of the water, yet we know that it 
 has occurred, not necessarily by an instantaneous act of the mind, but by 
 the constant co-operation of the rod and line, detected by the sense of 
 touch at the time being. From these facts the student probably com- 
 prehends how much easier it will be for him to learn the Spey cast in 
 rapids than in quiet waters. 
 
346 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 There are many debatable points, but perhaps the reader has formed 
 a fair estimate of the system already ; still the subject has not been yet 
 by any means exhausted. 
 
 At this stage I should like to call for special attention. 
 
 We have said that the Spey cast is not a method of fishing to be 
 adopted with a Spey rod in boisterous weather ; we have had the nature 
 of the cast revealed, and have read a series of comments relating to 
 certain observances in the system ; but we have yet to follow it from the 
 Illustrations. 
 
 In proceeding in that direction it will be my endeavour to analyse the 
 cast by a separate process, in the hope that the understanding may be 
 enabled distinctly to follow up the method through its different stages. 
 
 Looking now at these Illustrations, the point of the rod in No. 1 
 first describes an outline of a contorted and reversed letter S. 
 
 I say " contorted," and I am well advised, as the shape is not that of 
 a reversed letter S on a flat surface ; for the upper part soon twists out- 
 wards, while the lower and very much longer curve turns inwards. 
 
 At the very beginning of the cast, I would repeat that the rod is 
 raised. This makes the line belly downwards, as shown, and brings the 
 " tug " into existence. Without pause the rod still ascends, and then 
 slightly descends outwards, circles round, as it comes inwardly towards 
 the Angler's right rear, and pursues its course for the thrash-down to 
 a point where, if the line is to be propelled above the water, as in 
 No. 3 Illustration* a better plan than allowing it to run its course 
 along the surface of the water in the customary way the rod is to be 
 checked as set forth in the details of the " Overhand." 
 
 The explanation here is simple and will not detain us long. 
 
 Casting the line above the water is a justifiable measure where fish 
 are shy ; for the very splash of the line disturbs them to such an extent 
 that I have seen it result in driving both Salmon and Grilse from pools 
 altogether. 
 
 For this reason the departure from the old custom, at times and. in 
 
 * This improvement in the system is not one to be recommended to the novice. Let him 
 become familiar with the ordinary way of propelling the line and he will have far less trouble 
 in learning the cast and mastering its various features. 
 
THE SPEY CAST. 347 
 
 places, cannot be insisted upon too strongly. But in more than one 
 direction the improved and creditable method affords great pleasure to 
 the artist engaged. For, if while fishing a shy pool over again, he reaps 
 no benefit by reason of his former care and dexterity, he certainly retires 
 with the satisfactory knowledge that his successor on it will fish in water 
 comparatively undisturbed. We ought all to hold the opinion that this is 
 no trifling satisfaction to veterans ever mindful of the interests of others. 
 There is yet another practical advantage derived, for when propelled 
 above the water, the line carries out coils drawn from the winch for the 
 purpose of " shooting." Perhaps the chances for the novice using a Spey 
 rod of coming to grief in this respect are somewhat numerous, for as it 
 happens the most diligent enthusiast would not pledge himself to manage 
 more than half the length accomplished with ease and success by the 
 Overhand method with our style of rod. Still a yard is a yard, and must 
 help to preserve the rod's action. 
 
 But to continue. The "S" motion maybe said to terminate and 
 the down-cast to commence at the same point as in the Overhand Cast. 
 And, to be very explicit, the course of the point of the rod almost from 
 start to finish is distinguished by the dotted line. 
 
 The reader will observe, that to bring the line under efficient control 
 it has been first raised from the stream as much as possible by lifting 
 the rod high in the air. But it should be borne in mind that the Angler 
 then proceeds without delay, and uses just sufficient power to bring the line 
 from the water (by the motion of the rod as described) so that it strikes 
 the surface momentarily at the mark X in No. 2 illustration. 
 
 The benefit generally derived from so lifting the rod in the pre- 
 liminary process is manifest the less line in the water, the less force in 
 withdrawing it, and the less chance of failure in propelling it, because the 
 fly-end strikes the water at the proper place. The long Spey rod, 
 therefore, claims a slight advantage over ours when any great length of 
 line is in use. But in actually propelling the line, our style of rod has far 
 greater power against a breeze (in fact, a Spey rod has little or none), and 
 you can either cast or throw with it an advantage that can hardly be 
 over-estimated in certain cramped places on unfavourable days. Throwing 
 a Salmon fly is, however, a practice passionately denounced on Spey side 
 
348 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 as being not precisely sportsmanlike. I referred to this matter before, 
 but sometimes it is not possible to get out the line by any other method. 
 
 If a swirl or undercurrent should happen to bury the line so as to 
 suggest undue force when first lifting the rod, an inner false cast or two 
 must be given, and as soon as the line by that means has been fully 
 extended, the cast is made before the mischief again sets in. 
 
 The centre course of rod and line simply shows the effect produced on 
 them in rapids where the current holds the line and sets up an increased 
 action of the rod. If the cast is commenced too hurriedly, or, in other 
 words, if too much force is used to start with, the fly-end is sent too far 
 up-stream, in which case the tug of the line is often lo~st, and this means 
 defeat. The Angler would be more likely to be spared this dispiriting 
 occurrence if he rather under-rates than over-rates the force needed. 
 The action of the rod should do all that is wanted without using force. 
 
 The rod and line with the mark X in No. 2, show the usual position 
 of the tackle at the beginning of the thrash-down. But sometimes the 
 fly has to strike the water further up-stream than the spot thus marked ; 
 still, in either case, the practised hand can instantly tell whether or no 
 the fly has taken a right and proper course. 
 
 In describing the down-cast or thrash-down, any increased power 
 needed is dictated to the Angler by the length of line about to be used. 
 He will, if necessary, gradually augment the pressure at the butt of the 
 rod, mostly with the upper hand. The force generated in and emanating 
 from the centre at the butt where the strength is applied, serves either to 
 drive the line along the water or propel it in the air, and exhausts itself 
 while the fly is alighting at its ultimate destination (see 'Illustration, 
 No. 3). Thus may we discover some few points of similarity between the 
 Highland style and the ordinary " Overhand." 
 
 Strictly speaking, no method of casting takes so long to acquire in 
 the general way as this one ; but things laboriously learnt at first soon 
 come to be done without the feeling of effort. It is true that once in my 
 experience I have seen the cast learnt in thirty-five minutes ; half an 
 hour of which was occupied in listening to verbal instructions and in 
 putting questions and pondering over answers. The fact is, a man must 
 think for himself. He must put two and two together, and with our 
 
THE WIND CAST. 349 
 
 Illustrations before him, let him reason. Let him in his independent 
 spirit of inquiry penetrate deeply into ultimate causes and find out 
 mentally why This or That is so. Then let him come with his rod and 
 put into practice the theories he has set up for himself by correctly 
 following this book and not hastily tire in the undertaking. It would 
 indeed be useless for a man to go to work with a feeble, irregular, 
 vacillating idea of the system and expect the attainment of excellence 
 off-hand. 
 
 The reader is by now sufficiently at home with various systems of 
 casting to have formed for himself one particular conclusion, as most 
 Fishermen would. What is this one particular conclusion? 
 
 That the achievement of any individual cast is an art, and from the 
 very nature of it, the achievement of the much-coveted " Spey," the 
 highest art of all -is an art endowed with an irresistible fascination 
 peculiar to itself and so enjoyable that I may leave it without further 
 comment. But in truth, the " Spey " is to fishing what words are to 
 thoughts, for without it certain waters cannot be commanded, and with- 
 out words certain thoughts cannot be expressed. To sum up. What is 
 the chief end of the system ? 
 
 The " Spey " system's chief end may be briefly put thus : That men 
 who are practically conversant with all the circumstances which render 
 the cast necessary, and with all the various ways of making it, are so far 
 removed from the struggling rank and file, as to frequently meet with the 
 highest success on pools which, to others, are positively unfishable. 
 
 THE WIND CAST. 
 
 In all sport the great secret is to know beforehand what one really 
 wants to accomplish, and then look sharp in making the most of one's 
 time, place, and opportunity. Time and tide wait for no man. Neither 
 will a nice porter-coloured water, when the bailiff draws a long face and 
 says : 
 
 " Oh, lud, lud, this wind ! or she'd no fush that bad the morn, sir." 
 And here it is indispensable for the man who has the laudable 
 intention of distancing friendly (or unfriendly) competitors, to bear in 
 mind that certain ideas plausible fallacies, I call them which have 
 
350 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 become rooted in the popular mind, may yet be pregnant with disastrous 
 consequences in practice. 
 
 I say, " to know beforehand," for the simple reason that, after much 
 experience of " shy " waters, I find that changing front in face of the 
 enemy is a most difficult operation to carry out, whilst there is some 
 little chagrin in the mere fact of altering one's plan of campaign. 
 Naturally this of itself would be inimical to all pleasure for the time 
 being, for no Angler likes to feel that he has not been prepared to 
 immediately make the most of his opportunities. 
 
 Old-time practices, once of daily occurrence, come vividly crowding 
 back on one's memory. Take, as an example, the way of fishing in a gale 
 of wind in by-gone days when there was a total absence of all principle, 
 and compare it with the present style of making a cast against the wind. 
 To fancy the " Overhand " the right and proper method, is a fallacy 
 indeed, and yet it was once the fashion. I remember following it myself 
 through the years of my calidajuventtts. I used to pursue the work with 
 vigour and enjoyed it to my heart's content in spite of defeat again and 
 again. The mere gratification of having a rod in my hand and trying all 
 I knew, was enough. No matter how the fly fished or whether it received 
 an " acknowledgment," so long as I covered a Salmon, say within fifteen 
 or sixteen yards, I was satisfied. Naturally in those days, if the fish 
 refused, I fancied the game was up and my chance gone ! It is true I had 
 scarcely begun to inquire into the subject of "presentation," its motives 
 and effects, and remained for long uncertain of its advantages. And my 
 want of success deluded me into the mistaken notion that fishing in strong 
 wind was impracticable. 
 
 But at length the Overhand practice became too dull and dreary, and 
 as I grew too keen to sacrifice fishing for fun, and acquired the conviction 
 that, in a hurricane, the " Overhand " was alike a restriction and a fallacy, 
 I weaned myself from delusion and set about devising a better and surer 
 means of commanding the water. I investigated these matters some five 
 and twenty years ago, and finally grasped the principle which, without 
 more ado, we may well proceed to examine and analyse. 
 
 In my opinion the " Wind Cast " (as I determined to call it) is of 
 rnmense value on its day. No doubt the practical demonstration of the 
 
351 
 
 
 ME. HENRY J. DAVIS. 
 
352 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 method is a bold undertaking, and demands a ready ability on the part of 
 those who would become proficient in it. . Capricious incidents render the 
 work always difficult and sometimes impossible, as no one will be found 
 to deny. And yet, considering all things, perhaps it calls for more close 
 attention than for extraordinary skill. I noticed this particularly a few 
 years since on the Upper Wye, where I was much struck by the skill 
 displayed by quite a young Angler. 
 
 The great and indeed the only objection that I have seen brought 
 forward against the Wind Cast may be summed up in one brief 
 statement : The experiment is costly. It is said to favour the tradesman 
 more than the Fisherman. Rods will break but. may not this be 
 attributed to the fault of the wood, to personal inexperience, or more 
 probably to the sudden vacillations of the wind, which, by-the-bye, 
 beginners are apt to forget. There are rods and rods. '-Some crooked 
 grained ones break at little provocation ; others cleaved from' the plank 
 like my own stand the roughest usage. It certainly is " rough on a rod " 
 to hurriedly lift a buried line, as examination of the method will soon 
 show. It certainly is still more rough on a rod to undergo excessive 
 pressure in the .thrash-down, particularly when its action is not steadied 
 by the counter influence of the tug of the line. And this, unfortunately, 
 is of no uncommon experience. But where should we be unless the line 
 were lifted quick as thought (if I may adopt the expression) ; or again, in 
 the absence of that indispensable pressure needed to procure sufficient action 
 of the butt. 
 
 I have seen novices, irritated to a degree, break rod after rod simply 
 because they forget these facts. But I always notice that close attention 
 and a constant repetition of melancholy failures is, at any rate, a means 
 of fixing them indelibly in their memories. Old Fuller says, that to try 
 and remember a forgotten condition, a man should scratch his head. 
 Another literary authority writes : 
 
 " No wonder that our memories are bad, 
 We neither bite our rails nor scratch our head." 
 
 But would not these morbid expedients be waste of an Angler's time ? 
 All we can do is, to keep our wits about us, for, whatever may happen, 
 
THE WIND CAST. 353 
 
 the cast has to be made ; and that too, in the midst of latent dangers and 
 probable interruptions. We know full well how the rod smarts under 
 the loss of the tug. We feel the tug's restraining influence ; we feel that 
 it creates, that it constitutes an instrumental, nay, an essential element 
 and we thoroughly understand that, even with the utmost practice and 
 attention, the chance of sustaining that needful counter influence, is wrapt 
 up in doubt and uncertainty. That's just it just the very detail too, in 
 which our memory must not fail us. 
 
 For the intensity of the wind the expert cares nothing, so long as it 
 does not play tricks by fits and starts ; when it does this, thoroughly 
 reliable work is impossible. 
 
 But now let us consider how to excel in an undertaking frequently 
 deemed impossible, even when the wind is not specially unrestful. In 
 spite of all drawbacks, we find six points for success against half a dozen 
 for failure. The chances therefore are equal, and this is somewhat 
 encouraging. 
 
 The next encouraging fact is, that although the wind blows so strongly 
 as to try one's strength to stand steadily, a fish lying from five and twenty 
 to thirty yards away may be covered. Nay, more, the fly can be 
 presented so straight and well, as to yet further astound the uninitiated. 
 Hence the superlative value of this cast. 
 
 To clear the way to a methodical illustration of the principle of it, let 
 us touch on one or two specific conditions, which must be neither over- 
 looked nor under-estimated. 
 
 First, the direction of the wind. It is only when the wind comes 
 pretty much from the destined direction of the fly that the cast can be 
 made in any degree of perfection. Secondly, it is impossible to excel in 
 the undertaking with a light line, or a rod with a stiff butt. A heavy line 
 is indispensable ; not only for making the rod " bend double " in raising 
 it into position, but also for cutting through the wind in obedience to the 
 thrash-down. This point cannot be too strongly emphasised. 
 
 In this particular method our object, to begin with, is to lift the line 
 no further than overhead, in such a manner that it represents to a man 
 located on the opposite bank, a regular letter S in the air. To baffle an 
 opposing wind of considerable force and speed, requires the employment 
 
 A A 
 

 THE WIND CAST. 
 
THE WIND CAST. 855 
 
 of considerable power, both of rod and Angler, in lifting the line properly. 
 A peep at the dotted line in the Illustration reveals the action of the rod 
 while forcing the line into that one position from which alone it can 
 possibly be controlled and propelled. 
 
 Provided the student refrains from working in swirly waters, and 
 provided he uses suitable tackle and is not baulked by the sudden changes 
 of wind when the line is in the air, this first part of the operation depends 
 for its success upon strong arm power combined with a certain action of 
 the wrist. The arm power, though inevitably considerable (far exceeding 
 that needed in ordinary casts) is not suddenly exercised, for the line must 
 not be snatched from the water. The rod is brought " straight up," as 
 we say, the point neither leaning outwards nor inwards ; and perhaps an 
 idea of the necessary wrist action may be best conveyed to the mind of the 
 novice by inspection of the accompanying Figure. The method of lifting 
 
 TO ILLUSTRATE WRIST ACTION. 
 
 the line very soon commends itself, and then the impulse to diligently 
 obey the rod is too strong to be resisted. The motion of the rod is 
 continuous, and is not checked until the finish. By bringing the upper 
 hand in the track represented, the student can well imagine that the 
 wisdom of using excessive pressure is justified and more than justified by 
 the result attained. 
 
 I would, however, remind him that, when unimpeded in its ai ; rial 
 
 A A 2 
 
356 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 course by the sudden fall or blast of wind, the line is easily propelled by 
 butt action. 
 
 It is not easy for the untrained eye to actually see what is being done 
 or what has taken place, though the educated eye and touch of the 
 seasoned veteran enable him to immediately form a definite opinion for 
 himself. If in lifting the line, the student is uncertain, what then ? If 
 a wise man, he will cease, let the whole thing " slide " and begin again ; 
 for he should be alive to the fact that, having lost the "tug" the 
 thrash-down would ruin the rod for good and all. And so the decrees 
 of Fate are accepted with a resignation becoming an instructed 
 sportsman. 
 
 How often on these occasions have I witnessed a little sympathy 
 shown in a few encouraging words uttered in the presence of beginners, 
 and observed the immediate effect ! In fact, nothing is more odious to 
 me than meeting with that indifferent individual, so wrapped up in himself 
 and his own affairs, as to prevent his being moved with either the failure 
 or the success of others. It is hardly within the power of novices to 
 quickly discover or dodge these difficulties by the aid of the eye, or by 
 the sense of touch, the very force and fickleness of the wind tend so much 
 to deception. 
 
 Now we come to the thrash-down. 
 
 This terrible " stroke," easier to demonstrate than describe in a cold 
 written page, differs considerably from that in other casts; yet it has 
 intrinsic merits and is entirely orthodox in principle. In point of fact, 
 the line is made to cut through the air, not by merely checking the rod 
 in the usual way, but indeed by absolutely nipping it at the butt, so as 
 to arrest its course instanter. Now this "nipping" is a rather difficult 
 and precarious experiment for the novice. I have heard old people say : 
 " It is so easy," and tantalise one by winding up with, " but you've got to 
 know it first." 
 
 In all cases our nerves brace themselves up to an effort or they do not. 
 The Wind Cast is not beset with grievous complications to the nervous 
 system, yet " nipping the rod " properly, is in a great measure dependent 
 on good nerves ; and nipping in this cast is a feature of the first 
 importance, The enormous upward strain of the rod in raising the line 
 
THE WIND CAST. 357 
 
 results in a corresponding downward strain set up voluntarily ; or, in 
 other words, the rod bends back so far that, in propelling the line, its 
 action reduces the strain on the muscles of the Angler. 
 
 And what is the meaning of " nipping " ? It means checking with a 
 vengeance. Nipping expresses that almost indescribable action of checking 
 the rod violently, which is often but very inadequately expressed by the 
 unbearable word " jerking." 
 
 For the behoof of novices I feel obliged to travel over old paths once 
 again ; and let it be understood at the onset that the words " tug " and 
 "counter-influence " are synonymous terms. 
 
 Now it is a fact that the full power of the tug's real influence can be, 
 and is, engendered in the lifting of the line. It, of course, varies according 
 to the degree of strength used. The tug is less felt in the " Overhand " 
 than in the " Underhand," because the strength used is greater. In any 
 ordinary cast the Angler feels the tug, and delights in it when making the 
 " thrash-down " at the right moment, though, if too late, he feels nothing 
 of it at all. Lose any of this influence and the loss, in most cases, is 
 detected at once ; but not in the Wind Cast at any time, or, at all events 
 until too late. 
 
 So entirely does the issue in the Wind Cast depend upon this counter 
 influence that, were it dissevered or dispelled, the most dexterous man 
 alive could not possibly get the line out. But above all it must be repeated 
 that any such disseveratioii brings in its wake a far more serious trouble ; 
 for that nip without that identical tug, and the rod is doomed to all intents 
 and purposes. 
 
 For all its difficulties the judicious beginner will not hurriedly 
 condemn the Wind Cast, nor hesitate to try to master the method. 
 For me, many fond memories surround it, and I believe it destined 
 to the honour of circumventing fish, when all other known methods are 
 impracticable. 
 
 The cast is, in short, a triumph of ingenuity and skill and high-spirited 
 endeavour following the dictates of much thought and consideration. 
 And, judging from what I have myself seen hastily done by novices, I 
 would say, " search slowly into it ; for, as experience teaches, those who 
 are quick in searching, seldom search to the quick. 
 
358 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 THE GOVERNOR CAST. 
 
 Once upon a time not so many years ago either on returning 
 home after a hard day's fishing in the rain with an old attendant named 
 Ewan, who at different times in his chequered career had served me as 
 valet, groom, gillie, and factotum generally, we came suddenly upon the 
 whole posse comitatus attached to the hotel, which happened to be, for 
 the time being, my headquarters in the North. There was " long Sandy," 
 than whom no Scotchman e'er cast a much longer line, or tied a more 
 killing " flee " ; and Eobin, who seemed by instinct to know the " lie " of 
 every running " fush " ; and Jamie the untiring, who'se muscles were 
 of steel, and for whom no day was too long or "bag " too heavy ; besides 
 a few others, whom to name were needless. The sudden appearance on 
 the scene of my trusty henchman with a frail on his back that evidently 
 contained something weighty, instantly took these worthies by surprise. 
 Knowing themselves the hopeless state of the water, it roused their 
 curiosity to the highest pitch. Eobin first opened the ball with : 
 
 " An' hoo mony heads hae ye gotten the day, my braw laddie, for I 
 see twa tails whatiffer '? " 
 
 The rougher element had already thrown out some noisy misgivings 
 amongst themselves and were now shouting impromptu verses on the 
 " common or garden " fly. 
 
 " Order ! " cried Ewan. 
 
 " Order anything you like in the way of whisky or baccy, no worm- 
 ing for us," rang through the air. 
 
 " If Ewan is to tell you he must have silence," I remarked ; when 
 Eobin, with a knowing wink at the others, repeated his query as to how 
 many heads, etc. 
 
 " ' Hoo mony heads ? ' Hoot awa ! De'il tak ye, there's as mony 
 heads as tails, and, ye daft creeture, it wad hae been a lesson to ye had 
 ye bin there wi' us the day," answered Ewan, as I thought rather 
 impatiently. 
 
 " 'Deed then, an' that's no altegither improbable," drawled out 
 Eobin in a tone of more than usual solemnity. 
 
 " Weel, but," continued Ewan, " I tell ye it is sae ; it's nae man in 
 
THE GOVERNOE CAST. 359 
 
 these parts but the Maister that kens how to fush siccan pool as ' Pol-o- 
 dour ' ava." 
 
 And with a few more disparaging remarks of a similar character, 
 Ewan took himself off indoors to get rid of his burden of course, at the 
 bar. 
 
 " Pol-o-dour," I may here state is the local name of a certain deep 
 pool on a river, the name of which I withhold for various reasons. It has 
 the peculiarity about it that the catches are fishable only when the river 
 is at its very lowest. As a matter of fact, the place never comes into 
 ply until the rest of the " Casts " look as ludicrously small from want of 
 water as the local men look from want of sport. All the fish in the 
 immediate neighbourhood make for the pool and congregate there by the 
 dozen, but the Fishermen never could command it. The pool itself is 
 long, still, and broad perhaps seventy yards in width and very " dour." 
 It is fished from one bank only, high, over-hanging rocks fringing the 
 opposite side. However, in the course of a few minutes Ewan returned 
 to the front of the house where the others were sitting, and the conversa- 
 tion was resumed. In the meantime he had tossed off a " caulker " of 
 whisky at my request, for he was wet to the very bone, and was now 
 disposed to be still more communicative. 
 
 " Hech, sirs," he began, addressing his audience generally, while I 
 sat finishing a cigar after getting rid of my waders and the " wee 
 drappie" left in the flask, " it wad hae done ye hearts gude to hae 
 daunered alang the banks wi' me the day and seen the maister bang oot 
 the flee, rnair by token that ye wad then ha' been able to joodge o' his 
 seestem." 
 
 " ' Seestum ' that's a deectionary word, and what maun that be like," 
 asked Sandy, jumping on tip toe. 
 
 " Whist, mon, he joost has a plan o' his ain, and covers ' Pol-o-dour ' 
 frae the top to the bottom o't." 
 
 " Ye'll no mak me believe that Ewan, it's na' in the power o' no 
 f usher whatiffer," 
 
 " ' Deed ay, but I will, Sandy, an' if ye'll come wi' me in the morn, 
 I'll be bound the maister will be right pleased to show ye the seestem 
 his ain sel." 
 
360 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 Then I ordered more " caulkers " upon the festive scene. The con- 
 versation shortly glided into other channels, and, among other songs which 
 were most entertaining, " The lass o' ' Gowrie ' " was befittingly rendered 
 by one of these honest souls. 
 
 The " Governor " is a singular cast, sound in principle, though quaint 
 in its inception. In practice it works admirably. Without it I, at least, 
 know no other way to reach fish lying fifty yards or more across stream, 
 and for no other purpose did I originally intend it. The cast is withal 
 simplicity itself. A mop handle, five feet in length (shod) is pushed into 
 the ground and remains fixed at its back merely by string attached to two 
 tent pegs. A small staple has been previously hammered in at the top, 
 through which an elastic band is adjusted. The fly must not penetrate 
 the elastic itself ; the hook should merely hang through the ring. All 
 the Angler has to do then is to walk right away to the riverside in the 
 line of the cast, letting the winch "run" as he goes, until he has 
 sufficient casting line out to cover the distance required. Of course 
 he will have previously made himself acquainted with the particular 
 catch he desires to command, and have taken precautions as to measure- 
 ment and direction, by shifting the apparatus beforehand. By this 
 simple yet judicious method, any novice lady or gentleman can get 
 out a tremendous line, without any previous knowledge, in half a dozen 
 trials. 
 
 When an extra long cast is wanted I invariably use a line which 
 has been spiced for the purpose, for it is a drawback to have any length of 
 thin back-line at the point of the rod. 
 
 The next step is to make the " thrash-down." This breaks the elastic 
 baud, releases the fly, and away it goes. But it is necessary to bear in 
 mind that the rod must always be dropped back, as shown in the drawing, 
 so that the line almost touches the ground when the operation is about 
 to be performed. The more the rod is checked at the finish, the greater 
 is the line under command. 
 
 If the first cast does not raise the fish, all you have to do is to wind 
 up, walk back to the mopstick with the fly in your hand, put on another 
 band the band is partly pushed through the staple and looped through 
 itself and muttering to yourself "better luck next time," at it you go 
 
P3 
 O 
 
362 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 again. It is really astonishing how many fish in the course of a season 
 can be picked up in this way on certain stretches hitherto deemed quite 
 inaccessible to rod-fishers. I know this by my own personal experience ; 
 and therefore in future it will be the sportman's own fault if with the 
 aid of the " Governor " cast he does not cover fish absolutely out of 
 reach by any other method as often as the necessity and the opportunity 
 may arise. 
 
 The little party of quidnuncs soon afterwards broke up. Old Robin 
 led the way apparently engaged in prayer. He had been the most 
 attentive listener of them all whilst I was expounding the above precepts, 
 and now he was "snooving" off, "his lyart haffetS wearing thin and 
 bare," muttering to himself something about "the principle o' the thing 
 having been in his head for years, and was quite the idol of his adoration," 
 whatever that may happen to mean. 
 
 Of course, this cast will be found available only in a clear space and 
 not in one bordered by trees or bushes. The fly placed inside the band 
 when freed flies through the air like a stone from a sling, and alights at 
 the farthest point the line can take it. The only element of uncertainty 
 to be found at all, is the strength of the bands in use. Bands breaking 
 on a steel yard at a pull of nearly 5 Ibs. are required for very long casts. 
 But so recently as the commencement of the Angling season of 1893, in a 
 series of experiments carried out on the river Beauly, I made two casts, 
 measuring fifty-two and fifty-three yards respectively, with bands pulling 
 from 3| to 4 Ibs. apiece ; and was present at some other trials on the 
 Tay when I saw fifty-seven yards covered again and again by Mr. Barclay 
 Field. 
 
 Singularly enough the method has not proved attractive to the 
 angling public in any marked degree, though it was personally introduced 
 to public notice first in the year of the great Exhibition of 1851, and 
 afterwards illustrated and described in the Fishing Gazette of 1884. 
 
 THE SWITCH CAST. 
 
 I shall not attempt any laboured enconiums on an authority I 
 might almost say the one authority of his day nor endeavour to 
 summarise his time-honoured principle of switching ; for, just as the 
 
MR. BARCLAY FIELD. 
 
364 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 future obliterates the past, many of these so-called settled rules of action 
 die out or vary in course of time. He himself, poor fellow, has long 
 since ceased to fish and to live ! But a letter in his handwriting, now 
 lying before me, would have us believe that " the theory of a cast is a 
 science, the practice of it an art." 
 
 My informant, whose name and rank I am compelled to withhold, 
 laid down the grand principle, that the method of the Switch being too 
 rigidly inelastic for general purposes, remained for years undeveloped on 
 its strongest side. 
 
 These judicious opinions call up ideas more enlarged than the mere 
 sound of words at first convey, for on attentive examination of the Switch 
 Cast, one will easily see how incomplete it is without the "Peter," 
 which, though young, was not discovered yesterday. 
 
 Modern Anglers would hardly credit the countless improvements in 
 ways and means of casting which have only recently been more or less 
 adopted ; but it would be interesting indeed were we able to trace the 
 progress of each art through its stages from the classic days of Walton 
 right up to the commanding position it occupies at the present time. 
 
 In the case of the "Overhand," what do we find? As practised 
 from a time (which may be called immemorial since no one can fix a date 
 " to the contrary ") the system of throwing with a light line and fine- 
 pointed rod -scarcely lingers in the Angling mind now ; indeed, the 
 old-fashioned method is almost forgotten. With other appliances the 
 " Overhand " still holds its ground. 
 
 But doubtful as the policy of the " Switch " was, save on an emer- 
 gency, no one can say that the scientific founder of it did not trust to 
 reason, nor that the wise reformers of the method trusted only to 
 imagination. No discovery of a system of casting is made without some 
 previous conjectural effort of the mind, nor is any amendment in principle 
 inculcated without some exertion of the reasoning faculties. Practical 
 experiment should do the rest. No doubt that in the case of the 
 " Switch " the one chief object was the discovery of truth, and this has, 
 in my opinion, been undoubtedly attained. 
 
 Say what we can of the " Switch," the cast will never hold its own 
 in a race with the " Spey." The " Spey " would give the " Switch " a 
 
THE " PETER " AND " SWITCH." 365 
 
 beating ; that is to say, as far as the matter of distance is concerned, the 
 former would cut out the latter in competition by at least twenty-four 
 feet without being extended. 
 
 The great advantage which this old-fashioned cast has over the 
 " Spey " and all others is particularly its own, and counterbalances all its 
 failings in those places where the " Switch " only is suitable when trees, 
 shrubs, or other immediate obstructions handicap the different, and more 
 water-covering modes of propelling a fly. 
 
 The "Peter" is an intermediate and auxiliary movement of the rod 
 in aid of the final effort to get out the line. 
 
 To properly explain the method of the " Peter" and " Switch " com- 
 bined, the student should understand that the former is a dodge or scheme 
 resorted to only in connection with the latter, with which alone it is 
 associated. The Peter was simply born for the cast and united to it long 
 ago. It is, moreover, a commanding feature of the cast, which, in its 
 absence, is at times absolutely unpracticable. 
 
 The " Peter " has developed the " Switch " to such a degree that the 
 cast may be fairly ranked among the favourite formulas of the day. And 
 although the performance is said to be somewhat difficult to master, the 
 merest tyro will, if he persevere, soon be gratified by the progress made 
 and quite convinced of the value of it. 
 
 How then is the cast to be made by the Angler (fishing right-handed) 
 whose line is extended down-stream ? 
 
 The brief instructions for making the Switch, with the Peter in one 
 continuous action, are : 
 
 (1) " Elevate the rod steadily but with a rather increasing movement : 
 (2) now twitch the point of the rod forward (Fig. 1) by a smart, short 
 action of the upper wrist, from right, overhead, to left, to form a narrow 
 oval : and (3) finish with the thrash-down." 
 
 By No. 1, the line will be drawn to the surface and belly towards you. 
 No. 2 (the " Peter ") causes the line to bow. in an opposite direction. (See 
 dotted line Plate 1.) The "narrow oval " is completed by a bold sweep 
 of the rod taken round to the right. (3) Is effected vigorously and 
 additional impetus is given to the line by forcing the arms forward during 
 the thrash-down to their full extent. On reaching an angle of 45 degrees 
 
.<<'.-'- - "\ ' ~ 
 
 THE SWITCH CAST (Illustration 1). 
 
368 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 the rod is checked by a firm grasp (Illustration 2), when the line is left to 
 work its own success or failure. 
 
 With these instructions before him the reader will probably recognize 
 that the object of the "Peter" is to clear the near portion of the 
 line from the destructive influence of eddying waters, and to compel the 
 line to tug the point of the rod in order to regulate its action, keep 
 its point within bounds, and render -the thrash-down practicable and 
 efficient. 
 
 (The situations in which the " Switch " is necessary are few. They 
 are when neither the rod nor the line can be extended for more than eight 
 or ten feet in the rear of the Angler.) 
 
 In proportion to the effect of the "Peter," the calculation is made of 
 the force wanted for the thrash-down. 
 
 Now and then, for instance, the current, by flowing in all manner of 
 ways, causes the line to lie on the surface in a zig-zag form, whereby it is 
 rendered uncontrollable. In such a case the "Peter" is simple and 
 immediately successful, and the thrash-down is effected in the usual 
 manner of the cast. But where we encounter a sharp eddy, swirling 
 under the rod, outwards, a satisfactory result is not so readily attained, 
 or, at all events, without a much more forceful "Peter" than in the 
 former case. Even then, unless effected in time, only a portion of 
 the disarranged line, which the eddy has seized, may be cleared from 
 the mischief, and in that case the force needed for the thrash-down 
 must be increased accordingly. If the still greater mischief should 
 arise from a swirl that dashes the line inwards, the modus operandi 
 changes. 
 
 Take by way of illustration, a man fishing right-handed. The line 
 having been thus hustled towards the bank, the Angler shifts the rod 
 like lightning into the left hand, hurries the "Peter," and, without 
 further change or perceptive cause, completes the whole business, then 
 and there. 
 
 What I very much want to point out in Petering is the one risk the 
 inexperienced run. In all cases, the greatest care must be taken lest 
 too much of the back portion of the running line be removed from the 
 .surface, or the second state will be worse than the first. The line has to 
 
369 
 
 HOX. SIR FORD NORTH. 
 
 B B 
 
370 THE SALMON FLY. - 
 
 be cleared from swirling eddies, that is certain ; but it is on -these very 
 occasions that the rod is liable to act upon it in a most prejudicial way ; 
 for the instant the line gets clear, the deplorable mischief of undue power, 
 so frequently used in the experiment, reveals itself and absolutely arrests 
 all further progress. To those who thoroughly understand switching, the 
 force of this argument is obviously manifest. 
 
 But as against this argument the more one makes the line bow from 
 him in Petering the greater will be the tug on the rod, which fact 
 is sufficient of itself to ensure the thrash-down always proving effective. 
 The secret is not to allow the butt to assist in the Peter at all. The work 
 must be executed by the point of the rod, the action of which is brought 
 out not so much by the strength of the arms as by a free use of 
 trained and flexible wrists. Indeed, it must be distinctly understood 
 that any muscular exertion would mar the experiment and defeat the 
 object in view. 
 
 I have a few words to say in hope of removing a slight prejudice with 
 respect to the cast, and making it more available for free use than in 
 times gone by. 
 
 Common opinion declares the "Switch" to be good only for false 
 casting, but with the " Peter " it presents, in my estimation, much ground 
 for thoughtful consideration. I would add, for the instruction of the 
 uninitiated, that the "Peter" is unnecessary in streams or other straight 
 running waters, and that the measure of its success largely depends on 
 the varying circumstances under which it is employed. And it would 
 appear to me that the student should view at all times, with perfect 
 coolness and accuracy, the various circumstances of the situation, so that 
 each of them may produce its due impression on him without any 
 exaggeration arising from nervousness or lack of experience. The 
 influences surrounding this cast are self-registering, and unconsciously 
 write their story in all its fulness on the mind of the student who, watching 
 a clever performer, sees the combination of all its elements at once. 
 Clear vision is, however, a sine qua non. 
 
 Some slight inconvenience may possibly arise from a too rigid 
 obedience to our preliminary instruction. If in elevating the rod steadily 
 at first the line does not "come freely" the process of "fiddling," as 
 
THE FLIP CAST. 371 
 
 previously described, must be consistently adopted. You may, however, 
 rest assured that the remedy will not be required often, provided the 
 interval between each cast be not unduly prolonged. 
 
 Coming now to explain the thrash-down, as shown in Illustration 
 2, the method differs but slightly from that employed under ordinary 
 circumstances. The process from gradual becomes rapid, and looks like 
 developing what the meteorologists are accustomed to describe as "dan- 
 gerous energy." It would be perhaps safer for the novice if he made a 
 sharp thrash-through, and not attempt to check the rod at the usual 
 angle of 45 degrees. But all fear of the rod is soon reduced to a 
 minimum, save perhaps in the case of too much force being used on 
 those occasions when the wind counteracts the effect of the Peter by 
 blowing the line out of gear. 
 
 One of the commonest errors may frequently be traced to the inherent 
 desire to bring the rod, in the " back sweep," further than at an angle of 
 45 degrees any such propensity should be strenuously avoided. And, 
 moreover, I would strongly caution the Angler in accepting all hurried 
 instruction that would induce him to bring the rod round by his side too 
 low. The loss of the tug of the line might lead him to do so ; but, in my 
 opinion, following such advice as that is wrong in any case, though it 
 requires no little courage to say so. 
 
 The thrash of the rod, when executed as described, forms a sort of 
 loop in the line (see Fig. 2) , which seems to rush along the surface of the 
 water until at last the fly drops over and alights at its proper destination. 
 
 THE FLIP CAST. 
 
 The Flip proper is a sort of side cast side flip, in fact which the 
 practised Angler can learn in a day. 
 
 I say a sort of side cast, though it in no way resembles the Side Cast 
 as practised on the Shannon and elsewhere. The Irish claim to be masters 
 of that method, and there is no doubt that their tackle is eminently 
 adapted to the purpose. For making the Side Cast no rod quite equals 
 the Castle Connell, but I am inclined to the belief that, apart from the 
 clever way in which our neighbours are accustomed to use it, their system, 
 when adopted by us, is more for the sake of a change than for a necessity. 
 
 u H 2 
 
372 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 To extend and propel the line in the air as they do by moving the rod in 
 a horizontal position from first to last is less tiring than the Overhand, 
 which, with this Irish rod, is more difficult and less effectual. I have not 
 deemed it necessary to illustrate and describe the Side Cast, but I wish to 
 record the fact that by employing it a very long line can be controlled 
 even with our own style of rod. Also that the cast is by no means to be 
 despised under boughs and such places where space will admit of it. 
 
 The " Flip " has two variations which assume the names of the 
 overhand and underhand flip respectively. The overhand flip requires a 
 certain amount of room overhead in front of the Angler, and often comes 
 into use where willows weep over the water with sufficient height between 
 the water and the branch from which the weepers hang, and sufficient 
 room between the weepers themselves. The underhand flip is adopted 
 when the space just mentioned is limited. Although some men fish for 
 years and think nothing of either of these variations, yet they will in 
 many instances be found his only salvation. Indeed, by no other method 
 than the Flip can certain catches be commanded. 
 
 The Flip Cast is generally said to be the easiest of all to master. I 
 have heard it extolled to the skies and condemned to the lower regions in 
 language strong, if original. I have also heard it said that the easiest 
 methods of Salmon-fishing, like the happiest women, have no history ; at 
 all events, to the Flip I owe some of my greatest summer successes. 
 Surely it is just as necessary to master one system as another, else we are 
 comparatively helpless when some unusual condition for action arises. 
 Shakespeare tells us that there is a tide in the affairs of men which, taken 
 at the flood, leads on to fortune. We must, however, " take the current 
 when it serves, or lose our ventures" ; and an Angler will look very foolish 
 if, by neglecting to learn the Flip, he has to pass by a shaded spot holding 
 plenty of fish which cannot be covered by any other means. The usual 
 place for flipping is under trees whose lower branches have been levelled 
 off and cleared away by flood water. The rushing torrent, together with 
 the debris it carries, so levels overhanging branches and twigs as to 
 make them appear like the under parts of trees which, in parks, have been 
 reduced to an equal condition by cattle. 
 
 Though easy to learn, the Flip is not so easily described. Affairs in 
 
373 
 
 MR. F. M. MACKENZIE. 
 
874 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 general, simple enough in themselves, are often the least capable of 
 definition in terms simple or abstruse. But I am content to leave the 
 student with the few following details. 
 
 When flipping left-handed the rod is to be held in the right hand. 
 The Angler gets into the water with his fly hitched as usual to the bar of 
 the winch. As soon as he has taken up his position he proceeds to draw 
 forth a few yards of line, which he coils and holds between the finger and 
 thumb of the hand working the rod. Pointing the rod a little down- 
 stream and holding the butt firmly against his hip, with the winch facing 
 sometimes one way and sometimes another for the sake of the action of 
 the rod, he unhitches the fly, shortens the line a trffle by pulling it in, 
 makes the rod bend all he can by fully extending the left arm and hand 
 in which the fly is held, and suddenly lets go, allowing the coils to depart 
 in the manoeuvre. 
 
 The instant the fly is freed additional propelling power is given to the 
 line by sharply swinging the rod to the point B and bringing it back into 
 position. This helps the action of the rod considerably. 
 
 As the reader may suppose, the line is previously shotted. About 14 
 or 15 inches from the fly three or four swan shot are fixed to the line, 
 above which, say, about 4 feet, another shot a little smaller in size is 
 attached. 
 
 To renew a cast in close quarters, wind in line, turn the rod up- 
 stream quite behind you, and the line can be easily reached and picked 
 up. 
 
 I have now completed, to the best of my power, these illustrations. 
 To say that I am absolutely satisfied of the exactness of every detail 
 would be to admit what I scarcely feel. The exact picture of the tackle 
 from the beginning to the end of any cast cannot possibly be obtained 
 until Mr. Edison has perfected his Kinetoscope for the continuous 
 photography of objects in motion. Then, and most likely not before, will 
 a series of pictures become in effect but one picture. I would neverthe- 
 less strongly urge the student of these seven different casts to note down 
 with accuracy all the circumstances of each particular case, for just as by 
 far the most valuable of the two educations man has is not that which is 
 given to him, but that which he give's to himself ; so, indeed, must the 
 
376 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 young Angler work out and resolve all these knotty points for himself. 
 The secret is, not to fall into wrong habits at the beginning, but to make 
 sure of every step taken, bearing in mind that most things to be learnt are 
 very simple, and that some books do their best to render them obscure. 
 
 We have had to travel over a lot of ground in our preliminary combat, 
 to smooth the way for safely manoeuvring in every nook and corner at the 
 riverside ; but our tussle with the " tug of the line " is over now, and 
 gives way for that other tug the veritable tug o' ivar. The foregoing 
 illustrations and descriptions will soon show the student how to cast, but 
 I now propose to show him how to fish ; and I shall endeavour to give 
 him some valuable hints connected with this branch of the subject. 
 
 In Salmon-fishing there are two principals the Salmon and the 
 Salmon-fisher. Their interests run counter to each other. The one is 
 fully equipped with deadly weapons in his hand ; the other with only a 
 good broad tail which is his sole resource to fight with, in defence of life 
 and liberty. The conflict sometimes is very hot, and, after all, the match 
 is not so particularly unequal. But in order to pilot the tyro to victory 
 he must be possessed of certain further information. He must first know 
 the " Catches," and then how to fish them. Let me explain that Salmon 
 are caught in Pools, Streams, Flats, and Eapids. The places they haunt 
 in these are called " catches "or " lay-byes." The catches vary in size 
 and consequently vary in regard to the number of Salmon they hold. On 
 one day twenty to thirty tenants may be found at home, on another day 
 none at all ; and this difference largely depends upon the time of year and 
 height of water. It comes to this then the stranger must ask, he must 
 court local opinion and advice, or he will most likely find himself at work, 
 as I myself have been, in barren waters. 
 
 Some pools in certain rivers are fishable at any height of water ; 
 whilst in others a slight rise or fall might spoil one's chance altogether. 
 I have, for instance, had good sport on the Lochy in twenty feet or more 
 of flood water, but only in the pools situated at the various bends of the 
 river. And even then a good deal depends upon the nature of the shallow 
 or fishing side. Slanting ground from there, covered with gravel or 
 boulders, generally turns out well in high water. As the waters rise so do 
 all the fish remaining in them come across from the deeps and take up 
 
THE PLACES TO FISH. 377 
 
 new stations on the shallow side. The catches are known to the ordinary 
 gillie in attendance. Where the river runs fairly straight, pools get out 
 of order, and, as I say, an inch, or even less, makes all the difference so 
 far as sport is concerned. 
 
 With regard to streams, it may be taken as a rule that rain soon puts 
 them out of order. Salmon rarely stay in them when the waters rise to a 
 certain height unless boulders large enough to form an eddy are imbedded 
 in the river. 
 
 Flats, on the other hand, call for closer inquiry. Although, in rising 
 water, fish invariably like to go ahead, they will occasionally drop back and 
 stay in the lower part of such reaches as these, till at length they are forced 
 by the torrent to make for shelter elsewhere. This propensity is especially 
 noticeable in a long straight piece of water, in the lower part of which, at 
 normal height, the current scarcely moves. 
 
 As to rapids, the Angler must bide his time. If the top part of a 
 rapid is in ply, even so little as half an inch rise will ruin every lay-bye in 
 it. But when fishable, rapids are by far the freest taking places, though 
 by no means the freest rising places ; at all events, they are the surest and 
 the easiest for the novice not wanting in nerve. I have seen men at first 
 almost frightened to death at the mere sight of a rough-and-tumble rapid. 
 The feeling soon passes away at least, if one may judge by the show of 
 daring that often follows a fit of nervousness, and confidence restored by 
 greater familiarity with purely imaginary dangers. 
 
 I have given a somewhat curtailed description of the above resorts by 
 way of preface to the more elaborate details which are to follow. The 
 student finds out exactly where the casts are, and should devote his 
 attention to those which happen to be best in order and best suited to his 
 capacity. It would be labour lost to persevere in any Catch where more 
 line is required than can be controlled where, in short, the fly can be 
 presented to the fish in a proper and alluring manner ; and this part of 
 the subject shall be dealt with presently. 
 
 Fishing is not what it was by any means ; and when you come to 
 look into the circumstances under which it is now conducted you would 
 not be surprised at the extreme care taken by our best men in casting 
 straight, in " mending " casts when necessary, in playing the fly, and in 
 
378 
 
 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 the easy, apparently indifferent and undesigning attitude which they 
 assume towards the fish. 
 
 Great as is the divergence of principle and method adopted in fishing 
 the various places just mentioned there is a singular resemblance in respect 
 of casting straight. The thing is this always endeavour to let the cast 
 be made so that the fly may be " fished " at once. When this can be 
 attained without " mending," you may be sure that your cast has been 
 made by a suitable method. The fly cannot fish at once by, say, the Spey 
 cast, when the line is propelled along the surface of the water, because, 
 by the time the fly alights, the current has carried down river the 
 middle part of the running line, and instead of the fly- fishing, it will be 
 drifting ruthlessly across stream headforemost. I strongly recommend 
 the employment of the " Overhand " wherever it can be made. 
 
 The word " stratowa, means not merely that the line itself shall be 
 pretty straight when laid down on the water, but also that the Angler 
 aims straightight 'rds such a point that the line shall reach the water at 
 
 N 
 
 a certain angle from him. As regards the scope of that angle people 
 differ. Some cast across the water, but I never do so if it can be avoided, 
 for the best of all reasons that, as a rule, I kill far more fish when, for 
 
DIRECTION TO CAST. 379 
 
 example, the fly falls S E from N W as shown in the diagram. (For 
 Salmon, it is sometimes necessary to break the rule, but never for Grilse.* 
 If, for instance, a fish is lying in the bottom part of a stream in summer- 
 time, or even beside the more rapid water on the far side nearer the neck, 
 at any time of year ; or, briefly, if you cannot work the fly sufficiently 
 fast, the rule does not apply.) 
 
 Speaking generally, as soon as the fly reaches the water at such an 
 angle, it will sink and fish immediately, by bringing the rod (horizon- 
 tally) a little more up-stream, and working it there. The stream instantly 
 tightens the line, if, by accident, there is any to tighten. Do not alter 
 the position of the rod ; but, keeping time with the pendulum of an 
 imaginary church clock, move the point of the rod (as with one beat of 
 it) some 18 inches towards S, and a little faster than the pace of the 
 stream, returning (as with the next beat) by a similar but slower move- 
 ment. Continue these backward and forward movements steadily and 
 regularly till the fly has crossed S, when the point of the rod should be 
 brought round with each beat towards S and past it, in order that the fly 
 shall fish on and reach the point midway between S and W. 
 
 If the water flows so slowly that the fly dwells too long in front of 
 the catch as it passes, assist the pace of it by bringing the point of the rod 
 round earlier with each movement. But on the other hand, if the water 
 runs so quickly that the fly is swept hurriedly across the catch, the rod held 
 still (facing eastward) or, maybe, that a very little playing of the fly will 
 suffice to put matters right. Bear in mind that the " Eagles," and other 
 flies with such long hackles as the Hen Pheasants and Herons (black, 
 grey, and cinnamon), are more alluring to the fish when not played at all. 
 
 The diagram should, I think, be sufficient guide for the student to 
 determine at what angle down-stream he should cast his fly. As regards 
 "mending" the cast, it may be unnecessary to enlarge upon what has 
 been said. Nor will I detain the reader by making further allusions to 
 the choice of flies than occasions demand as we proceed. 
 
 * Grilse fishing is not what it was. I remember Craven (Keeper to Lord Arbothnut) 
 holding a little croft beside the Bridge of Feuch some thirty years since. It was lie who 
 killed no fewer than fifty Grilse at the foot of the Falls ill one day. Dceside men know this 
 favourite spot of old. 
 
380 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 In fishing, the underlying principle for the Angler is to convince 
 himself what flies others have used unsuccessfully, and in what way they 
 have been fishing, i.e. where they stood, what method of casting they 
 adopted, how long they persevered under the conditions which, presum- 
 ably, remain unaltered, and, above all, whether by their untutored 
 demeanour in the water or out of it they were likely to scare the fish, and, 
 for the time bsing, put them " off " altogether. 
 
 In all these respects the Angler should choose the opposite tactics as 
 much as he can. If, for instance, small, light flies have been used with 
 short hackles, he should select a pattern larger, darker, and longer in the 
 hackle. But whatever may have been done in other respects, a pool that 
 has been long thrashed with gaudy patterns requires considerable rest, and 
 even then, a couple of casts over a fish is sufficient before passing on. In 
 passing on, or rather fishing on, see everything but look at nothing ; for 
 you will give yourself away if by your manner, you arouse the suspicions 
 of the fish. 
 
 Whatever be the general opinion it is certain to my mind that Salmon 
 have an instinctive dread of an inquisitive Fisherman. If he " behaves 
 himself" a man may catch a Salmon under the very point of his rod; I 
 have often done so, bsing fully alive to the fact that, as to " behaviour," 
 the susceptibility of the Salmon does not materially differ from other 
 creatures. Books and gulls, we know, will pick up warms out of the very 
 footsteps of the smock-frocked yeoman who trolls a song of the soil 
 between the handles of his plough. Shy mountain sheep take no notice 
 of the shepherd who warbles an old-world ditty along the hill-side ; nor 
 will the most spiteful thorough-bred be affrighted by the smith, who, 
 while singing at the forge lifts its leg on his leathered lap as a matter of 
 course. 
 
 Almost all that is necessary on the subject of a man's manner can be 
 said in a few words. 
 
 Stand easily and erect, do noi peep about, do not assume a defiant 
 demeanour, and move as naturally as though there were no fish in the 
 water. 
 
 Now let us first see how to fish "that pool there," whose shallow 
 waters at the neck, this early spring morning, ripple less and less as they 
 
THE PLACES TO FISH. 381 
 
 change their course ; now making towards that large deep eddy on the 
 far side, now increasing in velocity and forming certain little curls below 
 until the Angler is forced to wade or retire a veritable low water 
 catch, this ! 
 
 First, the question forces itself upon us, Where are the fish ? Well, 
 the gillie will decide this for you, as, sometimes they take up their places 
 at the neck of the ripple, sometimes at the near edge of the large eddy, and 
 at other times at the lower part of the pool altogether. But let us 
 consider how best we can proceed from the eddy downwards ; for the 
 streamy part at the neck will hold not one single fish until quite the 
 middle of the month of May, unless the weather has been abnormally 
 warm. 
 
 The chief object here is not to allow the fly, which must be cast well 
 into the eddy, to be dragged too quickly past the long narrow catch by the 
 force of the water upon the bellying line. (These catches are generally 
 long and always narrow, for the fish lie in the small space between the 
 stream and the eddy, which may be even twenty yards in length.) If the 
 fly comes too quickly, the rule of presentation is broken from the fact that 
 the fly travels head first past the fish. And yet, in this case, it is im- 
 possible to rigidly obey the rule, unless the length of line in use is so 
 limited that the Angler can work the fly at almost any pace he likes, by 
 holding the rod high in the air. Still, there is usually a way out of these 
 difficulties, and, maybe, the remedy is simply to " mend " the cast 
 immediately it is made. 
 
 It would be a very strange place if that remedy did not have the 
 desired effect all down the eddy and cause the fly to work before the fish 
 in true orthodox form. 
 
 When the first cast is completed and previous to making another, as 
 your gillie will tell you, walk one yard on, or, if the water is coloured much, 
 half a yard will do, and continue casting and " mending " as before. But 
 should you raise a Salmon and he should happen to come short, walk away, 
 change the fly for one a trifle smaller, or, if you like, cut out such feathers 
 as Jungle fowl or Summer Duck, and use the same one again. In about 
 four minutes make a couple of casts over the fish from where you stood 
 before, but not lower. Should this fail, select a fly a trifle smaller still 
 
382 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 and very different in colour and type. Two casts with each fly are 
 sufficient, provided the water is not discoloured. In giving the fourth trial 
 having rested the catch for ten minutes, put on a Grub, one or two sizes 
 larger, or the fly that first raised the fish. And before finally giving in, 
 try a fly in character with the river both in colour and make, three or four 
 sizes larger than any one previously presented. 
 
 If, however, you have an " interview " with a Salmon i.e., prick him, 
 it is not worth while trying again. Only once in my career have 
 I succeeded after an " interview," and then the fish had shifted its quarters. 
 A Salmon at the bottom of a pool on the Wester Elchies water had run 
 me foul, broken the line, and taken away fly and gut length. On resuming 
 operations at the head of the pool, I found to my astonishment after 
 gaffing a fish, the very fly in his mouth I had just lost below. Shortly 
 after this capture, on working my way down the pool again, I lost, for the 
 second time, the self-same fly in the same place and way as before. 
 
 How well I remember the joyous chaff of that eventful evening ! 
 
 But is there not very often a reason for merely pricking fish ? I 
 think so, and have many a time traced it to some fault of the fly. The 
 pattern, for instance, may be overdressed as regards the actual amount of 
 materials ; your conspicuous feathers, Jungle, Summer Duck and the like, 
 too large ; your long hackled fly too much played ; or your pattern too 
 lar^e, too gaudy, or altogether too fanciful. Under any such circum- 
 stances, it should be changed for something quieter in tone, smaller in 
 size, different perhaps in type, and not played at all. Eeverse the whole 
 process in fact. 
 
 After fishing the eddy you pass on to the catches below it ; the first 
 of which we will suppose is created by a boulder causing the current to 
 flow from it on both its exposed sides, and making the water " sail back " 
 in its immediate wake. This wake perhaps increases in width until the 
 waters join again. Salmon will not lie behind an obstruction of this sort, 
 but take up their quarters on either side just on the verge of the down- 
 ward current. 
 
 "Ah ! there he is, sir," says the gillie, betraying no emotion moving 
 not a muscle of his wiry frame. " See that ' heads and tails ' no splash, 
 no noise, a sure taker he is. But I say, sir, look at this nasty, drowsy 
 
A CONVERSATION. 383 
 
 haze corning on ; now we do know what to pick out ! Here's the very 
 thing a little ' Black Doctor.' Look alive, it's time now, three minutes 
 is always enough. Cast over the middle of the rock, bring your rod sharp 
 round this side of it and lower the point for the stream to catch a bit of 
 
 line, so that the fly comes in front of the fish at once. He'll have 
 
 bless me, you are hitched up this time ! Don't pull, don't pull, stop a 
 second, you'll never get it clear, give me the rod, and just observe how 
 I do it." 
 
 It is to be feared that, in these cases, the novice, unaccompanied by 
 an experienced hand, had better choose the lesser of two evils by pulling 
 the line with his hands for the fly to give way or be broken off. I never 
 like losing a fly, but would much rather lose two than my chance of a 
 "heads and tails." But still it need not be supposed, when the fly is 
 merely hitched up in a rock by the influence of the current alone, that it 
 cannot be cast adrift ; for the process of clearing to adopt, though decidedly 
 of a nature calculated to disturb fish, can scarcely fail, provided the line be 
 not pulled beforehand. 
 
 The plan is to get the line well over to the farther side of the 
 mischief ; so walk back, letting out as much line as you think you can 
 switch, and, by the usual down-cast, send it out beyond the rock, when it 
 will be taken below by the stream while you make towards the rock. As 
 soon as it has been carried ten to twelve yards, hold on. If the strength 
 of the current itself has not the effect desired, lay aside the rod, and, 
 catching the line in your hands, say three or four feet from the point of 
 the rod, give a sharp, long pull. Should this fail, allow the line to be 
 carried down again while you walk ten or twelve yards below the rock ; 
 wind in spare line and pull as before. 
 
 But for the purpose of our programme, let us suppose that the gillie 
 in question cleared the line from the snag, and that in two minutes 
 afterwards the little " Black Doctor " had met with a downright refusal 
 on the part of the fish. 
 
 The gillie, let us imagine, was new to the neighbourhood had only 
 recently been engaged owing to his remarkable success in the South. 
 
 " We have," says he, " not done much to boast of in this pool as yet, 
 and the dreams of a good day which we cherished remain dreams still. 
 
384 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 Look here, sir, if you won't wade, let me. There are plenty of fish about, 
 but somehow I don't like the way they show themselves. I wonder what's 
 up with 'em ; I'll find out before I've been here long. I ' scarce ' know 
 the way of the river yet. How rivers do vary ! Fish such a pool as this, 
 and no sport ! Extraordinary ! Is the water falling quickly? No ; then 
 what is it ? Fly wrong ? Can't have a better than a little black one in a 
 haze. Pool out of fettle ? Can't be, according to the run of the water. 
 Glass rising what can it be ? Fishing wrong side ? No ; I always 
 prefer casting from the shallow towards the deep. The fish might not 
 have seen the fly ; the weather is boisterous enough to make him settle in 
 the very neck of the eddy, so we are safe there. Then there are no big 
 white clouds rolling about. I don't notice any ' muck ' in the water. 
 Pollution makes Salmon travel, and those which are not that way inclined 
 rise, but won't take. Nor do I see any trace of Otters. Dismiss the 
 question as unanswerable is an easy way of escape, but that don't suit me. 
 Here comes the superintendent, he'll tell us, no doubt." 
 
 " Good morning, captain, good morning. Jim, take my dog in the 
 slip and tie him to yonder gate, for in fishing dogs are as bad as Otters. 
 What luck, sir? Goodish day this, and plenty of fish 'going.' Sorry I 
 couldn't be with you before." 
 
 " Luck isn't in it my way, MacGregor." 
 
 And the captain relates all that has transpired. 
 
 " Well," continues the superintendent, " that chap Jim ought to 
 know, else he shan't stop long with me. He seems to have told you 
 right so far. We don't know everything, and never shall. Yes, yes, all 
 that seems right, but common sense doesn't look to these matters alone. 
 Jim, just take the cup out of the frail and bring us a sample of the water 
 (tasting). Ah ! thought so, by the greyish look of it ; this bitter taste is 
 enough for me. Never mind the waders yet ; come back with me, I know 
 what's the matter it's heather icater ! There ! There ! Look at that 
 caterpillar going down. You must try the ' Heather Dog.' I got this 
 tip from Land and Water, and it finds 'eni out sometimes, I give you my 
 word. But I say, captain, as the eddy has had such a doing, you'd better 
 have lunch first ; besides, the haze seems to be lifting, and that'll help you 
 considerably with this style of fly." 
 
PRESENTATION. :-J85 
 
 Let the angling reader clearly understand that this picture is drawn 
 from everyday work, so to speak, and may be accepted as a fair specimen 
 of Salmon-angling and the system of procedure. The success of a 
 particular fly on some special occasions is of no uncommon occurrence. 
 As to how the captain hooked, played, and finally secured his fish we will 
 not inquire, for the reason that these matters will be practically treated 
 presently in accordance with my original plan of arrangement. Of course, 
 he waded, or left the bottom part of the pool " maiden " ; but this also is 
 a subject I defer. 
 
 In reference to streams there is a general disagreement of authorities 
 as to the size of the fly. The little fly theory is, in places, much maligned, 
 whilst the most plausible reasons are advanced in support of the large one. 
 Veritable champions, few though they be, come and catch sulky fish 
 with large sized patterns on those particular occasions when other men 
 have failed ; and even then their success is invariably attributed to the 
 -humour of the fish. This old exculpatory plea will not do at all. Their 
 victory is entirely due to the principle adopted in presenting the large fly. 
 Let us take a case in point. 
 
 The man fishing a small pattern in a stream, takes up a position in 
 close quarters with the fish, and I shall explain why very soon. If he be 
 inexperienced in approaching Salmon, his manner alone, as I have before 
 observed, may spoil his chance. It is certain that the untrained novice 
 had better stand back and use a large fly, than wade in and fish 
 with a small one. 
 
 Success in either case necessitates a due obedience to the laws of 
 presentation. For instance, a small fly must dwell longer over the fish 
 than a large one. In order to ensure this, wading is imperative. On the 
 other hand, a large fly can often be played properly from the bank, the 
 expert being fully alive to the fact that such a lure in most streams must 
 be worked quickly and not allowed to dwell at all. 
 
 It would be manifestly unfair towards brother Anglers who fish after 
 one, to wade in and thrash a stream with a large fly. The mere fact of 
 punishing a stream in this way prohibits the use of a small fly on it, put 
 by the hand of a novice. Fortunately, however, this practice, and 
 others that for instance of " skimming pools " is quite the exception 
 
 O 
 
38f) THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 and rarely if ever witnessed on other than Association waters, whose list 
 of members, forsooth, sometimes includes the names of persons ever more 
 on the alert for jealous competition than for the enjoyment of true sport. 
 
 At all events, before closely examining stream fishing, it must be said 
 that some of these " rippling runs " abound with " tub " catches and may 
 be bordered with one or two eddies. This chiefly determines the choice 
 of flies, their size, and the characteristics of their dressing. The essential 
 difference between a " tub " and an ordinary clip in the bed of a river is 
 this : A tub catch is always protected at the head by a boulder, 
 immediately behind which, yet in the hollow itself, a fish will lie ; whereas 
 in the ordinary dip, arising from some peculiarity in the flow of the water, 
 the unprotected fish will take up its quarters at the tail of the dip rather 
 than on the rising ground. (Salmon will lie on the rising ground when 
 the so-called " dips " are out of all proportion larger than the places which 
 I am alluding to, and lead into very deep channels.) It is an invariable 
 rule with me in fishing " tubs " to mount a small fly, dressed with over- 
 sized Jungle "sides," or well-marked Summer Duck serving the same 
 purpose, and fish foot by foot rather than yard by yard. In the case of 
 fish coming up from deep water, and lying at the very head of a long dip, 
 the size of the fly is not so important as the way it is presented, 
 whilst the question relating to Jungle and Summer Duck does not 
 enter. One wants to fish close, in other words, to take short steps, with 
 a view to getting the fish to come sharp at the fly when he sees it at a 
 distance. 
 
 I have always noticed in stream fishing, when the bed is formed of 
 gravel, that the more the district is overstocked with Eods, the more 
 readily well matured fish fight shy of gaudiness, and exhibit a special 
 preference for common looking, plainly dressed flies ; and this is, in my 
 opinion, the very reason for so many of our Standards being blessed with 
 so many variations here, there, and everywhere. In unfrequented 
 districts, the very opposite ruling applies to streams of this sort ; and, if 
 I mistake not, it was for one of them that " Jock Scott " was first dressed 
 with a blue silk section, and its reputation made at once. 
 
 There are circumstances connected with the temperature of the 
 water, its height and colour, atmospherical changes, and the influence 
 
STUDY THE WEATHER. 387 
 
 of local surroundings all of which puzzle us now and again, and I desire 
 to urge that these matters must be separately considered in stream and 
 other fishing, else the flies chosen will serve only to catch the eye and 
 not the fish. 
 
 It will be apparent that, in the economy of nature, heat and cold 
 play parts of the utmost importance to the Angler, for the disposition of 
 the Salmon is amenable to all climatic vicissitudes. Certainly a rapid 
 change to cold, if taken in time, is not so productive of mischief as in the 
 case of the weather turning suddenly hot. The fish will cease to show, 
 but not to take ; and it will be found that, for sport, the morning is better 
 than the afternoon. Sudden heat, as I will explain, has a different effect 
 upon them. 
 
 Now, the safest principle for the Angler to adopt, according to my 
 experience, is to increase the size of the fly, and decrease the gaudy 
 materials in proportion as the air gets suddenly colder. This is my rule, 
 and it appears to hold good at nearly all seasons of the year. But when 
 the day turns suddenly hot, in which case with a rising barometer 
 Catches, hitherto barren of splashes and rings, show signs of life and 
 animation, the occupants, as a rule, are restless and seem indisposed 
 to look at any fly for the time being. They will leap high out of the 
 water to fall back tail first, flounder sideways to come down with a smack 
 often heard two or three 'hundred yards away. Still, however much 
 some fish may be thus inclined to revive themselves, it would be quite an 
 error to consider that the difficulty is very much increased in catching 
 others, which, though located in the same pool or stream, are not quite so 
 restless. It may be taken that any sensible degree of rise, as measured 
 by the thermometer, should lead you to adopt widely different plans. 
 You reduce or enlarge the size according to circumstances. For instance, 
 up to the end of March, not once in twenty years will you have occasion 
 from the exigencies of increased temperature alone, to come down more 
 than two sizes. But the change coming in the month of May, when fish 
 generally begin to "sport" is a signal pointing in two directions; (1) to 
 reduce the size of the fly on most rivers by more than one half ; (2) to 
 increase (as much as you can in reason) the comparative gaudiness. Once 
 on the Dee, when fishing under such conditions in May, 1895, I came 
 
 CC 2 
 
388 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 down at one bound from a five-inch hook to a "dress" measuring only 
 three quarters of an inch. 
 
 As regards the height and colour of the water the one standard 
 principle applies everywhere : In high water you use a larger fly than in 
 low, but in the event of discolouration my tactics are these ; (1) flaked 
 water, silver bodies; (2) road washings (of any colour), Seal's fur bodies 
 well picked out ; (3) porter colour, blue hackle over black body ; or a 
 claret body, grey Heron hackle and cinnamon Turkey wings for choice. 
 (These remarks apply more especially to those rivers on which fancy flies 
 are in general use. Nevertheless, on the Spey, where a peculiar variety 
 of the strip winged fly is and has for long been pepular, the bright fly 
 system holds good on bright days, though perhaps not to any particular 
 extent in point of gaudiness. The claret (or fiery-brown) body and 
 cinnamon wings is, however, a typical pattern on the Spey for porter- 
 coloured water ; and until the summer season, when Cock's hackles take 
 the place of Herons, an almost universal system in the selection of flies 
 prevails for various conditions of weather and water. That is to say, the 
 " Bough Grouse " is invariably reserved for a dark, drizzly day ; the 
 " Brown Dog" for a bright day in dark water ; whilst the " Purple King " is 
 estimated as being the best general pattern on the river.) In any place, 
 I would impress upon the student the necessity for studying the effect of 
 long hackles. Responsive as they are to the slightest movement of the 
 rod, in the water long hackles are, under proper management, far more 
 telling in still pools and lagoon-like reaches than short ones more or less 
 stiff in fibre. The secret is never to encourage them by movement of the 
 rod to make grotesque and irregular gambols, be the water what it may. 
 Perhaps they are less valuable in " maiden " streams than in other 
 Catches, yet may be the only sort the fish will notice. Many a time 
 have I seen men dwell beside a favourite stream and from want of know- 
 ledge put fish down with the short hackled flies to such an extent that 
 nothing but long hackles would stir them afterwards. 
 
 This being so, we arrive at the reason of that success which attends 
 the man who comes with a large fly and picks up sulky Salmon to the 
 astonishment of those who have gone before him fishing small. It may 
 be assumed that his whole system differs from that of his innocent 
 
EFFECT OF RAIN. 
 
 predecessors. He had wjell understood the failure of the small, short- 
 hackled fly, how, amongst other faults, it was played, not with clock-work 
 precision, but by shaking the rod about as though a wasp had settled on 
 the top ring ; he stands well away from the fish, aims more across the 
 water than usual, in order that his fly should not unduly dwell over the 
 Catch, and "mends his cast " immediately it is made. Should his fly be 
 of an ordinary type, he uses an extra length of line, and never plays the 
 lure till it readies the middle part of the stream. He uses the ordinary 
 type, and trusts to other principles in his method for those streams which 
 are very open, not a tree or a bank to shelter them, upon every occasion 
 when the day has grown brighter, not forgetting to have plenty of tinsel 
 round the body silver in the morning, gold in the afternoon and plenty 
 of Grey Mallard, or Teal, or even Summer Duck in the wings. 
 
 Of course, there is a limit in all things, and when we say " Use the 
 fly which shows best under certain conditions," the exact signification of 
 the word " best " can only be realised by correct calculations and 
 observations. Flies which look well under a clear sky with the sun 
 behind them look wretched in rain, and yet, as it may now be understood, 
 circumstances sometimes compel us to use them. 
 
 In connection with rain, the worst of it is, and the truth of it is, we 
 know very little about the effects of it on fish ; but having had my mind 
 directed to the subject, I have obtained a certain advantageous knowledge. 
 I shall, however, make no endeavour to satisfy the exacting demands of 
 the serious student of the problem for a complete exposition of the details 
 that would be a feat of no mean order for any Salmon-angler. Yet it 
 is certain that rain may either make our fortunes or leave us worse off 
 than before. A good flood in an uninhabited and uncultivated district is 
 invariably favourable to sport in certain parls of the river ; but a heavy 
 thunderstorm often thickens the water without raising it much, and keeps 
 it altogether out of ply, particularly on slow-running rivers, for many 
 days. 
 
 I have known a man fishing in heavy rain under a wood, at that 
 season of the year when the sap rises, plod on and on and never stir a 
 fin ; whilst in the open waters above excellent sport was being obtained. 
 My note book told me of this, though I failed to discover any explanation 
 
390 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 of the fact until after making an exhaustive analysis. From that time 
 I have never missed an opportunity of trying further experiments, and 
 have met with quite sufficient evidence to convince me that this was no 
 mere chance occurrence. 
 
 My own theory is that, from the dripping of pine, or juniper, or 
 something else not precisely known to us, an effect of some kind is quickly 
 produced on the fish, and puts them down. We may rest assured that 
 any impure matter which a fall of rain disperses in a river is more harmful 
 than the composition of rain itself. How far a fair artificial sprinkling of 
 chloride of sodium would induce Salmon to rise and take our flies I am 
 not concerned to inquire into ; but when Nature herself supplies sea salt 
 by means of rain from the westward ocean, our success in certain neigh- 
 bourhoods is invariably increased. I say " certain neighbourhoods " from 
 the fact that organic matter exists in the air and rain. In the same way 
 and measure impurities due to budding, as well as to decaying, foliage 
 may do much to cripple or destroy our sport for the time being. 
 
 The chief difficulty which I have hitherto met with is my inability to 
 form a fairly approximate idea as to how long it may be before any im- 
 purity becomes neutralised. This doubtless could be discovered by 
 chemical auxiliaries, just as it has been ascertained that more sulphates 
 are found inland than by the sea, and that ammoniacal salts are detected 
 in the samples of rain water collected, for instance, in closely inhabited 
 coal districts. In fact, it has been conclusively proved in the North that 
 vegetation ceases when about four grains of acid are found in one gallon 
 of rain water ; and, therefore, it is as well for Fishermen not always to 
 pin their faith on a good down-fall. 
 
 There is much less variation needed in selecting proper flies just after 
 rain than before it. 
 
 Fishermen of experience are well aware that we often encounter a 
 rise of water when least expected. One " fresh," sunny day in the North 
 (especially in the months of April and May), and down comes a foot of 
 water, upsetting all one's overnight deliberations and plans. The river 
 has been affected by the melting of snow. 
 
 Doctors differ considerably as to the effect of a good dose of snow 
 broth. On one occasion I was requested to arbitrate in the matter, and 
 
THE STATE OF THE ATMOSPHERE. 391 
 
 upon a close examination of the facts and the arguments set forth in 
 writing by the two parties themselves, had to find a verdict in favour of 
 both. The one had formed his opinions from his own experiences of the 
 Dee, the other his of the sister river, the Don. My own knowledge of the 
 peculiarities of these rivers is intimate and of prolonged duration. 
 
 I have often met with success on the Dee during a flow of snow 
 broth, but never on the Don, and yet these two rivers empty themselves 
 close to each other. 
 
 I may refer here to a curious coincidence which once happened while 
 fishing the Don. There was no snow at the time of any importance. 
 With me sport was at a standstill, whilst the accounts from the Dee were 
 excellent. One day it rained for six or seven hours, but the storm was 
 local and did not extend to the Dee. For several days I watched the state 
 of the weather, and kept up a correspondence with friends in the other 
 district, with the result that I found it varied considerably. Cloudy 
 weather and fogs prevailed with us, while the sun shone brightly on the 
 others. Either of the two former conditions usually tends to quickly lower 
 the temperature of the atmosphere. Even the deposit of dew makes a 
 difference of a few degrees. In my observations I found out that the 
 nature of the soil and the degree to which it is covered by vegetation 
 affects the temperature of the climate, changes it, and spoils sport. 
 
 If we carried our thoughts to the sandy deserts of Arabia, we could 
 well imagine that the atmosphere attains a very high temperature owing 
 to the exposed state of the dry ground ; but a country overrun with 
 forests, as on Dee-side, is kept comparatively cool, partly by the sun's rays 
 being prevented from reaching the earth, and partly by the abundant 
 evaporation which takes place from living vegetables. 
 
 With regard to the statement that temperature is lowered by clouds, 
 Fishermen are generally instructed enough to know that the effect is 
 widely different in certain seasons. By intercepting and throwing back 
 the heat which in winter is so abundantly radiated from the earth's 
 surface, clouds tend to preserve a warm temperature. 
 
 In summer, the earth receives more heat from the sun that the soil 
 radiates, whilst in cloudy weather the access of the caloric rays to the 
 earth is somewhat obstructed, and our planet is protected from a heat too 
 
392 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 violent for her needs. The watery areas of the earth are effected under 
 special and highly beneficial conditions, for water heing a poor conductor, 
 takes in and gives out heat very slowly very slowly storing much of it 
 in summer, and very slowly releasing it in winter with the effect of 
 moderating the cold of the one season and the heat of the other. 
 Thus, too, rivers preserve a much more equable temperature than their 
 banks. 
 
 As to the comparatively bad sport on the Don, I am almost convinced 
 that I had hit a clue. In my opinion, the sun was at the bottom of it 
 all, for with me the air was bitterly cold, the water warm. Under those 
 conditions, the sport is never good. But in cold seasons the soil along the 
 valley of the Dee brings more fortunate conditions. It is from 20 to 25 
 degrees warmer than the surface of the snow above it ; so, of course, the 
 icy chilliness of the water during a thaw is not nearly so perceptible in the 
 one river as in the other. 
 
 To resolve the questions which arise from a sudden push of water 
 lessees can erect at a trifling cost, an automatic Water Gauge that registers 
 the exact height of the river they fish. Not once but many times have I 
 made arrangements over night to send friends to that " sure cast," little 
 knowing that in the morning it would be the worst on the whole beat. 
 The unlucky ones would go and thrash away until at length they learnt 
 to the disappointment of all concerned, that the reach had been trans- 
 formed into barren water, and put altogether out of ply. And, moreover, 
 it has occurred in my own experience to have got up early to make a 
 fly or two for a friend, and afterwards to have directed him to stand 
 on a certain stone beside a stream, cast and bring his rod round and 
 hold it there till the fly fishes on the inner side of the jutting current 
 below one inch rise in the river or even less, and our joint efforts are 
 vain, for all the " holding " in the world would not cause the fly to cover 
 a Catch of that sort. 
 
 All these and other disadvantages are obviated by bringing into use a 
 simple and inexpensive apparatus, which can be made at home and fixed 
 by an angling gillie of ordinary intelligence. 
 
 The water gauge is simply a long hollow square box, in which rises 
 and falls the connected corks according to variations in the height of 
 
WATER GAUGE. 
 
 393 
 
 the water. The line, which is of strong gimp, is attached to the corks 
 and runs along on the top of a number of posts, 25 to 35 yards apart, 
 through pulleys. It is also attached to the index plate which rises and 
 falls on the dial in response to the rise and fall of the corks in the box 
 at the riverside. The dial is placed within sight of the windows of your 
 residence. 
 
 WATER GAUGE. 
 
 The box is about 12 feet in length, the inside measurement of which 
 is 12 inches square. It can be put in the water and fixed to the bank ; or 
 a hole can be made in the bank for it, and a gully containing a pipe made 
 tor the connection. In either case, a hole should be made, so that the box 
 is a little lower than " dead low water " when fixed. The pieces of cork 
 are four in number, 9 inches square and 3 inches thick. These fit on the 
 op of one another, and are fixed together, and weighted at the bottom 
 
394 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 with layers of lead, the whole to weigh 15 Ibs. The gimp is tied to a ring 
 fixed in the middle of the top cork. The box is shown with the front 
 board taken off ; the dial, in its natural state. This is merely a fixed 
 upright 7 inch deal, the face of which is painted white : the inches being 
 marked in black figures. Upon each side of this board is fixed a strip 
 of wood, flush with the back and projecting in front, say, f of an inch. 
 Upon the front edge of these two strips- is nailed another lath, flush 
 with the extreme right and left side of each strip of wood, yet slightly 
 projecting over the face of the dial, and so forming a groove to keep in 
 position the indicating piece of flat lead, which is 5 Ibs. in weight. A 
 straight course for the line to play in the pulleys is best, if not indeed 
 necessary. If the pulleys are kept in good working order, the least 
 variation in the height of the water can be detected by glancing at the dial 
 which may be almost any distance in reason from the box in the water. 
 
 We will now turn our attention to Flats. 
 
 Besides other features of these surgeless reaches to which I will 
 refer presently, Flats always make opportunities for the display of great 
 skill in casting and in killing foul-hooked fish. This is due not only to 
 the smoothness but also to the deepness of the water. Of course, these 
 places vary, but in most cases, unless caused by the wind, the surface 
 is not much ruffled, and unless the fishing is at the head or at the very 
 tail, the water is often too deep to wade, and so in wooded districts 
 a hooked fish cannot be followed up. The general evenness of the 
 bed of the river is the distinct feature from which Flats derive their 
 name. 
 
 I have constantly noticed in the objectionable change of beat system, 
 which prevails among parties numbering four or five or six, that the 
 " small fish " get fried. The pitiful spectacle presented of a young Angler 
 put down a Flat because it is " his turn," conclusively proves the weakness 
 of the system. Even if he can wade, he cannot command the water 
 with that degree of delicacy about which I would have a word or two 
 to say. 
 
 Delicacy, as here used, means not what shopkeepers mean when 
 recommending their fine hooks and lightly dressed flies, but something 
 very different. It has nothing to do with the fly dropping " like thistle- 
 
HOOKING FOUL. 395 
 
 down," which in Salmon-fishing is a fad, for the fly should "pop" in, 
 like a falling acorn upon oily waters. The word really denotes the 
 scrupulously light way the line should fall, when, in fishing all 
 smooth reaches on calm days, delicacy is an indispensable condition of 
 success. 
 
 The most effectual means of casting lightly, is to raise the point of 
 the rod by a spring of the wrist just as the line is descending. The very 
 instant the rod is thus handled the point ascends. But this is a knack 
 which requires an immense amount of practice to master. 
 
 In writing of Flats, a very much thrashed out controversy crops up 
 and calls to mind many hard struggles with foul-hooked fish. In foul- 
 hooking I have a particularly settled conviction, for there is such a thing 
 as " settled conviction " in piscatory affairs, though the closest observation 
 opens up a long vista of possibilities, and a deal of the non-proven matter 
 must for ever remain mysterious. 
 
 Crucial experiments have led me to accept a very good reason for 
 hooking fish foul, and I am not afraid to say that my settled conviction of 
 the subject would take " all the King's horses and all the King's men " to 
 remove. Depend upon this, it happens not from the fly shifting by a 
 sudden sharp curl of water, nor from the method of striking, but from 
 some fault in the fly itself ; it is either too large or is improperly put 
 before the fish, in most cases. 
 
 If he means it, a Salmon will catch a fly in any current easier than a 
 fly is caught by a swallow in a gale of wind ; and strike how one will in 
 these reaches, or for that matter, not strike at all, fish are often hooked 
 foul. No, in all smooth waters, a fly cast accidentally over fish when the 
 bed of the river is level, or a fly too large or too gaudy, and the chances 
 are they try to kill it with their tail, in which case they often strike the 
 line and get hooked somewhere not in the mouth. There is indeed, no 
 incident in Salmon-fishing that will more readily convince a man of the 
 importance of studying presentation, light, shade, geological formation, 
 and other local surroundings, than this. 
 
 Whatever may be the cause of the dilemma, when his line is run out 
 and the pull-devil pull-baker business (consequent on foul-hooking) sets in, 
 the Angler should resort to certain immediate tactics. Let the reach be 
 
896 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 what it may, the question of following fish should hardly ever be at all 
 in doubt.'* 
 
 What is the precise method to adopt in a case of foul-hooking ? 
 
 There is one golden rule worth noting, and if the fish, hooked in the 
 back or in the belly, can be followed in the water or on the bank it will 
 seldom be lost, provided the Fisherman has a companion. A fairly firm 
 hold should be kept on it till it rises to the surface and lies across the 
 water to be carried down stream by the force of the current. This 
 always occurs when exhaustion sets in. Then, with the rod upright, 
 stand perfectly still and allow the winch to uncoil sufficient line a 
 hundred yards if necessary to ensure your being so far above the fish, 
 that in walking on you do not alter its course. 
 
 Advance step by step afterwards, never losing the bend of the 
 rod. On arriving at the head of a shallow (frequently found in Salmon 
 rivers) suddenly loosen line, by dropping the point of the rod, when the 
 fish will soon disappear, .and as usual face up stream. Should your 
 assistant be without waders, give him the rod and walk into the water 
 well below the fish. Carefully and quietly station yourself, avoiding all 
 dangerous stumbling blocks in the way of big stones coated with muck 
 and moss. As soon as the fish is shown the butt again, its course will 
 direct you to the left or right, and you will be able to use the gaff 
 effectually upon your prize in its floating descent. 
 
 If you are alone, in getting in below the fish, you must of course 
 take the rod yourself; but put no pressure on until you are ready 
 with the gaff in hand ; then show him the butt in good earnest. 
 
 The misfortune of hooking fish in this way is quickly detected by the 
 strange antics they pursue. The fight is usually short, sharp, and severe, 
 the airy somersaults,which would make Blondin sick with envy, are soon ex- 
 changed for feeble plunges. In any case, always drop the point of the rod 
 when the Salmon leaps from the water, and bring it back in one movement. 
 
 Among other "awkward customers" to deal with in Flats, though 
 less frequently met with, is the " dancer." 
 
 , * N.B. Everybody, including proprietors, feels the pinch of hard times, but considering 
 the exorbitant rents, and the small outlay for making a pathway along a wood, or a platform 
 past a deep corner, it is astonishing how tenants bear with easily removed obstructions. 
 Knough is not always done in the interest of Anglers in clearing and making riverside 
 paths, &c. 
 
398 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 The engraving depicts a memorable fish of about 16 Ibs. It is a- 
 splendid sight to see these fine fellows get the line taut and fight it out on 
 their tails. This one gave me the hardest tussle I ever had. Sometimes, 
 and, indeed, more often than not, they commence operations by taking 
 across the river, and then sweeping up gently from the water, rest on 
 their tails, and shake their heads in the most violent manner. On these 
 occasions you have once more to break the rule which says, " never let a 
 Salmon have a slack line," for if you fail to do so in good time by dropping 
 the point of the rod, he will break you, as sure as fate. 
 
 But do what you may, the odds are very much against success if an 
 abominable snag in the shape of a dead tree is allowed- to rest from the 
 shore over the original haunt of the fish half in, half out of water, or if 
 you are debarred from taking him up or down, as I was. You may get 
 the better of him in the open, for in " dancing " he cannot break the 
 tackle when the line is loose, though he will soon make to his corner and 
 claim " foul," and often run foul of the snag. They nearly all do this. 
 After beating mine in the first " round " or two, he did it; and yet he 
 was not happy, for I pulled off a lot of line, switched as much as I could 
 over the water, at least ten yards above the snag, put the point of the rod 
 down on the bed of the river, waited till'the sinking slack part had been 
 washed a little below, and then wound] up, finding myself in command 
 once again. Not once, but twice did the same remedy bring him up to 
 time. There he would lie and spin round and round on the surface ; when 
 all of a sudden, feeling the butt, down-stream he went, " ducks and 
 drakes," over the bough he leapt, back he came to dance in front of me, 
 and bid me adieu as full of life as ever ! 
 
 But what about those natural surroundings I was talking of light 
 and shade and so on ? 
 
 I have, by the way, really begun to ask myself, with increasing fre- 
 quency of late, how these things will look in print, disconnected as they 
 are, though as I intended them to be. The arrangement is bad. But the 
 fact remains that, in getting through various topics by the convenient 
 process of division, I have been enabled to bring out the strong points in 
 suitable and fitting places. Had these matters been heaped together 
 many of them might have been easily overlooked. I have written of them 
 
CHANGING FLIES. 399 
 
 as they struck me, and taken care to arrange them in such a way as might 
 give me the prospect of making the whole business clear, intelligible, and 
 easily remembered. 
 
 Now of reflection. Side reflection differs materially from that kind 
 of light occasionally produced by white receding rocks high enough to 
 brighten up both sides of the river. If the particular reflector,* whatever 
 its nature be, leans towards the river, a direct glare is cast down close to 
 the mirror, as an elementary study of angles will show. The light, or 
 reflection, is confined to its own side of the river, and is very intense. 
 
 This is what we choose to term " side reflection." 
 
 Presenting the fly by any of the preceding methods of casting is a 
 hopeless procedure, mere waste of time, and injurious to sport. The 
 Angler must take up a position from which he can pay out the line 
 gradually in a direct line of the fish, and always avoiding sudden effort. As 
 sgon as the fly reaches, say, within two yards of the spot, it should be 
 held still for a minute, and then played for no more than another 
 minute. 
 
 A degree of uncertainty usually exists with regard to the change fly, 
 for, although fish are extremely sensitive in these resorts and easily 
 frightened away, a second fly should be tried, if not a third. If, however, 
 we are informed by the gillie put to watch the movements of the fish that 
 an " inspection " has been made, our state of uncertainty is considerably 
 reduced. It is not the question of size that should bother us, for all 
 patterns must be very small (No. 6 being considered as the full size), but 
 rather the question of character, colour, and very likely the way the fly 
 should be worked. At all events, we come down immediately in tone, 
 even to using a black body, and we make a thorough change in the style 
 of wing, say, from a built wing to one composed entirely of toppings. 
 
 The disposition of the fish to start or move again towards the fly 
 induces us to mount a pattern having two or three colours in the body, to 
 fish it deeper by the use of shot, and play it in a different manner 
 to that previously adopted. 
 
 * N.B. Of course, in speaking of the reflection of an overhanging rock, I have two 
 refltrtors before me, e.y., the water and the rock. For clearneits I shall call the water 
 "mirror" and the object imaged on it the " reflector." 
 
400 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 Who, for instance, has not seen a fish seize a fly just as it is being 
 drawn into a strong current from a side eddy a great secret this in 
 "presentation." The fly cast, say, beyond fish resting on the far side of 
 the current, cannot remain there for long. Do what one may, the inter- 
 vening stream catches the line, gracefully turns the head of the fly, and 
 gradually increases the pace of it across the catch. 
 
 This is a useful lesson to those who are not well versed in 
 presentation. 
 
 Where nature fails, art often succeeds. The desirable current is not 
 always there, but the student can, as I have before said, secure the natural 
 and effective movement of the fly, by working the rod-graduaUy round in 
 front of him. 
 
 However, the Angler fishing alone had better begin operations with a 
 dark silk or Berlin wool body and chance his luck afterwards with the 
 "variegated" body (see Sun fly) made with silks, furs, or chenilles 
 according to the custom prevailing on the river. Silver bodies, black 
 hackles, and plain Mallard wings are very telling when the sun is con- 
 stantly popping in and out. 
 
 The mere brightening up of the water by the sun shining over a bank 
 or a wood upon wet or white rocks which do not throw back rays of light 
 actually into the water, is the signal for decreasing size and increasing 
 gaudiness. 
 
 Should the trees overhang and shade the catches on the inner side, a 
 dirty yellow, or a dirty orange body, with a plain hackle at the throat, and 
 with wings composed of Peacock's herl mixed with strands of Golden 
 Pheasant tail, is the kind of fly I invariably use myself. 
 
 While directing my attention to Flats, I have learnt that " the sun 
 speaks a language of his own, though no voice breaks the air." To 
 interpret it, we should evoke the whispers of common sense. 
 
 Of course, we may strive in vain in our endeavour to collocate all the 
 technical laws which govern the sport, but were a little of the time and 
 thought usually spent in learning the commoner accomplishments of 
 Salmon-fishing bestowed, say, upon the more complex and interesting 
 subjects (for instance, the reflection of light), how many of the so-called 
 " mysteries " would meet with easy explanation, and how much the 
 
ROCKS S GRUB. 
 
 THE FAIRY KINO. 
 
 THE MYSTERY. 
 
 THE LITTLE KELLY. 
 
 ST BERNARD.' 
 
 SKIRROW'S FANCY. 
 
 :LY SNOW FLY. 
 
 THE BRONZE PIRATE . 
 
 Plate 8 
 
SULKING SALMON. 401 
 
 pleasure and prosperity of the Angler's life would be heightened and 
 increased. 
 
 Besides being very shy, the fish in these places are very sulky when 
 the water is deep ; and to render a conflict inevitable, the frequent use 
 of split shot can well be recommended. On these occasions they are, 
 indeed, the greatest labour-saving adjuncts we possess the amount of 
 sport derived from their employment being far more than commensurate 
 with the labour generally expended without them. And this brings to 
 mind another peculiarity in Salmon that uniformly accompanies the 
 Fisherman on Flats, and is characteristic of them. It may be described 
 as " a fit of the sulks," and nothing more strikingly brings home the 
 utility of patient perseverance and self command than the dexterous 
 delusion and conspicuous conquest of a sulking fish. 
 
 I have no record of having killed a 30 pounder in a Flat without first 
 being called upon to cure this tiresome complaint, but of the last thirteen 
 "fits" treated, not one single patient survived to recompense by his 
 presence the pains-taking efforts of another man. 
 
 I am still of the opinion that the method adopted resulted in the best 
 " cure " after all. Nor does it require a trained and familiar acquaintance 
 with the handling of our tackle to bring about the desired result. 
 
 When all other schemes to release himself have failed, a heavy Salmon 
 seems instinctively prompted to take up his quarters on the bed of the 
 river and there lie, sometimes for hours, still as a mouse. This is called 
 " sulking." There is a belief existing, not only in certain parts of Ireland 
 and Scotland, but also in Wales, that the best means of dealing with this 
 deep-seated policy is to use a "night-cap." I would rather not educate 
 the untutored mind by defining this article, and describing the mode of its 
 application. Suffice it to say that this funnel-shaped scarecrow, though 
 accelerating the battle, maddens the fish by depriving it of the use of the 
 organs of sight, and aggravates it to such an extent that off it will go, at 
 a pace peculiar to the species, against any obstruction in the road often 
 the opposite bank when the tackle breaks and the fish retires from sight 
 more dead than alive. It is equally futile to attempt to haul the fish from 
 its haunt ; Jumbo himself could not to all seeming have tried the tackle 
 more. But I have moved them by getting below and pulling by the line. 
 
 D U 
 
402 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 This is known as "hand-lining" a fish. The experiment, however, is not 
 one to recommend the novice to try at any time (except in the 
 absence of the gaff) ; for it often ends in failure or loss, even with 
 the best of us. Stones and other missiles deserve wholesale con- 
 demnation. 
 
 The safest and surest remedy is not to disturb the fish in any 
 way whatever, but to put on a good steady strain and bide your time. 
 Get towards him, take up a position that the point of the rod is 
 opposite the tail of the fish and pull sideways, carefully watching the 
 instant he moves for relaxing your efforts. 
 
 In this serene situation you patiently sit, and for aught one knows 
 hold your lighted pipe, and a firm grip of the fish simultaneously, till at 
 length it becomes weary and eventually yours. 
 
 Beyond the common advantages of other Catches, Flats offer the 
 privilege of successfully running do wn " travellers . ' ' Any observant Angler 
 soon learns for himself that travelling fish almost invariably rest and rise 
 at the very tail of a Flat. Whether the increased aeration of the rapid 
 immediately below works upon them as one would expect, I leave to others 
 to decide for themselves. But we know for a fact that artificial means 
 have been devised, and are used to pump air into bait-cans, such as that 
 exhibited at the " Fisheries," by Mr. Basil Field ; and to acquire an idea 
 of the effect of fresh oxygen ascending through the water, as in this 
 instance, during a long day's journey, you may carry baits for coarse 
 fishing, and keep them as fresh and full of life as ever they were. 
 
 It is not the mere fact of a Salmon resting and rising in these places 
 to which I would alone call attention, but rather to the ready way a fish 
 will take a fly on reaching them, and to the singular opportunity they 
 afford a recruit to " flesh his maiden sword." 
 
 On the tail of a Flat you really may shake up your flies in a hat and 
 choose the first that comes to hand. Of course, I allude only to ordinary 
 standard patterns, and not to " specials " or "exaggerations." And, as 
 to size, here again I should consider that no man would mount a Tay fly, 
 say, on the Lochy or Ness. 
 
 Now we come to Rapids ; and perhaps the most difficult thing to 
 detect and the easiest to deal with is the " stone-grubber." In any other 
 
THE STONE-GRUBBER. 
 
 403 
 
 Catches, stone grubbing can be immediately recognised ; the sensation 
 reminds one of a terrier shaking a rat ; but in rapids the action of the 
 water upon the tackle often misleads a man by producing a similar im- 
 pression. The object of this manoeuvre of the fish is to break the hook, 
 by knocking it backwards and forwards against a boulder. Experience 
 
 MB. L. J. GRAHAM-CLARKE, AT CRAIGLLYN, WYE. 
 To show the posit ion for playing a heavy Jink in a rapid. 
 
 has confirmed the conviction that disaster will follow the application of 
 strain ; the line therefore should be, at once, considerably slackened, 
 when the fish will quickly move away. Should you succeed in 
 
 D D 2 
 
404 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 banking a "grubber " you will find the hook inserted in a bone or very 
 close to one. 
 
 It is chiefly owing to this circumstance that I recommended double 
 hooks for these situations. Never once has a " stone-grubber " beaten me 
 when thus appointed. In saying this, I am fully alive to the fact that 
 other authorities will disagree with me. Only yesterday (12th August, 
 1893), I read an article in a London paper, wherein the writer seemed 
 satisfied of their superiority, but condemned them altogether for use in 
 rapids. 
 
 In my opinion, any hook improperly managed will " skirt " or make 
 an objectionable fuss in rapid water. Holland's hooks,- made by William 
 Bartleet and Sons, are the least likely to do so, whilst in untutored hands 
 double hooks are certain to " skirt " ; and, in rapids, this defect would be 
 noticed directly. But let the reader understand that, the places where 
 the expert himself would be puzzled to use a double-hooked fly correctly, 
 are the very places in which the fish never rest. 
 
 Times out of number have I been driven to cast beyond a Salmon 
 lying in the wake of a boulder, and 011 seeing the fly "skirt" have 
 "mended the cast," lowered the point of the rod, letting it go forward 
 instead of holding it still, and so succeeded in presenting the fly to 
 the fish, in a way, which, at any rate, gave me satisfaction. But 
 I take this as a very insignificant detail in comparison with others 
 bearing on the question of Rapids, as, for instance, " garreting." I will 
 briefly explain and deal more fully with the subject in the next chapter. 
 
 Kivers are " garreted " (as it is called) for the purpose of forming 
 artificial catches. (The term " catch," so written, differs from a Catch or 
 Cast which may contain several " catches," " lay-byes," or " holds." It 
 denotes a certain spot, or place, in which, according to its dimensions, 
 one or more Salmon will rest for a time as they ascend the river.) 
 
 These "garrets" are often constructed with piles shod with iron, 
 boarded in front, and backed up with large stones by way of extra support. 
 The angle at which the piles are driven entirely depends upon the force of 
 water in flood time. For example, if put too slanting, the object desired, 
 which, obviously, is to wash out a portion of the bed of the river below 
 and create a holding place, would be defeated, let the bed of the river be 
 
ARTIFICIAL CATCHES. 405 
 
 what it may, unless the current is sufficiently strong for the purpose. 
 Much, however, depends upon the bed of the river. If formed of gravel, 
 an angle of 40 degrees might suffice ; if of boulders silted up, 50 degrees 
 may be necessary. Again, the length of the garret has to be determined. 
 With a straight flow of water, in the absence of any small bank eddies, 
 five yards, measuring from the outward pile straight across to the bank, 
 is the average distance. But I have hardly ever seen garreting rapids 
 done by any process that led to good results. And although I have seen 
 the experiment tried, it has usually ended in failure, sometimes in disaster. 
 
 Artificial Catches, when properly constructed, are quite as useful for 
 angling purposes as those formed by Nature. When improperly made, 
 they not only involve a waste of time and money, but are apt to completely 
 spoil other Casts below them. 
 
 There are other means than garreting to make artificial catches. For 
 instance, in gravelly streams, the Salmon, though present, will not rise 
 to flies when the water falls below a certain height. A boulder weighing 
 about 3 cwt. dropped from the stern of a punt into the middle of the 
 current will soon make a sure " rise." Much larger ones are not nearly 
 so efficient. Half a dozen such places could be formed in this way in 
 streams 50 yards in length, but it is desirable to put the boulders in a 
 zig-zag line. Behind each one, for a distance of two and a half to three 
 and a half yards, the gravel will be washed out, and so, of necessity, 
 deepen the water ; and, in one or two days, or as soon as each stone gets 
 silted up a little, the fish will take to them. 
 
 I have a particular object in view in referring just now to various 
 changes in the beds of rivers, for they sometimes lead to the most fantastic 
 results. 
 
 The ancient sites of many towns and villages in Yorkshire, for 
 instance, are now occupied by sandbanks in the sea. Among these the 
 Ravenspur is, perhaps, the most conspicuous example. This seaport 
 town, formerly of such importance that it was a rival to Hull, has been 
 altogether swept away, and nothing is now to be seen of the site it 
 occupied, save extensive sandbanks, which are daily covered by the waves, 
 though still visible when the tide recedes. The coast of Elgin also affords 
 a striking example of the " sand-flood," as it is not improperly termed. 
 
406 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 Great alteration is traceable upon some rivers inland, as witness the Spey. 
 Along the valley of this glorious river, once famed for its purity, the 
 geologist meets with many tracts formerly occupied by its waters. 
 
 I wonder whether there was any garreting in those days ! Be that 
 as it may, whatever may have been the cause in ancient times for any 
 such changes as these, whether by subterranean disturbances or by sub- 
 sidence, I have with my own eyes seen two of the best pools a man could 
 wish for, silted up and absolutely ruined by an attempt to garret a rapid, 
 and I wish to emphasise this story. 
 
 Once while watching some boulders as they thundered down stream 
 in a growing flood, I witnessed a sight never to be forgotten. In less time 
 than it takes to write about it an increasing pile of boulders hitched up in 
 a garret at the head of a rapid and backed up the waters until they struck 
 off at a sharp angle, cutting through the banked up stones alongside, and 
 forming through them a new, navigable channel. 
 
 Suddenly, as the river rose, the mass washed away. Two or three 
 days afterwards, the flood having receded, the new watercourse could not 
 be traced, for the bank of stones had assumed its normal condition, 
 and not a vestige of the threatened mischief remained. 
 
 If left to themselves, in the absence of obstruction by artificial agency, 
 rapids rarely spoil fishing, or create any mischief in other respects. But 
 it is not too much to say that, in his endeavour to improve the fishing by 
 means of garrets, the inexperienced workman should never be trusted. 
 
 The safest places for these constructions are unquestionably those 
 broad reaches frequently met with which have remained for years in an 
 unaltered condition reaches invariably shallow and barren of fish. And 
 the best spots in them are those in which a huge boulder, raising its head 
 well out of the water, renders the undertaking not only easy, but safe. 
 
 One of the most noteworthy schemes for fishing rapids is by that 
 known to me as the " hinged platform." No one will deny that this little 
 stage is simplicity itself and a great convenience. It can either rest upon 
 iron feet, or upon an outstanding rock or boulder, and let down for use 
 and raised afterwards by means of a rope running through a pulley fixed 
 on a tree or on a post at a suitable angle. 
 
 In the absence of this contrivance, and in places which, perhaps, are 
 
BODY-BELT. 407 
 
 not more than 18 inches in depth, the " Body-belt " provides the only 
 means of fishing wild waters dancing between the rocks in downhill rapids. 
 The sense of safety that always comes in using it inspires one with a 
 feeling of the utmost confidence. 
 
 " Upon my word," writes a well-known Fisherman who is just now 
 trying mine, " I feel safer than I ever did in wading before ; but I ought 
 to tell you that the first time I tried I was washed off my legs. This was 
 entirely my own fault, as I forgot to follow your directions." 
 
 The belt is best made of similar material to that used for saddle 
 girths. It buckles round the waist and fastens in front. A ring is fixed 
 in the centre at the back, through which a fairly strong rope passes, form- 
 ing a pair of reins. The Angler puts the rope round a tree or a post and 
 lets out rope as he moves down-stream. It is a sure means of support, 
 provided the Fisherman leans forward ; but if he allows his legs to get in 
 front of him in other words, if he leans back, the force of the current 
 may wash him " off his legs," as in the instance of my correspondent. 
 
 Open rapids can be covered without casting a very long line, as 
 this kind of water generally pursues a course through narrow channels of 
 the river. In fishing the fly, the great secret is to locate oneself as much 
 as possible in front of the " catches," so that the fly may be brought 
 across them at any pace the Angler thinks best. But when, by force of 
 circumstances, he is driven to let the fly travel fast, the size of it should 
 be considerably increased. 
 
 Sometimes we encounter narrow fast-running waters shut in between 
 rocks. As a rule, the Catch is situated in the tail of the rapid where the 
 water is usually very deep and " oily " on the surface. Upon such 
 occasions as these, when it is well-known that the fish rise in a perpen- 
 dicular manner at the fly, the method of presenting it differs from the 
 orthodox fashion. The cast is made in the usual way, but, in playing the 
 fly, instead of the motion of the rod being of a steady backward and 
 forward character, it is a quick up and down movement. The point of 
 the rod vibrates with a rapidity of beat equal to about double that of a 
 man's pulse. It is not held pointing to where the fly fell, but is brought 
 round at a pace corresponding with that of the fly in its course, the up 
 and down movement being continued throughout. This compels the fly 
 
408 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 to describe an arc of a circle ; and if the Angler takes very short 
 steps no more than twelve inches at a time the fish lying immediately 
 behind an upright rock are more apt to rise in twenty feet of water 
 as soon as they see the lure thus played than by adopting any other 
 method. 
 
 Of course, if a very long line is necessary, the system fails to have 
 any effect upon the fly at all ; and to meet the case, the line is seized just 
 in front of the winch and pulled rapidly backwards and forwards while the 
 fly is crossing the water. 
 
 We have yet another important matter to bear in mind in connection 
 with fishing places of this latter description. As soon as the fish has taken 
 the fly he does not turn, but rather drops his head and goes down as he 
 came up perpendicularly. Unless the Angler strikes at once, the fish 
 disappears like a bubble in the palm of one's hand, leaving behind only 
 the damp of disappointment. 
 
 I remember accompanying the late Lord L - to a pool on the 
 Beauly, which I was myself fishing in 1893. 
 
 "Well, have you got 'em?" he shouted inquiringly from the top of 
 the rocks to a friend engaged in the " Mare's " Catch. 
 
 "No, had five rises though, but missed every one." 
 
 " Wind up and wait till I come down," was urged in reply, and that, 
 too, by one of the best Salmon-anglers it has ever been my privilege to 
 Jieet. 
 
 On reaching the bottom and learning how matters stood from " Auld 
 .Allan" a servant with then 40 years or more experience, and who yet 
 lives to relate the story himself directions were given to strike directly 
 after the rise. 
 
 " I never strike my fish, but 
 
 " Then you'll never catch 'em here, that's certain," Lord L 
 remarked in a friendly tone. 
 
 But a promise to try the experiment was given, with the result that 
 three Salmon soon lay on the bank before us. Others, I forget how many, 
 were secured afterwards. 
 
 For the rest, there is very little that calls for particular notice in 
 rapids. Our attention will now be directed towards matters relating to 
 
STBIKING. 409 
 
 fishing generally, and of these I purpose dealing first with the question of 
 striking Salmon. Let us then ask ourselves once more the object we 
 have in view at the time when a Salmon rises and takes the fly. Our 
 object, surely, is to hook the fish with as little risk as possible. 
 
 This branch of our subject is so important that I shall venture to 
 intrude on the reader with various opinions and experiences my own and 
 those of others. In judging which system to follow, let him examine 
 closely into the principle of it, and let him be guided by the one that best 
 answers the scientific conditions of a rigid test. 
 
 The operation of striking is conducted somewhat blindfold. What 
 chance, then, would a man have of tearing the flesh of a fish who con- 
 ducts the operation when holding his line and applying just the same 
 power for a Salmon coming towards him as for one turning down-stream, 
 against the man whose very principle secures for him absolute immunity 
 from all such danger, no matter whether he uses very much power or only 
 just enough? 
 
 The reader will form his own estimate of these things. At the same 
 time, I feel bound in these pages to recommend the system I adopt myself 
 from the simple fact that, after years of practice, it has proved by far the 
 most remunerative and economical both in time and tackle. 
 
 Much has been said and written of striking Salmon. We have had 
 ardent votaries of no striking, of strong striking, and of modified methods. 
 Of the no strikers I say nothing, considering them out of court, beyond 
 conversion, outside argument, and of that honest perversity of the twelfth 
 juror who damned the other eleven " obstinate asses" who would not 
 agree with him. Of the strong strikers and the moderates, it is, perhaps, 
 best to think that ambiguous language is accountable for most of the 
 differences which separated them during the wordy contests that have 
 filled so many newspaper columns. 
 
 In point of fact, I have not observed in practice much difference in 
 the striking manners of my friends, amongst whom are open advocates of 
 the strong and moderate fashion of embedding the hook. What the 
 strong striker practised and advocated as "strong," the moderate striker 
 practised and advocated as " moderate " ; and the very mildest-mannered 
 Angler seemed, when he felt the fish, to " put the iron in " with as much 
 
410 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 vigour and bitter purpose as the good fellow who blustered for strength in 
 half a dozen sporting papers. 
 
 Unless one sees what takes place it is impossible to be certain what a 
 Salmon has done in taking your fly. At least, it is generally impossible 
 to form an exact conclusion, and so act on it as to send your message 
 through rod and line to the hook in his mouth before you have felt him. 
 Then is the time to put the barb home. Human nature instructs us to 
 do so, just as instinct tells us to pull up a stumbling horse than leave it 
 to take its chance of falling. 
 
 Frankly, I never came across that sweet, gentle creature that hesitated 
 to " raise his rod " at the golden moment when he felt the fish. 
 
 Five and forty years ago that fine Irish Angler, " Ephemera," wrote: 
 " My general rule is not to strike at a Salmon until I feel him." 
 
 And this is mine, too, with these further conditions, namely, when a 
 fish makes a long rush at a fly and remains stationary ; when he takes me 
 on the edge of a sharp-running stream and just wriggles sideways into an 
 eddy ; and when he seizes the fly and I know that he comes on with it 
 towards me. On these occasions I never wait for him to turn. No. 1 
 happens in the Spring of the year in still, bright water ; No. 2 occurs in 
 very hot weather ; and we meet with No. 3 at any time with a very large 
 fish. In each case it comes to downright skill in striking at the proper 
 moment, for in the next the fish will be gone not because he breaks the 
 tackle, for if he is not " hit," he will not have had the opportunity of 
 testing it. 
 
 In continuing the paragraph, " Ephemera " suggests that every man 
 is nervous at the beginning of the year, and asks the oldest among us 
 whether they do not lose many a fish by their " precipitation in striking." 
 
 The question, be it said, was put in those days when the old-fashioned 
 winches were in use, and the dismal practice of holding the line prevailed. 
 In these days such an idea would never enter a man's head. If Anglers, 
 either young or old, are worried with weak nerves, I rather fancy they 
 would err, not so much in proceeding with blind haste, but in using un- 
 necessary strength. And yet any such error as that would, as I say, make 
 no difference whatever under the principle of striking which I uphold, for 
 I have never seen the tackle broken yet or the hooks make much of a 
 
STRIKING. 411 
 
 tear. Of course, if a man strikes too soon, be the principle what it may, 
 his chance would be at a very low premium indeed. 
 
 Next comes a very pretty idea which " Ephemera " modestly declines 
 to account for. 
 
 " I frequently strike," says he, " and hook fish without, as far as I can 
 conceive, any premeditation or calculation, but almost by instinct. 
 Something I cannot tell what tells me that a fish is ' at ' me, and 
 consequently I am promptly at him in the sly way he has come at me." 
 
 I make a low bow to Ephemera who, indeed, would not ? but as to 
 " cannot tell what," I am strongly of the opinion, he had in mind " that 
 boil," which, breaking the surface yards from one's fly rarely escaped his 
 notice and gave him the hint. 
 
 Some authors seem to consider that the most dangerous moment is in 
 striking. This is all very well ; but they go on to say that " it requires 
 much patience to use just force enough to bury the barb without tearing 
 the flesh or breaking the gut trace." What better evidence could 
 be offered of the incompleteness of the method originally in vogue ? The 
 old form of winch demanded far more caution in the Angler than those at 
 the hand of modern men. I also take exception to the statement, 
 "sometimes I am lucky sometimes very unlucky." In connection with 
 striking, there is very little room for luck and not as much for argument 
 as people have contrived to make out. Nor do I think it quite fair by 
 the fish for an Angler to fancy himself out of luck when his fly is only 
 partially taken ; there is a reason for the failure of its attempt to take 
 hold. A Salmon does not miss his aim. The fly from some cause 
 or other has probably made him shy ; his inclination has, however, 
 already been tested ; and, had the fly been of a different sort, or size, 
 or put in a different way, the fish might have taken it into his head, 
 figuratively speaking, to " gobble " it up, instead of " nibbling " at it. 
 How often, under favourable conditions of water, have we not felt that 
 " nip," and merely " rugged " the fish in consequence ! Is this, then, 
 bad luck or bad judgment ? I hesitate to enumerate those days " when 
 fish are shy," or to blame them for want of boldness, for when the 
 water has settled, I have often but not always found by subsequent 
 trial that the fly was too large or wrongly put. I do not overlook the 
 
412 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 fact that when Catches are either very high or have fallen below a certain 
 size, fish often rise and touch the fly, yet cannot be made to take it, use 
 what pattern you may. 
 
 " I have often landed a fish so slightly hooked," says one gentleman, 
 " that, had I struck, the hold must have given way." Just so, if the 
 writer means " struck with violence," but, for all that, by my method of 
 striking, the flesh is never torn, and so" the chances in one's favour are in- 
 evitably increased.* 
 
 Another remarks : " A fish very often rises at a fly with his mouth 
 wide open, and if he is struck at, the chances are that the fly will be 
 snatched away before he has time to close his mouth/ on it, which he might 
 have done if the hand had been held steady." 
 
 With the aid of binoculars I myself watched the habits of Salmon in 
 this respect for many years. Sometimes they came with a rush, at other 
 times quite gently. In the former case, what I saw would be of no 
 practical value here, for as a matter of fact I saw next to nothing ; but I 
 have never once seen a fish come slowly with his mouth shut, or fail to close 
 his mouth on taking the fly. 
 
 Precipitation in striking has already been discussed. 
 
 In placing upon record some unusual success on the Tweed, another 
 writer observes : " For two hours I never saw so many fish hooked and 
 lost. But the Angler was somewhat successful, as he caught four, loi Ibs., 
 16^ Ibs., 19 J Ibs., and 21 J Ibs. in weight. It is the system I am anxious 
 to write in praise of." 
 
 The " system " evidently meant the system of striking ; and I fail 
 to see where the praise comes in, with such an acknowledgment of 
 fish lost. 
 
 Next I read : " Many a time have I seen my fly drop out of the fish's 
 mouth, the moment he was gaffed." 
 
 How, I would ask, can a fly drop out, after the usual battle, unless the 
 flesh is torn, or, the barb broken ? 
 
 I hope I am not wearying the reader by these quotations and opinions, 
 my object is purely to instruct, or rather to convince the novice as to the 
 
 * X.B. A Frenchman wrote : " There are clowns who kiss their sweethearts with brutality 
 a gallant gentleman will kiss his foe with delicacy." 
 
STRIKING. 413 
 
 value of the method which I adopt myself ; and I think the explanations 
 given of these cases, emanating from men of whom one or two have fished 
 almost as long as I have, will tend to further that end. One gentleman 
 considers it to be "a very bad habit " to strike a Salmon at any time. It 
 is a curious fact, but his is not the only individual case in which I have 
 had the opportunity of directly judging for myself. "Halloa! " I once said 
 to my friend whom I had been closely watching unperceived. " You hit 
 him pretty hard that time ; whatever you think you do, if you do not strike 
 I never yet saw the man who does." " Bless me," said he, " who thought 
 of seeing you ! Ah, ah ! come down here and I'll show you something as 
 soon as I have this fellow on shore." I went, to see my greatest opponent 
 fishing with my winch and a double hooked fly. How mellow that whisky 
 of his tasted ! 
 
 Let us pass to the next opinion which runs : " When striking from 
 the winch especially when fishing with large flies, if the winch is not a 
 very stiff one (which to me is an abomination) a sufficient strain on the 
 line cannot, in my opinion, be available to fix the point of the hook over 
 the barb ; and when striking with the line tightly grasped between the 
 hand and the reel, the sudden jerk and strain on the line is apt 
 to leave the fly in the fish's mouth, or smash the top of the rod ; also 
 the fly will be often snatched away before the fish has had time to 
 take hold of it, which may scare him to such a degree that he will not 
 rise again." 
 
 I can scarcely keep from my mind the idea that the writer, in this 
 instance, was joking. Still, here is the judgment of a successful Angler, 
 and I shall say no more than sufficient to place my experience of these 
 matters along with his and others for the reader's consideration. I need 
 not institute a comparison between a stiff and a free running winch just 
 now, for this, together with the crucial and exhaustive test of the 
 particular strain " available to fix the point of the hook over the barb," 
 must obviously form part of the material to work upon, in presently ex- 
 plaining my own ideas of the best methods of striking. But with regard 
 to the fly being left in the fish's mouth well, this is just one reason that 
 induced me to work out that method. Of a different order is the following 
 address, which strikes the key note of the new method and raises a point 
 
414 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 in the argument of the utmost importance. " By attending to Mr. Kelson's 
 instructions," says one who knows the advantage of the method, by 
 long practice, " I find it absolutely impossible to break the gut or line, or 
 strike too hard. The strike should be a long, firm, steady pull, but not a 
 jerk. Trout, grilse, sewin, and other species of the salmonidoe, will in- 
 stantly reject an artificial fly unless struck, and my impression is, Salmon 
 will do the same." 
 
 Then the Editor, himself an enthusiastic Fisherman, takes up the 
 cudgels, and amongst other matters of my method gratuitously re- 
 marked : " It is an infinitely better plan than striking with the line 
 held fast a number of Anglers have thanked us for suggesting the 
 system." 
 
 Now, in this contradictory business there must be a right and a wrong. 
 In the opinion of a few, the practice of striking is a mistake altogether. 
 Others insist they lose more fish when the practice is ignored, and are 
 satisfied that it is an imperative necessity. And, whilst many complain 
 bitterly of the losses sustained by the old methods of holding the line, they 
 yet sing praises in favour of the new, by which they meet with neither 
 failure nor loss of tackle. 
 
 In the light of these facts, it would appear there are two sets of 
 Anglers, whose opinions upon this vital question are widely divergent ; and 
 although I have in the past pages frankly expressed my own views, it is well, 
 in such a volume as this, to ventilate the views of opponents. It is evident 
 that one side wishes you to believe that it is unnecessary to strike at all, 
 and that if you do, you will lose tackle ; but it does not say how many fish 
 get away by leaving them to hook themselves. The other side tell you the 
 fish must be struck, that if not, many will drop the fly after taking it, and 
 that if you adopt the new method you never break the tackle or tear the 
 flesh of the fish, and so get many more to the gaff. 
 
 The former school I know get some fish ; the latter, three times as 
 many. But in the very constitutions of these two sides there is an infinite 
 variety. What is wholesome in fishing and what is the reverse, are two 
 different things, and must be estimated accordingly. The " pull," for 
 instance, and the subject of presentation, which, as foreign ingredients 
 were poison to one side, is food to the other. Not a tittle of evidence 
 
STRIKING. 415 
 
 have we from that man who can say : " I have tried Kelson's plan, it's 
 all humbug and I'll prove it." Anglers must not suffer from off-hand 
 decisions, any more than from belief in the old fetish, which, despite 
 the losses and failures of the vast majority, a few of the surviving ancients 
 keep alive. It is a pity that all the facts concerning the failures and suc- 
 cesses of each side are not honestly tabled ; and that it is not satisfactorily 
 settled what constitutes a strike and what does not. Obviously in such a 
 matter as this, sound practical knowledge is worth propagation. 
 
 Truth, be it said, is established not so much by what men say as by 
 what they prove ; but still, I should like to call attention to an early ex- 
 perience of my own in view of briefly pointing out to novices the mistaken 
 zeal of devotees to the old system and showing the real value of the new. 
 
 In the autumn 1882, when my Patent Lever Winch was first tried, I 
 managed to get with it no fewer than ninety-one Salmon without a single 
 one having its flesh torn at the hold. 
 
 Do not such results as these serve to prove that with this winch the 
 tear does not take place at the moment of striking, and, provided subse- 
 quent operations are decently performed, that it never occurs at all ? 
 However, by adopting the method made easy by this winch, I have 
 reduced in a remarkable degree the proportion of fish that used to escape 
 my " iron " gripe. 
 
 At this point I should like to ask one question : Has it not happened 
 to you and to your friend, in point of fact to all who traipse up and down 
 a Salmon river, to be startled by that well-known " tug" when least ex- 
 pected, when all hope, as it were, had been dead within you? In 
 one flash, while the thoughts are wandering, you saw, or rather felt, 
 that it was too late to strike and likewise knew that you had missed 
 a chance ! What do you say to that ! But never mind, let it pass. We 
 all know that what is past help is past grieving for. 
 
 By this time the reader will have formed a pretty true estimate of my 
 ideas, all of which, I need hardly say, are based on similar experiences to 
 those just recorded. They shall be carefully explained after bringing 
 forward one matter which, being the worst enemy to our cause, must not 
 be overlooked. 
 
 I admit to the full that, where there is no principle of personal 
 
41(5 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 benefit opposing it, the voice of the people interested in Angling questions 
 ought to prevail. But the difficulty that faced and still faces us in the 
 solution of this great problem is to clear the atmosphere of certain 
 influences arising from the filmy foundation of guesswork or business 
 interests. If we can do this it is all I intend to say on the point we 
 may be very sure that the opinions of authorised men will meet with 
 warmer fervour in Angling circles than has yet been accorded to 
 them. 
 
 Now, as a general rule, the safest and surest way of securing a fish and, 
 at the same time, of avoiding the infliction of such a wound as will render 
 the hold of the hook uncertain, is, in my judgment, to strike from the 
 Lever Winch in all cases in which the hook used does not exceed 2/0 in 
 size. That is my opinion. But as individual opinion may or may not 
 count for much, let us take an illustration with which many old hands are 
 familiar from prolonged practice themselves. 
 
 We have, for instance, two noted rivers the Lochy and the Ness 
 on which the very smallest double-hook flies are used. On both these 
 rivers it is the practice to strike. Then we have other waters, on which 
 the custom prevails of first using these tiny flies, not on Salmon, but on 
 Trout tackle. What is the result in each case? With the Salmon 
 tackle, Anglers strike and get their fair average of fish, while, 011 the other 
 hand, striking with fine drawn gut is altogether impracticable. If a man 
 strikes with it, the fish breaks " everything " instantly. The Angler has, 
 of necessity, to run his chance of the fish getting hooked, and his chance 
 is a very poor one five times in six. 
 
 Striking from the winch is to let the line have free play between the 
 winch and the hook. In other words, the line is not held by the fingers 
 as was the original practice during the operation. This method of striking 
 can only be achieved by the use of a proper winch, the lever of which the 
 Angler can regulate at his will. For rapid waters, the lever should be so 
 adjusted that the line will not overrun itself when drawn out swiftly by 
 the hand. For quieter currents it should be set somewhat tighter so 
 arranged that, in the hands of the most severe critic, the winch could not 
 be said to be " stiff." It requires very little practice to secure the desired 
 degree of the pressure of the lever, and that is the only precaution needed. 
 
STRIKING. 417 
 
 As already mentioned, it is of no importance should the Fisherman strike 
 a little hard, for the reel-plate will revolve when the hook or hooks have 
 taken hold, and so prevent any breakage of tackle. He would do best, 
 perhaps, not to be misled by the term strike to jerk the rod, but, in 
 elevating it, to give a short, upward spring of the wrist. 
 
 When the Angler is compelled to use a hook in excess of size 2/0 
 he must hold the line in slow-running waters, and strike from his fingers, 
 in order to drive in the hook over the barb. 
 
 The reason why I recommend striking from the winch where it is 
 practicable to do so, is that the force exerted is far better regulated by the 
 resistance of the properly-adjusted lever than it can be even by an expert's 
 muscles. Upon numberless occasions have I noticed that, bar accidents 
 in playing, the hooks remain intact. In playing, sometimes a fish is too 
 severely handled ; the line may be hitched up in a " snag " ; the fish may 
 run down a weir ; but the flesh is never torn, provided no inordinate 
 pressure is put on at dangerous intervals. The reader will better under- 
 stand this presently. 
 
 By the method I have recommended, a Salmon, when fairly hooked, 
 is hardly ever lost ; it either gets off at once, which shows it has been 
 merely " pricked," or is brought to bank barring other accidents over 
 which the Angler has no control. No man, for instance, can help heavy 
 fish running up-stream, and sometimes it is impossible to keep pace with 
 them. Only the other day I had one quite a hundred yards above me ; 
 but I took good care to give him his head. Had he turned and come full- 
 swing down the river and passed me here is the point the chances 
 are the line would have caught up among the boulders. In such circum- 
 stances the hooks would hardly remain intact. 
 
 I have now only to remind the novice of one other fact. He will 
 remember that, in presenting the fly to the fish, the rod is to be at a 
 certain angle down-stream during the process, for if the rod is held up in 
 the air, he cannot make that " long, firm, steady " strike, which would 
 assuredly imbed the hook without tearing the flesh of the Salmon, or even 
 that of the tender-mouthed grilse. 
 
 But it is one thing to hook a Salmon, and quite another to get it. 
 How, then, should we proceed in that direction ? 
 
 E E 
 
418 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 Playing a fish is one of the delights of an Angler's experience. It 
 calls for patience, coolness, activity, and keen perception. 
 
 Gaffing a fish when it is exhausted is exceedingly simple, and no part 
 of our business requires less practice. We will take these subjects 
 together. 
 
 The first thing to be done on hooking either a Salmon or grilse which 
 keeps below the surface of the water is to hold the rod in its raised 
 position, and while so doing, to slightly loosen the lever of the winch. 
 This is the work of a moment, and so easy in itself that all instruction is 
 dispensed with in this book. 
 
 The next thing to be done is to get on shore (if wading) as quickly as 
 possible and to keep in command as much as possible. By this I mean, 
 never to allow the fish to get away far up-stream* above you ; always to 
 follow him down-stream ; and in the event of his taking across the 
 water, to station yourself a little above him, holding the rod high in the air 
 in order to avoid the line from bellying too much in the strong current. 
 
 It is not always on hooking a Salmon that one can immediately form 
 an idea of its weight. A large fish, for instance, will reserve its strength 
 for a time ; and even for the space of several minutes will appear little 
 better than an inanimate substance. But the strain of the rod, though 
 moderate in degree at first, soon tells, and the fish will give vent to its 
 fury in grand impetuous runs and bursts. On the other hand, a small 
 Salmon will often make off hurriedly down-stream, and lead you to 
 suppose he is " that monster " which you have been so anxious to catch. 
 
 But it would be idle to speculate as to the precise treatment that 
 may be required in either case ; the Angler is towed along by events and 
 deals with facts as they present themselves. Best assured there will be 
 plenty of matter for consideration, and probably I am not far wrong in 
 asserting that the first cause for anxiety will proceed from " the leap for 
 life." In this instance, however, the Angler already understands the 
 absolute necessity of slackening line by dropping the rod point as quickly 
 as possible, and instantly recovering it when the plunge or somersault is 
 
 * N.B. Although turning a fish's head down-stream that he may be choked quickly is 
 an advantage to be got best when he is above the Angler, dangers resulting from that position 
 are so grave and numerous that I cannot recommend it being sought for. 
 
PLAYING. 419 
 
 over. He is also prepared for a " fit of the sulks," as I have termed it 
 elsewhere, as well as for a " stone-grubber " and a " dancer." 
 
 Perhaps the chances of success are more remote in the case of a 
 Salmon which, having run up or down stream, makes directly towards 
 the Angler. In these circumstances the object is to recover slack line. 
 Every available precaution should be taken in this, especially at those 
 Catches where the bed of the river is rendered foul by rocks or boulders. 
 Sometimes I hasten towards the "slack," so as to wind in line as fast as 
 possible. If, however, the ground on land or in water is shallow and 
 free from obstruction, it is better to walk back into the field, straight away 
 from the fish, and reel up with all possible speed. The next dangerous 
 moment in one's endeavour to prevent the flesh being torn comes when 
 the fish starts off again, puts his head down and his tail up, making good 
 use of it by " smacking " the line as he goes. Held' lightly, and he will 
 soon give up this " kicking." 
 
 Let me deal with another source of danger. It so happens, and not 
 unfrequently either, that, manage a wild fish how one may, the line will 
 catch in something or other quite on the bed of the river. I am talking 
 now of a fish running down-stream. The plan is to get above the 
 unlucky spot, letting out line, and the moment the run terminates, with 
 the upper hand holding the rod and line, pull quickly from the winch a 
 few yards, raise the rod, and switch the line out beyond the mischief, 
 when the chances are that you will very soon find yourself in command 
 again. It is only too well known that some people will stand and pull 
 at the part caught up, and the best advice I can think of to 'give is that 
 classical hint vouchsafed to persons on the brink of matrimony 
 "Don't." 
 
 The one great thing to bear in mind is " to be easy with him in his 
 frantic movements," and to show him the butt, putting on pressure 
 gradually, when the usual signals of distress exhibit themselves. And 
 should circumstances prohibit you at any time from following your fish 
 while the line on the winch is running short, to fearlessly and suddenly 
 drop the point of the rod; for remember the more you pull at "a runaway 
 horse " the more he " gallops." 
 
 The student will not fail to remember this expedient in the case of a 
 
 EE 2 
 
420 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 fish showing signs of taking down a fall or a weir, or making for a 
 snag. 
 
 Although gaffing an exhausted fish is an extremely simple business, 
 in this, as in all other matters, there are many ways, of which one is 
 undeniably the best. 
 
 The motto I adopt is that of the poacher, for, short and simple as it 
 is, it contains the whole philosophy of the matter " Gaff him and get 
 him." From that man of metal and determination I learnt nearly all 
 that can be learnt. He makes opportunity rather than takes it, and not 
 without immediate advantage to himself. As a gillie he is slow to act 
 when haste is not imperative, but swift and prompt en emergency. 
 
 Of the many ways advocated, the usual one directs you to " wait and 
 put the gaff in the shoulder of the fish," but exception must be taken to 
 this notion, if only by reason of the frequent disappointments it inflicts 
 upon Anglers. No good purpose can be served by invariably waiting for 
 such a favourable opportunity. Such advice seems to me to be an 
 elaborate practical joke. As soon as the hook has lost its hold and the 
 fish wriggles away from sight and danger, there shall you behold the man 
 who waits, and a pretty object he is truly when he has had his chance and 
 lost it, and stands contemplating vacancy with a philosophic gaze ! 
 
 Nevertheless, Prudence must be the watch-word of the gaffer in 
 attendance. For instance, he must be most careful to avoid too close 
 acquaintanceship between the gaff and the fishing line. He must keep out 
 of sight of the fighting fish. He must finally plant himself on a favourable 
 spot where the deed may be most safely accomplished, and, without 
 delay stoop or sit down, holding the gaff deep down in the water, for 
 it matters not one jot whether the gaff be used from below or above 
 the fish. 
 
 The preliminaries over, the duty of the Angler is not to haul the tired 
 fish directly towards the gillie, but to bring it broadside on, and to gently 
 lower the point of the rod at the very moment " that bold stroke, which 
 should never fail," is given. 
 
 At that very moment, the expert gillie will reveal to spectators the 
 one great secret of ultimate success, which is this. The instant the gaff 
 is inserted, the wrist must be turned to prevent the fish taking undue 
 
GAFFING. 
 
 421 
 
 liberties. If it is heading towards the bank the back of the gaffer's hand 
 is sharply turned towards the head of the fish ; if heading from the bank, 
 the back of the hand is as sharply turned towards its tail and then the gaff 
 
 holds hard and fast. And, 
 with the remark that the 
 fish should be immediately 
 dragged in the water and not 
 lifted out of it, but little 
 more need be said on the 
 subject. 
 
 We have, however, yet to 
 consider the modus operandi 
 of the unattended Angler. 
 To this particular class, I 
 myself belong, when lumbago 
 (which offers considerable 
 impediment to free action) 
 does not trouble ine. 
 
 My two-foot-two gaff is 
 all I require, though some- 
 times, but not often, I find 
 occasion for the other joints 
 belonging to it. The ring 
 (seen in the illustration) is 
 hooked on to a swivel, which 
 is sewn on to the top of the 
 waders under the left elbow. 
 
 In my opinion, this is by 
 far the best contrivance for 
 carrying the gaff. Here we 
 have a double piece of thick 
 leather, forming a sheath 6J 
 
 THK GAFF. 
 
 inches long, 4i broad at the 
 head, the two sides of which 
 are closely and firmly sewn 
 together. The face is a hollow 
 tube (for the point of the 
 gaff) about the size of a two- 
 shilling piece, into which is 
 fitted a champagne cork en- 
 larged in bulk, by previous 
 soaking in water. A tack is 
 fixed through the leather and 
 into the cork on each side of 
 the tube, out of the line of 
 the gaff-point, to keep the 
 cork firmly in place. There is 
 the gaff and the 6i in. leather 
 socket through which the 
 handle passes. At bottom is 
 a button with a slot across 
 its head. This button is 
 made of steel or brass to fit 
 into steel or brass sockets 
 which are fixed at each end 
 of the thin malacca handle. 
 Steel is decidedly the most 
 reliable and the most durable. 
 For the sake of balance it is 
 necessary to attach the little 
 
 " dee " (a sort of half hoop, 
 as used in dog collars, and in shape like the letter D), so as to measure 
 2$ inches from the top of its round head to the bottom of the leather 
 sheath. A piece of leather is passed through the white metal "dee," 
 
422 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 folded, and sewn to the sheath in a way that allows it to have free 
 play in the fold. The straight side of the metal "dee" which I use 
 measures f inch. The leather sheath is stitched not at the back part of 
 the socket but in front, facing the cork, and in continuation of the stitching 
 between the socket and cork. The gaff and sheath may be obtained at 
 Winchester, by applying to G. Holland. But after a long bout of fishing, 
 in summer when every ounce weighs- a pound, when days are long and 
 rivers low, it is a treat to carry a gaff that weighs no more than your 
 watch or, perhaps, even your purse. And so I use the " Summer Gaff," 
 which is made on the same principle and is also supplied to Anglers by 
 Hancock & Co. ; and by Farlow & Co. 
 
 For convenience in gaffing from high banks, I have two short 
 extra joints which, when screwed together, measure in all 5 feet. 
 But in wading, these are quite unnecessary ; and once only, in several 
 years of office, has the third joint been put into requisition. 
 
 I really fail to understand why " so much practice," to quote from 
 many well-known authorities" is essential to the making of a good 
 gaffer." I found it as easy to gaff my first Salmon when a boy as I did 
 my last towards the close of the past year. 
 
 I do not deny that a little skill is needed, first to bring the Salmon to 
 the. gaff, and then for the Fisherman himself to fix him and take him 
 ashore in dignified fashion. He should be careful not to wind in too 
 much line. The rod should not be bending down over the fish, but held 
 well up above it, so that the point can be lowered with effect if the struggle 
 be resumed. After such experience with two or perhaps three fish, what 
 is there to learn ? I really do not know. 
 
 The Angler will soon find the advantage of not standing in very 
 shallow Water to secure his fish,* and of dropping the point of the rod 
 when the gaff takes hold. He will, moreover, soon learn to feel as much 
 at home with the fish in gaffing it as in playing it. 
 
 It would be ridiculous to assert than a man can gaff his own fish in 
 as short a time^as his gillie for him ; but being stationed well in the 
 
 * N.B. So short a length of line is obviously needed to hold the fish under the rod, and 
 so often will the fish make from there a little detour before it is all over with him, that unless 
 the "treble' 1 is married to", the line (as described elsewhere), so that the jointure runs freely 
 through the rod rings, the fish will often reap the benefit. 
 
GAFFING. 
 
 423 
 
 water, it is sometimes curious how quickly he is enabled to perform 
 the operation for himself, especially when he can raise the head of 
 
 CORRECT METHOD. 
 
 the fish doing nothing a little out of water, and so prevent it from 
 seeing him. From the bank the operation takes longer single-handed. 
 
424 
 
 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 As most of us know, the gaff is prohibited at certain seasons, and the 
 net takes its place. The one I have is made of silk, and came from Garden's 
 establishment in Aberdeen. But I will describe and illustrate a more 
 recent invention in the next chapter. 
 
 There is no good excuse why the Angler should be bothered with a 
 
 INCOEEECr METHOD. 
 
 net in Springtime, and there isstilllessjustificationfordeprivinghimof the 
 gaff. Undoubtedly the gaff is "too much" for an old kelt which can 
 hardly " put one leg before the other " too much for nine in ten of 
 them. So is the net. Kelts fight hard, and rarely rally after a good 
 set-to, even when "tailed." So much the better for all the good they 
 may do, as distinct from all the harm they will do. I never gaff them 
 
THE " INSTRUMENT OF SATISFACTION." 425 
 
 when I can avoid it, but I always take the gaff when the law permits, for, 
 in my opinion, notwithstanding the prejudices of many precious re- 
 formers, we have nothing to supersede it ; and I am not afraid to add 
 that there is no one thing in Salmon-fishing whereof the uses to human 
 life are yet thoroughly understood. Facts, however, clearly point to the 
 inference that the " instrument of satisfaction " is not productive of the 
 cruelty people would have us believe ; for, on breaking away in his final 
 struggle for life, a fresh-run fish never " keeps the wound green." Even 
 in the very next pool, on the very next day, he will rise as readily as ever 
 and take the fly he wants. (See exceptional case mentioned on p. 382.) 
 
 I hate cruelty to animals, so do all true sportsmen ; and, deeply as 
 all humane hearts would deplore the infliction of unnecessary pain to the 
 fish, the present method of "getting and securing " by means of the gaff, 
 leaves in my mind little to be desired in the matter alike of humanity, 
 suitability, and economy of time. If the fish suffer much, which is 
 questionable, for they are cold blooded creatures, is it not rather in de- 
 priving them of their native element ? But against that same, a very 
 big contra account is to be framed, and the student of angling can quite 
 depend on my vote for both catching and gaffing when he can. 
 
 However, another weapon has recently been introduced, and of this 
 Land and Water says : 
 
 " We commend to the notice of our readers Crawshay's improved patent fish 
 lander, of which the sole manufacturers are Messrs. Holbrow & Co., 40, Duke 
 Street, St. James's. Some of the special advantages the inventor claims, are the 
 following: (1) The fish is not damaged as with a gaff, so that no mistake can 
 possibly be made with a kelt. (2) It is much easier to use than a gaff, which 
 latter instrument inevitably requires a certain amount of practice. (3) The fish 
 once snared can be carried anywhere by the tail over sand or high rocks, and has 
 no power to kick. (4) This lander is far superior to any net, for the man who is 
 fishing can use it himself as easily as a gaff, and there is nothing for the tackle to 
 get entangled in, as with a net. This is an especial desideratum as regards prawn 
 and minnow fishing, and would save much vexation where pike have to be got rid 
 of in all cases. (5) It can be carried like a gaff, and is also made to screw into 
 any landing net handle. These are a few of the advantages of Crawshay's patent 
 improved fish lander. 
 
 "Slip the noose over the fish's tail, behind the dorsal fin, not in front of it, and 
 a sharp jerk upwards to the full length of the wire secures the fish." 
 
42G THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 How to wade is a subject upon which I desire to say a few words. 
 
 Wading requires much practice ; courage is to be desired ; but a good 
 deal may be done by rule. Some Anglers stick at nothing ; others look 
 askance at the most simple waters. The bravest, however, may run into 
 danger unforeseen. 
 
 In my youth, if I may say so, I was a strong wader and never con- 
 sulted the interests of " Number one." But now I am prepared with an 
 Alpenstock, for, like other seniors, I am compelled to reduce these matters 
 to the humble level of personal safety. It was only a few years since, 
 that I had a very narrow escape one which comes back in my dreams. 
 To the question, " Well, what have you done ? " " Done ? " I replied to 
 my friend on returning home that evening, " I've had a ducking, smashed 
 my rod, lost a fish, and nearly lost my life as well ! " 
 
 It happened in this way. 
 
 I had left my friend to perambulate open pools, and made tracks 
 down river for a cast over a favoured spot, which invariably held a fish. 
 Oak trees spreading their boughs, compelling one to wade out upon a 
 huge flat rock, some three yards from shore, fringed the water. A 
 previous experience reminded me of the difficulty in reaching the rock, 
 owing to the strength of the water. On arriving at the Catch, fancying 
 the water too high, I " threw out a feeler," by trying my luck in waders 
 only. Although the water came no higher than my knees, it splashed 
 above my shoulders ; but still I went to the rock and back without being 
 " taken in." So I dressed, and, with rod in hand this time, soon set foot 
 on terra-firma and began operations with a rather gaudy Grub. After the 
 third cast, up went the rod and down went the fish with about thirty yards 
 of line, no more. It meant an hour's work to remain where I was, for, 
 though the fish was not large, the force of the water put all chance of 
 bringing it to the gaff out of the question ; therefore, I waited for a 
 favourable opportunity and made for the shore. Just at the critical 
 moment, splash, dash that spirit-stirring sight and sound the Salmon 
 shot up river, and checked me to such a extent that my foot missed its 
 aim and in I went. In the twinkling of an eye, I saw the perilous position 
 facing me. The waters dashed under a huge rock and took me with them. 
 My rod hitting the head of it snapped in two as though it were only a 
 
A DANGEROUS POSITION. 427 
 
 lucifer match, and left me engulfed beneath. Fortunately, I went legs 
 first and was able to take breath now and again as the waters receded. 
 At last by a supreme effort I kicked myself out, and coming breast first 
 across the head of the rock, scrambled up to the top of it, and, breathless 
 and beaten, stepped over the dry boulders below, and reached land more 
 dead than alive. Two gentlemen fishing a little lower down came to my 
 assistance, and, disarranging my battle array, I, looking like our parents 
 before the Fall, ran in amongst the heather and into a perfect glow. 
 Deep draughts of Highland air and whisky soon put me on my legs again ; 
 and after a merry laughing and chaffing time, I went more soberly 
 to work, and felt none the worse for a good ducking and a good 
 drink. 
 
 Our learning is just one of those pleasures we can never exhaust ; the 
 very practice of our vocation gives us strength to dare and to endure ; and 
 occasionally the greatest craftiness can be traced back to the poorest 
 beginnings in wading over the roughest track to the " seat of war." 
 
 Some profit, perhaps, may be drawn from the incident recorded. It 
 is, however, manifestly impossible for any novice to follow in safety the 
 footprints of others. 
 
 Take, for instance, your big, black-browed, lusty Fisher-fellow, up to 
 every wrinkle, and what chance have you in competition with him ? Not 
 that he is really web-footed, you know, but this sturdy don, this amphi- 
 bious professor, spends the best part of his life breast high in water. Of 
 course, you have no chance at all, whatever be your height and strength ', 
 yet even a giant could not support himself as easily, nor make such head- 
 way as a weak-knee'd but practised dwarf he (the giant) being ignorant 
 of the business, and relying solely upon his strength. 
 
 Much may depend upon the material and make of your waders and 
 brogues. I find " Sateen" the best material for the former, and get mine 
 made by the North British Eubber Co. For years I have used the 
 largest hob-nails, and I carry an "iron foot" for convenience in knocking 
 the nails in or out. This useful adjunct was bought at Moody's, Queen 
 Street, Eamsgate. But there are better nails than these for very slippery 
 districts, though they soon wear down. They are made of steel, square 
 headed, filed on the face crossways ; the four corners being somewhat 
 
428 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 pointed, after the fashion of an ice nail. They screw into the sole with 
 nearly half-inch projecting. I used to make these myself, and found I 
 could stand firmly on almost any rock. 
 
 Many prefer boots to shoes. I much prefer the latter, and get them 
 made with soles three-quarters of an inch thick by Cording, of Piccadilly. 
 The Norwegian " Kimagas " he makes are fashionable at the present 
 time. The forepart of these wading boots is constructed of one piece of 
 material, built so high that all pressure on the feet is avoided. 
 
 To this must be added the farther consideration that from ill-health, 
 accident, or advance of years, many Anglers are incapacitated from 
 wading. A really comfortable leather boot, watertight, is such an indis- 
 pensable article that I never lose an opportunity of recommending the 
 " Wye Boot," which is made by Hatton Brothers, of Hereford. Mine 
 have been in wear since July, 1885 (nine seasons), and are still soft and 
 sound. I dress them with Griffin's Preservative (Beading) and use them 
 only when fishing from the bank. In dry, hot weather I wear the High- 
 land brogues, made at Aberdeen by Lorimer and Son. Nothing, in my 
 opinion, could be more comfortable. 
 
 Not the least important item among other matters in wading is "to 
 keep ourselves dry," and so long as we do not trip or stoop, there is little 
 to fear on this score. Nor need the student be alarmed by the common 
 report which is current in regard to swimming in waders. I have been 
 out of my depth many a time, and, except that the pace was naturally 
 impeded, I have been fortunate enough never once to be troubled by the 
 sensation of my head going down and my legs coming up. 
 
 In crossing a ford, the impetus of the water generally varies ; in one 
 moment it may be pressing us hard, while in the next, yet in the same 
 spot, it is comparatively easy to stand against. The directions here are 
 very simple to follow. You cannot take too short steps if the current 
 runs fast, and before each one, firmly plant the Alpenstock in front, 
 down-stream, somewhat in advance. A little presence of mind is worth 
 any amount of muscle. 
 
 The next rule to be studied is to dig one foot in before moving the 
 other. Press the foot firmly down and force it as it were while so doing 
 to the right and then to the left to " dig " the nails in, when you will 
 
WADING. 429 
 
 finally ascertain that they will not give way ; then, and not until then, 
 you raise the hind foot. 
 
 Always keep the legs fairly wide apart ; this will give you a 
 firmer balance ; and never on any consideration face or turn your 
 back directly up-stream, unless you are certain you can do so with 
 impunity. 
 
 In getting back up-stream from deep water, take short steps side- 
 ways. Step over, or on one side of boulders, do not tread on them if 
 you can possibly avoid it. 
 
 Constantly look up river in order to be prepared for any floating 
 debris. And remember the one great secret in the case of quick-sand or 
 gravel, namely, always to clear away the material with the gaff behindyou 
 and take your foot out heel first. 
 
 It is generally believed that wading is injurious to health, but I am 
 convinced this depends upon circumstances. In my opinion, the early 
 spring is not detrimental to health, provided the Angler so dresses as not 
 to feel the cold water in the least degree. 
 
 He may require, besides flannel drawers, long stockings reaching to 
 the thigh, and having straps at top and bottom. The upper straps button 
 to the trousers under the waistcoat ; the lower ones fixed on each side of 
 the stockings fit under the feet and so prevent any working up the leg. 
 No ; it is in the height of summer that a wader suffers, unless he con- 
 stantly takes the precaution of airing his waders. Too strict a regimen 
 would undoubtedly be wearisome ; but, in this case, if the damp, which 
 escapes freely from our bodies in warm weather, is forced back upon the 
 pores of the skin, it is far from pleasant, anything but wholesome, and 
 man be very injurious to health. 
 
 ^Vhile upon this subject, I may be allowed to add my experience 
 in regard to the Anglers fishing dress. I need not enter into 
 particulars for a complete outfit, but lightness for summer, and 
 warmth for spring and autumn, are the chief characteristics to be 
 studied. 
 
 The proper get-up for fishing, nowadays, is very different from what 
 it was in times gone by, when any old morning coat was brought out for 
 the purpose. We were satisfied then by tucking the tails inside the 
 
430 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 waders and wearing the braces outside. But this plan prevented ven- 
 tilation, and had the effect of almost doubling the work. 
 
 Twenty years ago, I introduced into use a short jacket to wear outside 
 both waders and braces ; but it was not perfected until Eice Brothers, of 
 Bond Street, took the matter in hand. The original coat was a comfort 
 in many ways, but it still hampered us in casting, which the new one 
 does not. Perhaps any coat would show creases when the arms are 
 raised, but the pleats put in front and behind the improved garment are 
 so well arranged, that they open and shut, like a concertina, with each 
 motion of the wearer, who is perfectly free and easy in any position taken 
 up. The results are decidedly satisfactory. 
 
 Perhaps my favourite fishing jacket is of homsepun a material to be 
 had in various patterns by applying to Miles, of Hanover Street, Bond 
 Street. 
 
 A perfect forest of hands will, at any rate, be held up in favour of 
 wearing the wading braces underneath, thereby rendering the Angler more 
 at liberty for all arm and muscular action. The Angler will please 
 himself as to length, I have mine reaching over the waders about 
 1 inches. He would scarcely credi't the difference between the restriction 
 of the old plan and freedom of the new. I use the musculine pronoun, 
 but " he " is very often of the gentler sex. Ladies delight in Salmon- 
 fishing after the fatigue of London gaieties, and hardly ever give it up 
 when once the taste is acquired. But it would be no easy task for me to 
 write a description of ladies' costume, which would make the heart of 
 woman glad. 
 
 " The Princess of Wales and her daughters," says the Daily 
 Telegraph, " are enthusiastic and skilful wielders of the Salmon rod." 
 
 " Their Eoyal Highnesses believe in wearing light, warm, tweed 
 dresses for fishing, made of the natural homespun, which retains its 
 natural capacity for resisting rain, the oil not being extracted from 
 the wool before it is woven. Gowns made with skirts to the ankle, 
 loosely fitting coats and blouses, are the kind of garments which these 
 Eoyal ladies usually wear for fishing, with stout Balmoral boots made 
 with low broad heels, and soft felt or tweed hats to match their 
 dresses. 
 
THE COSTUME OF ROYALTY. 431 
 
 A more elaborate get-up for fishing consists of a short skirt of tweed 
 bound deeply round the hem with porpoise hide, and worn over 
 knickerbockers. This is made so that it can be buttoned right up, 
 forming a sort of fishwife skirt, and furnished with a big pocket for fly- 
 book and tackle. The coat is of tweed, with lapels and cuffs of porpoise 
 hide, and it is bound with this leather-like substance and furnished with 
 many pockets ; for the ardent Fisherwoman likes to have everything she 
 may require at hand, and yet cannot be hampered with much impedi- 
 menta, while the attendant gillie's many duties necessitate his being left 
 fairly free handed. If it is necessary to wade, so as to cast over a 
 favourite hole, waterproof over-all fishing boots can be put on ; but, as a 
 rule, this is not found needful ; and few ladies use them. A high-legged 
 pair of porpoise-hide boots and thick woollen stockings are usually 
 deemed sufficient, as, if a Fisherwoman must get wet, she will soon walk 
 herself dry again. When a Salmon is hooked, the excitement of playing 
 the fish, humouring him, and gradually exhausting him, until he can 
 be brought near his fate, in the shape of the murderous gaff, wielded 
 by the skilful gillie, is an experience of the most absorbing description, 
 and many a fair Fisherwoman has been known to cry from dis- 
 appointment when her finny prey has jerked away the cast and flies and 
 been lost to her for ever. In thinking out a suitable dress for fishing, it 
 is always well to remember that a few very hot hours may be experienced, 
 though these can seldom be propitious for the sport. It is, therefore, well 
 to wear a thin blouse under the warm tweed coat, so that the latter can 
 be handed over to the gillie when extra exertion or the sun's rays induce 
 too great warmth. If the skirt is not of a nature to loop up and form a 
 large pouch, a belt with a satchel is found useful for a long day. The 
 luncheon must.be easily portable, and is usually confided to the attendant, 
 but most women, knowing the strain that such continued exertion 
 imposes, carry nourishment in a compressed form, furnishing their 
 pouches or satchels with frame-food tablets, or meat lozenges, or such 
 things as they most approve for the purpose, besides a small flask of 
 sherry or claret in their own possession, as it would be awkward to want 
 food or drink on one side of a stream with the attendant carrying it on 
 the other. For loch fishing, a waterproof skirt and cape are often most 
 
432 
 
 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 useful, as there the exertion is confined to casting, and showers must be 
 defied. It would be bad, too, to have to wait to dry without keeping 
 up the heat of the body by exercise. The danger of an unporous 
 waterproof is in putting it on over slightly moist clothes, and so driving 
 the damp in, and also in wearing it, while walking, and preventing 
 necessary exhalation from the body. Many people have the tweeds which 
 
 THE KELSON COAT. 
 
 they wear for fishing slightly waterproofed without interfering with 
 the ventilating quality of the material ; but there is no doubt that the 
 natural wet-resisting element in the wool of the sheep is the best, and 
 homespuns undyed, and, as far as possible, in their oily condition, are 
 the safest wear when exercise has to be taken. It should be remembered 
 
WADING SOCKS. 433 
 
 that, for this pursuit, nothing is so safe to put on as wool, and that 
 even the cool blouse, which is pleasant for hot hours, should be of thin 
 flannel." 
 
 My own waterproof over-jacket is made by Field, of Piccadilly, 
 London. It is about two inches longer than the under-jacket. The cloth 
 consists of a light-brown Scotch tweed, thoroughly waterproof. The 
 jacket is ventilated across the back by means of a cape which gives 
 freedom to the arms for casting. False cuffs are provided to prevent 
 rain-water running up the wrists, and there are two large inside pockets. 
 In weight, it is very light, yet the coat lasts for several seasons. 
 
 I have often heard complaints made, and not without just cause, of 
 men's wading socks. I ask for nothing better than a sock made of the 
 wool called " abb." It is sold at the Marine Stores, 34, York Street, 
 Ramsgate, and is very thick and durable. I generally get 2 Ibs. at a time, 
 and send it to the Steward, Grangegorman Prison, Dublin, together with 
 a pattern ; this amount of material is sufficient for three pairs of socks, 
 the cost of which in the aggregate is about 1/3 per pair. They last for 
 years. 
 
 GLOSSAEY OF TEEMS AND EXPRESSIONS. 
 
 Maiden pools are Catches not previously fished on the day in question. 
 
 Fresh days are mild days. 
 
 Inspection is a term used when a fish has followed, or been stirred by 
 
 a fly. 
 
 Presentation, presenting the fly to the fish. 
 Hand-lining, playing a fish by holding the line. 
 Catch. A Catch is a pool, stream, flat, or rapid ; but a catch (with a 
 
 small c) is one of the number of actual lay-byes in the Catch. 
 Oily waters. The surface of the water smooth. 
 The Pull. See illustration and explanation, page 35. 
 
 F F 
 
484 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 CHAPTEE VIII. 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS. 
 
 SILKWORM GUT. 
 
 ALTHOUGH to-day forgotten, one, William Hay, who represented the 
 ancient town of Seaford in the House of Commons in the year 1734, 
 deserves our remembrance for introducing Silkworm Gut into this 
 country. What it cost then I do not know, but the question of price in 
 these days need not be seriously considered. The investment of a little 
 extra money in the best sample invariably brings its own reward. I get 
 mine at Kamsbottom's establishment, Market Street, Manchester. 
 
 But although Fishermen are grievously conscious of the present 
 depression in the trade and entertain fears, not altogether unfounded, of 
 the supply in future,* yet very few understand the several processes by 
 which the silkworm is developed, or by what methods the gut is produced. 
 This of itself offers occasion for a few particulars, which may be of 
 interest, before pronouncing upon the respective qualities of gut, its 
 choice and management. 
 
 When we come to consider that the luscious leaf of the mulberry is 
 the staple food of the silkworm, it is not surprising that the insects 
 thrive most in localities where the trees grow best. In the province of 
 
 * I think this depression would pass away if young mulberry trees were forced under 
 glass to bring forth their leaves earlier in theseason than those out of doors. The season for 
 them is later in the South than it used to be. 
 
CUT. 
 
 435 
 
 Murcia mulberry trees are innumerable. So thoroughly does the 
 Spanish climate and soil suit them, that for richness and abundance of 
 tender and succulent foliage they cannot be surpassed. 
 
 MR. SAMUEL ALLCOCK S MANUFACTORY AT MURCIA. 
 
 Looking from the Cathedral tower in the town of Murcia (the capital 
 of the province) the eye surveys miles of country closely dotted with a 
 countless number of little houses surrounded by plantations of mulberry 
 
 F F 2 
 
436 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 trees. The inhabitants, for the most part, devote their time to the 
 rearing of silkworms, and, comparatively speaking, angling interests are 
 of minor importance to the " farmers." Murcia, however, more than 
 holds her own in the production of Salmon gut, nor is the interest of the 
 Fisherman entirely confined to this "garden" of Spain, which, in round 
 numbers, is sixteen miles in length by eight in breadth. 
 
 Sericulture is pursued in many -foreign countries. China, Japan, 
 Sicily, and the United States alike boast their silkworm manufactories, 
 the product of which, however, so far as silkworm gut is concerned, fails 
 to reach the standard of excellence usually needed for a good fight with a 
 fifteen pound fresh-run fish unless the rod is extremely lissom. 
 
 Of the various silk producing moths the Bombyx mori best serves 
 Anglers. But, by a somewhat strange coincidence, the best results 
 obtained in Murcia are not from home-bred hatchings, but from eggs, 
 first imported into the South of France, and, after development, sent 
 back to Spain. 
 
 The selection of eggs is almost a business of itself, though great 
 consideration is extended to every item of detail during incubation, 
 After the selection is made the eggs are placed at the end of the month of 
 February, but are immersed beforehand for three or four hours in water 
 at about the temperature of 50 degrees Fahr. They are spread on a 
 cloth separately, there to remain for about a week in a dry, well-ventilated 
 apartment. The temperature of this room during the first day is 60 
 degrees, during the second 62, the third 66, the fourth 68, and from the 
 fifth never higher than 70 degrees. With this attention the eggs 
 gradually darken in appearance, and the little " black-a-rnoors " come to 
 life in seven or eight days. To keep the rooms specially sweet and clean, 
 and the floors sprinkled with water to lay the dust before sweeping, are 
 the indispensable conditions of the success of the undertaking. 
 
 The various stages of the silkworm from the eggs to the silk sack 
 may be best understood by the accompanying illustrations. 
 
 1. Female moth, which lays about 200 eggs. 
 
 2. Grub three days old. 
 
 3. Worm seven days old. 
 
 4. Worm fourteen days old. 
 
FOOD OF SILKWORMS. 
 
 437 
 
 5. Worm twenty-one days old. 
 
 6. Worm Thirty days old. 
 
 7. Worm Forty-two days old, and ripe for drawing or spinning. 
 
 8. Gut sack, there being two in each worm. 
 
 8. 
 
 THE SILK-WORM. 
 
 The grub is fed upon fresh unfermented mulberry leaves, gathered 
 and conveyed daily in clean baskets. The leaves are cut up with a sharp 
 knife and well scattered over the insects. In three days, these grubs, 
 which are protected from any great change in temperature, become 
 dormant, and awake after four days' rest, when they are fed more 
 abundantly. Having now cast their first coat, they are from that time 
 called worms ; but they again become dormant. In fourteen days they 
 eat whole leaves voraciously, and sleep again. When three weeks old, 
 
438 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 the worm takes its fourth and final sleep. It eats enormously, and, after 
 casting its fourth skin, becomes restless, and soon seeks shelter for the 
 purpose of spinning. 
 
 When quite ready to spin (not an hour before or after), the worms 
 are picked up and thrown into a tub containing a strong mixture of 
 vinegar and water. They die instantly, and are allowed to remain in 
 this " pickle " for about twelve hours, so as to give a consistency to the 
 silk bags. 
 
 On taking them out of the " pickle," the worms are broken in half, 
 and the gut sacks carefully removed. The strength of the " pickle " 
 regulates the thickness of gut. Strong mixtures "render the gut short 
 and thick ; with weak mixtures, the gut is longer and thinner. If too 
 strong, the gut "pulls out " into crooked and lumpy strands. 
 
 When the gut is pulled out a process simply managed by taking 
 hold of each end and stretching it as far as it will go it is thrown down 
 upon the floor, when the extreme ends begin to curl up. Each strand is 
 covered with a thin coat called " carne." In a few days the gut is 
 collected, washed in pure water, and hung up to dry in rooms where a 
 current of air passes through freely. When thoroughly dry, the strands 
 are tied in bundles from 5,000 to 10,000, sold by weight to the merchants 
 who then remove the " carne " by a certain process discovered and made 
 known by Morris Carswell, the wholesale manufacturer of the Salmon 
 lines bearing my name. 
 
 The bundles, each of which contain one-third estriada (spurious 
 pieces), are undone, and carefully examined before the polishing process 
 takes place. The spurious pieces are or ought to be separated from the 
 superior quality, which is easily detected by the practised observer. It is 
 finally assorted, with due regard to both roundness and thickness, and 
 tied up in " hundreds " or " hanks." 
 
 The proportion of the different grades of the thicknesses varies from 
 year to year. For enumerating them, to begin with the thinnest, there 
 is Befina, Fina, Regular, Padron second, Padron first, Marana, Double- 
 thick Marana, Imperial, and Hebra. 
 
 Many and many a man has been deceived by his own estimate of the 
 quality and value of his packages. Only by a very accurate knowledge of 
 
GUT STORES. 
 
 489 
 
 what the low grades will realise, together with the faculty of close, 
 general averaging of each season's products, can the purchaser feel at all 
 confident of making a profit over the transaction. 
 
 Having been frequently asked for particulars, I have entered upon 
 
 A STORE BOOM. STANDARD WORKS, REDDITCH. 
 
 these brief details in view of meeting a long felt want ; but, perhaps, the 
 few following simple rules, which may be safely observed by the Angler, 
 who buys for himself, will not be the least interesting to the general 
 reader. 
 
440 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 Gut depends for its value in the market on length and quality. 
 Twelve-inch gut is worth quite 15 per cent, more than that measuring 
 eleven inches ; eight inch strands realise about half the price. But in 
 Salmon fishing, give me quality, be the length what it may. 
 
 The quality of the gut is determined chiefly by its freshness, colour, 
 and roundness. Fresh samples are detected by the general appearance 
 of the rough, frizzled ends. That is" to say the gut may be said to be 
 new so long as the ends are not parched and so long as they maintain a 
 clean, clear, white look about them. 
 
 With regard to the colour of new gut, we seek for a pure, pearly white, 
 and of very lustrous appearance, without the faintest sign of yellow thrown in. 
 
 Eoundness is, of course, determined by the eye and touch. By passing 
 the thumb and middle finger up and down a strand, any roughness or 
 unevenness will instantly be felt. 
 
 The best gut, however, is no more the best of gut than the best 
 cream is the best of cream. That is to say, an ordinary hank of fairly 
 good gut contains 15 per cent, of rough strands of unequal thickness ; 
 whilst the " best selected " is not only free from all rubbish, but made up 
 of silky strands without a flaw, picked from the choicest parcels. The 
 test best calculated to toll the novice good gut, though somewhat severe, 
 is to tie a single knot in a strand, which, if old and dry, will split or 
 break asunder. 
 
 I have tried various stains, and find none surpass that commonly 
 known as a smoky-blue. This can be obtained by first soaking the gut in 
 cold, soft water, and afterwards immersing it for an hour or so in a 
 tumbler of water, having one teaspoonful of Stevens's blue-black ink 
 stirred with it. But the sooner it is put away the better, for light and 
 air cripple gut considerably. The sun will soon bring out "flecks" or 
 light spots and spoil it altogether. 
 
 It is indelibly impressed on my mind that the best way to preserve 
 gut, before use, is to roll it up tightly in fresh wash-leather, tied round 
 and round with strong string. By this means of protection it will last 
 good and remain serviceable for many long years. 
 
 Before knotting Salmon gut for use, the strands should remain in 
 soft water for eight or ten hours. 
 
KNOTTING. 
 
 441 
 
 In use it is not desirable to roll up the length of single gut and put 
 it away for the night. Detach it from the treble, give the whole length 
 a good coating of mutton fat, rubbed on first from one end and then from 
 the other, and hang it to a pin by its loop. With this attention, a yard 
 of single will last good for three months hard wear, provided it is not 
 frayed by rocks or other obstacles. 
 
 KNOTTING SINGLE STRANDS OF GUT TOGETHER. 
 
 Of the various methods of making up "casts" or "traces," I find 
 the following principle of knotting the best : 
 
 Lay the ends together (pointing right and left) between the left 
 forefinger and thumb. 
 
 It may be described thus : Bend left strand back as a loop, and 
 place under left forefinger and thumb behind the strands therein held, and 
 bringing the extreme end out below the left thumb and finger. Pass end 
 over the strands and through the loop. Eepeat this, and, then holding 
 this end of the left strand and the right strand in the right forefinger 
 and thumb, draw the left strand with the left forefinger and thumb, but 
 not tight. 
 
 Turn the work round, left to right, and go through the same process 
 with the other strand. 
 
 Finally pull the strands moderately tight to bring the knots together, 
 by one short, sharp tug ; but do not pull the short ends. Cut off waste. 
 
 KNOT FOR ATTACHING GUT TO FLY LOOP. 
 
 This is easily learnt, and practised with two bits of string, say 3-in. 
 and 8-in. long respectively. 
 
442 
 
 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 Make the short bit into a loop, and take it between left forefinger 
 and the thumb, holding the loop to the right. Then, with one end of the 
 8-io. bit in right forefinger and thumb, follow this diagram. 
 
 DIAGRAM 1. 
 
 The end of the white cord having been passed through the dark cord 
 loop in the course and succession marked by the arrows, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 
 represents the first stage completed. 
 
 In the second stage, the object is to get (see diagram 2) A over and 
 round B, and then in between the white loop and dark loop at A. 
 
 This is best done by keeping the point of the left forefinger under 
 the white loop at the arrow 2, and by taking hold of B end at the arrow 
 1. Now put B end under and round, and bring it up towards you, while 
 pushing the end A with the right forefinger into its position as specified, 
 so that it lies on the fork of the dark loop, as shown in diagram 2. 
 
 DIAGRAM 2. (Showing work upside down.) 
 
 The knot is seen here as turned over and now ready to be drawn 
 taut. Hold the end A with the dark loop by the left forefinger and 
 thumb (do not turn the fly over), and pull tight the end B; but while 
 doing so push the end A towards the knot as it tightens so as to have 
 none of it to cut off. 
 
 This knot is based on rational principles ; amongst other advantages, 
 observe : 
 
 (1) The part at a acts as a pad and saves wear on gut loop. 
 
 (2) The knot is easily undone. Hold end B close up to loop and 
 
TWISTING. 443 
 
 push it to loosen the tie. If any difficulty arises, which is not likely with 
 good gut, draw out end A, and the whole falls loose. 
 
 (3) By facing tailwards the end A gathers no substance floating on 
 the water, such as leaves, &c. It is manifest that this knot is absolutely 
 secure from slipping or self -cutting ; and that a little practice will soon 
 teach ready adjustment. 
 
 TWISTING GUT FOR LOOPS OF FLIES. 
 
 In twisting gut for loops, use an ordinary twisting machine with the 
 metal pendants about one inch apart. Cut a piece of soft wood into a 
 pear shape one inch in length, three quarters of an inch in diameter, and 
 well pointed. Make three grooves along its side, equidistant, one for 
 each strand of gut to ride in as the work proceeds. Screw the machine 
 to a mantel-piece, and knot on the three lengths of gut, which should 
 have been soaking in soft, cold water for six hours. Hook on the conical 
 lead weight sold with the machine to the loosest of the three strands of 
 gut (which have been knotted together) at the bottom. Now place the 
 "pear" point upwards about one inch from the bottom in between the 
 strands. Hold the " pear " in one hand, and with the other hand turn 
 
 GUT TWISTING ENGINE. 
 
 the handle of the machine eight times; then steadily guide the "pear" 
 to the top, turning away all the time. If the "pear" is moved up too 
 soon or too quickly the twist will be loose. If it is not moved quickly 
 enough the gut will break. On reaching the top, quickly take out the 
 " pear," catch hold of the weight to prevent untwisting, and with the 
 fingers give it a few extra spins ; the effect of which has to be regulated 
 along the whole length by holding the twisted gut between the finger and 
 
444 
 
 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 thumb, and passing them somewhat firmly up and down the gut at the 
 time. Catch hold of each end of the twisted gut, stretch it and double 
 it. If not wanted for immediate use, it should be packed away in new 
 wash-leather. The tighter the gut can be twisted the better. 
 
 SPLICING MACHINE. 
 
 I know of no method of cutting the two ends of the joints of a rod, 
 so that they shall exactly overlap each other, equal to that afforded by a 
 
 
 
 r 3 ""1 
 
 
 1 <- 
 
 If 
 
 
 -i 
 
 
 ' J 
 
 ^fyf 
 
 
 J . 
 O 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 / 
 
 
 
 
 19 
 
 
 t__y r <^P ^TV to 
 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 i . a* 
 
 JO 
 
 // 
 
 
 i3l 
 
 SPLICING MACHINE. 
 
 certain splicing machine. The chief merit of the apparatus lies in the 
 fact that an amateur, with but a modest acquaintance of a plane, can 
 scarcely fail to make a splice free from imperfection. 
 
SPLICING MACHINE. 445 
 
 EXPLANATION. 
 
 1 and 2. Parallel side pieces made of oak. (Fig. 1 and end piece.) 
 
 3. Ledge to guide plane. 
 
 4. Eectangular movable arm, made of oak with vertical lever 
 motion on the axis numbered 5. 
 
 5. Iron bolt forming the axis to arm, numbered 4. 
 
 6. Screw through the side pieces and oak blocks, 19, 20. 
 
 7. Iron plates each side. Guides forming extra fixtures for rod. 
 
 8. Finish to end of oak arm. Not essential. 
 
 9. Small fixed block of wood forming adjustment. 
 
 10. Movable strip for same purpose. 
 
 11. Top and side pieces of iron clamp, with vertical motion. 
 
 12. Iron guide for vertical motion, fixed to side pieces. Fig. 4. 
 
 13. Iron cheeks carrying the clamping arrangement, and sliding in 
 the groove, 21. 
 
 14. Thumb-screw passing through cross piece with its extremity 
 working against the under-surface of the rectangular arm, 4. This screw 
 fixes the clamp in any required position. Figs. 3 and 4. 
 
 15. Screw for raising and depressing the movable rectangular 
 arm, 4. 
 
 16. Booking nut to give the necessary play to the screw. Figs. 1 
 and 4. 
 
 17. Iron plate and axis of rocking nut. Figs. 1 and 4. 
 
 18. Nut with circular motion, fixed under movable arm and holding 
 the end of the screw, 15. 
 
 19 and 20. Oak blocks holding the side pieces (see end view) an 
 equal distance apart. 
 
 21. Eecess or ledge in which the cheeks of the clamp slide. 
 
 22. Eecess to admit of the clamp sliding on the rectangular arm. 
 Fig. 2. 
 
 23. Eod in position. 
 
 24. Portion to be planed off. When the movable arm (4) has been 
 adjusted to the required angle, it is evident that corresponding surfaces 
 may be obtained with perfect accuracy for two, or as many more splice- 
 
446 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 joints that may be wanted. I find a "Jack" plane best suited to start 
 with, and a " Trying " plane for the finishing strokes. Their cutting 
 edges must be of the exact width of the movable arm (4) and they must 
 be centred so as to travel just clear of the side pieces (1) and (2). 
 
 THE FRAIL. 
 
 In this part of one's outfit the needs of the Salmon-fisher differ from 
 those of the Trout fisher. The latter can without inconvenience carry a 
 small basket slung over the shoulder ; the former requires the free 
 use of his arms, and so deposits his kit upon th"e bank. Anything in 
 the shape of bag, basket or gaff, slung over the shoulders, hampers the 
 movement of the arms, and at times may be a source of danger. 
 
 The best basket for Salmon fishing is the frail. In this everything, 
 fish included, can be carried with ease and comfort. The leather pad, 
 
 THE FKAIL. 
 
 stuffed with horsehair, rests on the shoulder and is effectual in preventing 
 soreness or even pain. 
 
 In such a basket I once carried no fewer than six Salmon over a 
 mile, and without it I must have lost my train or left the fish behind. 
 
 The frail is usually made of rushes, without lining, and can be 
 kept clean and sweet by a free use of the sponge. I prefer to use it 
 with a lining and have a very large pocket made at the back to carry 
 fly books, flask and mid-day meal. The fish are wrapt in thin waterproof 
 
CARRYING A SALMON. 
 
 447 
 
 cloth, or in ferns, long grass, or rushes. In packing it, the soft articles 
 such as socks and waders should be put on the side next the back of the 
 carrier ; brogues, gaff, etc., on the far side. 
 
 The frail is not durable, but it is cheap. The leather straps and pad 
 last for years, and can easily be removed from an old to a new basket. 
 It will be found that heavy weights can be carried in a frail with less 
 inconvenience than in any bag slung over the shoulders. 
 
 An excellent method of carrying a fish is to string it. The process is 
 simple and effective, and one I usually adopt when fishing near home. 
 
 The string is first tied together to form a loop. One end is passed 
 under the gill-cover, then out of mouth at the lower corner, over the nose, 
 in at the mouth at the opposite corner and under the far side gill. The 
 other end is then passed up through this end, under gills, and after a 
 
448 
 
 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 loop is formed quite at the other end it is passed over, around tail and 
 pulled taut. 
 
 THE "QUICKSURE" LANDING NET. 
 
 At about the time the " Summer Gaff" was introduced for me by 
 Hancock & Co., a convenient net, highly patronised by ladies, was put on 
 the market by the same firm. It is especially useful during the Grilse 
 season. Land and Water says : 
 
 " We have frequently noticed that many landing nets now in the market seem 
 rather got up for sale than to be of practical and lasting service to Anglers. A 
 very common fault is that the net is attached to the landing ring by cord 
 of insufficient strength, and imperfectly waterproofed ; consequently the net 
 is liable to ravel up on the ring, and frequent repairs undertaken in the hurry of 
 
 ENLARGED VIEW OP 
 
 I 
 
 business by the riverside do not improve the appearance or serviceable qualities 
 of the implement. We could multiply faults common to many landing nets. 
 Sometimes the ring is weak and constantly losing shape, or screws drop out and 
 are lost, hinges get out of gear, and the whole affair is a constant source of worry 
 to its owner. 
 
449 
 
 THE NECKLACE. (See next page.) 
 
 G G 
 
450 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 " Messrs. Hancock & Co., of 4, Pall Mall Place, St. James', have patented a new 
 automatic lock-fast fitting, of which we need give no lengthened description, the 
 construction being sufficiently apparent from the accompanying illustrations. The 
 workmanship of the whole implement is of high class, and there is little 
 risk that it will get out of order if subjected to ordinary fair treatment. The 
 net itself is made of durable material, and has the further advantage of being of 
 a good size. For Salmon and Grilse the handle is made Malacca or other cane." 
 
 THE "NECKLACE" FOR ONE-ARMED FISHERMEN. 
 
 This contrivance is the only one known to me for the use of those 
 Anglers who have unfortunately been deprived of one arm. The " neck- 
 lace " with its socket is admirably adapted for casting right or left handed, 
 and gives the Angler supreme control over a fish. It demands but the 
 least acquaintance for complete appreciation. 
 
 In examining the sling and its appurtenances, which are represented 
 in Figs. 1 and 2, it will be observed that the necklace is provided with a 
 socket wherein the butt of the rod rests. By a slight downward pressure 
 in casting, the line is sent out almost as far and as easily as in the 
 ordinary way with two hands. The strap fastened over the shoulder is 
 buckled to suit the desired length. The article shown in Fig. 2 points to 
 the convenience afforded for holding Salmon. It fits on to the stump of 
 the amputated arm. The rod rests in the lower arm-hook while "playing" 
 a fish; in "butting" him the rod is placed in the upper hook, which 
 enables the Angler, by means of extra leverage, to put on sufficient 
 pressure for the purpose. 
 
 BOXES AND GARRETS FOR BARREN WATERS. 
 
 The following letter of mine, written at Carlogie House, on the Dee, 
 appeared in the Field on July 27th, 1895, and will, I think, explain all 
 that is wanted : 
 
 " Although one often comes across worthy owners of Salmon rivers, who are 
 not aware of the advantages offered in the improvements of their beats, the da}' 
 must come when they will exercise their wits and make the endeavour to deal with 
 barren stretches beyond tails of pools. Better luck, however, has fallen to our 
 lot here. In dealing with such places, there are two ways of procedure the one 
 is by Boxing, the other by Garreting. In my opinion (and I speak from constant 
 
451 
 
 ME. J. C. HASLAM, OF CABLOGIE. 
 
 (I (3 2 
 
452 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 observation and not a little practical experience), by far the Ijetter and safer of 
 these two schemes is the Box. The Box is preferable, because the Garret, built 
 at almost any angle from the bank itself, is not unfrequently injurious, if not 
 altogether ruinous, to pools on the opposite side, as well as to ethers below on the 
 near side. Some Garrets and many Boxes, which I have in mind, have done and 
 are doing an incalculable amount of good to landlords and tenants alike. 
 Those which I have recently made here are put in singularly suitable quarters, and 
 require no more than one snow-water flood to ensure a couple of high-water 
 catches, perhaps second to none for sport on the whole estate. 
 
 "The way I usually make a Box is easily described. In shape it is a sort of 
 triangle, and, as I suppose the whole world knows, the Box faces upstream. The 
 two sides are constructed of 12 ft. planks, 2 in. thick, measuring 11 in. at the 
 broad and 9 in. at the narrow end, so that the height -of the Box in front is 
 2 ft. 3 in., and at the back 2 ft. 9 in. The back boards are of similar material, 
 but not tapered. There is a post at front, and one at each corner at back. 
 These posts, 7 in. in diameter, and pointed, are 5 ft. 6 in. in length, so that when 
 the top part of them damaged in driving is sawn off, they will be at the height 
 desired. Good, strong old larch is a serviceable wood. The one in front is the 
 first to fix. It is driven into the gravel pretty much as far as it will go say. a 
 little over 2 ft. When this is done, it is advisable first to place the other t\vi> 
 into position, and take a close inspection from a point well above or well below, 
 in order to decide that the Box shall ultimately face straight with the stream. 
 Perhaps it should here be said that the whole of the materials ought to be at hand 
 before operations begin. The river, for instance, may rise too soon for one's 
 liking, and level unprotected work to the ground. Apart from the materials 
 quoted above, all that is required is comprised in the following list, viz., five 4 in. 
 posts, a plank, 8 in. wide, 2 in. thick ; a 2 ft. 4 in. strip of iron sheeting, 8 in. 
 wide, having holes drilled on both sides at every 3 in. ; three other iron strips. 
 2 ft. 6 in. long, 3 in. broad, drilled in the same way ; and about fifteen tons of 
 boulders, together with some smaller stones to pack them all firmly in the Box 
 le\el with the top. Some Boxes are required to be higher. 
 
 " Before fixing the side planks to the strong front and back posts, the gravel 
 should be somewhat levelled for the edge of the bottom board to rest fairly 
 flush on the river bed, and the planks themselves bevelled off at their inner end 
 edges so as to leave them when nailed together in front with a head-end or nose, 
 s;iy, not more than a, thickness of 4 in. Of course, these are fixed as closely 
 as they will go at the front of the head post. The other end of the planks 
 may temporarily extend a trifle beyond the back posts, and be sawn off flush 
 .at a later stage. The side boards, resting upon each other, are nailed with 
 5i in. nails. When they are fixed, the tail boarding commences. But thesr 
 latter planks are nailed to the front of the back posts, so as to provide extra 
 support : they are also bevelled at the two ends, so as to fit in tight. Tin- 
 
453 
 
 MR. It. W. COOKE-TAYLOB, AT CAELOGIE. 
 
454 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 next thing to do is to place a head-stone inside the Box. The one used here 
 is a tapering stone (with which this neighbourhood abounds), 5 ft. 3 in. in 
 length. Its point is about 2 in. through, its foot about 15 in. in diameter both 
 ways. A slot to receive the point is cut into the top of the post which has already 
 been reduced. By the use of a chisel the stone can be made to bed into the slot. 
 But before placing it, a firm foundation for its foot should be made in the gravel, 
 and a slanting flat stone put to back up with. If this sort of head-stone is not to be 
 procured, a good, strong larch post might serve the purpose, but, in this 
 district, where thousands of tons of ice wend their way seawards in winter, 
 strength is of infinite importance. 
 
 "After getting in the stone, the space underneath it is packed closely with 
 well-fitting boulders, and the small open part between the post and the point or 
 nose of the boards jammed with little stones. The fiv& smaller posts are now 
 driven into the ground three inside the Box at the middle part of the sides and 
 back, and the two others outside the Box at back, midway between the inside 
 centre one and the two corners. These are all likewise firmly nailed, and then the 
 6 in. plank is let into the top side planks, so as to butt against the two middle 
 posts. A platform is now made, upon which ths boulders are wheeled, and tipped 
 into the box. As each barrow load comes, a little cautious packing of the stones 
 is desirable. When the box is thus filled, the work is completed by fixing the 
 2 ft. 4 in. piece of sheeting upright round the nose of the box and nailing to the 
 planks on each side. The 2 ft. 6 in. strips of iron are iiailed thus, one over a 
 thick piece of well-fitting plank, previously put flush with the top of the sides 
 against the headpost (this strip is bent over and down the sides before the hammer 
 at that part is used), and the two others round the two outer back posts are put 
 at the middle of the top board. The cost of this construction, provided the land- 
 lord supplies the wood from his saw mill and allows the boulders in the neighbour- 
 hood to be gathered, should not exceed 30s. 
 
 " There is a little fresh to add concerning the situation of these Boxes ; but it 
 is not easy to describe with exactness the safe and sure place that can be depended 
 upon. It may, however, be taken that the tail end of a pool or catch, which 
 gradually gets shallower and has a gravelly bed, over which the water, at any 
 height, flows fairly straight with the bank, is as good a spot as one might wish 
 for. But the Box must be within thirty yards of the catch itself, or the fish will 
 not linger long in its wake. Mine here is twenty-four feet from the front post to 
 the bank. To make the job yet more enticing, a boulder, weighing about four 
 hundredweight, should be bedded into the gravel below. If this is put at a spot 
 about the place where the two streams meet, it will remain. These out-flowing 
 streams (it may be said for the uninitiated) are formed by the current striking the 
 box, and they will probably join each other not farther distant than from thirty 
 to thirty-five yards down-stream. Properly set, this boulder which, like the 
 suspicion of onion in a salad, animates the whole, and gives the merest angling 
 
455 
 
 MISS KELSON AND HER GILLIE, AT CARLOGIE. 
 
456 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 novice a sight at ones relishing, causes a wash, deepens the gravel behind it (as in 
 the case of the Box), into which hole the stone will eventually bed itself, and 
 never move again. Should the Box fail to meet one's expectations, it can be 
 removed ; but this could hardly bs the result in such places with even the most 
 moderate luck. If it should prove effective, several other Boxes might be put 
 below it at intervals of fifty yards, or thereabouts. A constant and watchful 
 oversight of these Boxes is needed in flood time ; for, the encroachment of trees 
 and whatnot th very presence of which will tear the whole thing away must 
 be cleared. 
 
 " Garreting, as I have hinted, is a dangerous experiment, and has been known 
 to do immense damage to the river and its banks. It is to be hoped that no 
 delusions may be entertained on that head. Nature, nevertheless, occasionally 
 furnishes a corner as suitable for Garrets as a reach for Boxes. Still, these places 
 should be studied diligently by thoroughly practical men, and all the work deter- 
 mined upon executed under their control. The great thing to look out for is an 
 immense boulder weighing about two tons, to which an outer post can be fixed if 
 necessary. If, however, this boulder is of suitable shape, or even made suitable, 
 it can be bored for bolts, in which case the post is not wanted. The next item of 
 importance at places where the current flows rapidly consists of a few other well- 
 bedded boulders of long standing lying within a few yards up-stream. They 
 protect the garret, and, it should be added, are imperative agents where the river 
 has a very sharp descent. For boring such a boulder, which makes the Garret 
 unique of its kind, a quarryman's boring-mall and a couple of jumpers serve the 
 purpose well. The mall, by which name it is commonly known, is merely an iron 
 hammer of about 7 Ib. in weight, having a handle 7 in. long. A jumper is a sort 
 of cold chisel ; one should be 18 in. in length, the other 9 in., and both at least 
 l^in. in diameter. In boring, the jumper is slightly turned about by the hand 
 holding it with every stroke of the hammer. Only by this means can the hole be 
 cut round. In ten minutes a hole an inch deep can thus be made even into a 
 mongrel stone, and then it is best for the jumper to carry a shangie. This is made 
 of straw, or, say, a dozen stalks of long, coarse grass, first twisted into rope fashion, 
 and then coiled twice round the juniper, carefully taken off, and itself tied in and 
 out with string. When pruned, this shangie serves as a sort of collar. Put at 
 the mouth of the hole, for the jumper to pass through when working, it answers a 
 double purpose. In the first place, it can be dipped into water to keep the stone wet 
 and the tool cool, in which case the operation of boring is facilitated ; and in the second 
 place, the powdered stone, instead of nearly blinding you, sticks to the jumper, 
 and is withdrawn as the work progresses. It is a mongrel (six yards from the 
 bank) to which the two horizontal supports put here for the front paling are 
 bolted. The water running fast, the angle is made extra sharp. The two larch 
 poles fixed to carry the paling are 8 yards long and 1 2 in. in diameter at the centre 
 portion of them. They are made fast to a tree, or may be a strong post in the 
 
FLY-DRESSING BOXES. 457 
 
 bank, and bolted to the stone, one placed a short distance below the other. A 
 strong, upright post is fixed behind them at the middle part, that is to say. inside 
 the Garret. From about midway up the post another larch log, knotched in, slants 
 a little downward and butts against the bank some twelve yards below. The 
 paling selected here is also of larch. These planks are 5 ft. 6 in. long and 2 in. 
 thick. They are nailed upright to the poles close to each other in front, so as to 
 make a smooth face. 
 
 " The large boulder is 4 ft. 3 in. high at the outer corner, and the paling is 
 sawn evenly off 1 ft. higher than it. One large log bolted to the boulder about 2 ft. 
 from the bed of the river butts the bank sixteen yards down-stream. It suffices 
 to protect the stones inside the Garret. As an extra support, another log butts 
 against the middle part of the boulder with its other end against the bank. 
 When so much of the work is done, the Garret is packed with boulders and stones 
 from the top of the paling to the level of the log in the rear ; and then cartloads 
 of gravel put on the surface and washed in. So it will be seen that in this instance 
 the highest part of the construction is in front." 
 
 HOW TO RE-SHAPE FEATHERS. 
 
 Into a basin of boiling water immerse the bent feather and let it 
 remain for ten minutes. Then, taking it by the root, put it on a fine 
 linen towel, and with a soft rough towel twisted round the forefinger 
 smooth the fibres, which will readily yield and resume their original 
 form. Allow time to dry. 
 
 TO BLEACH FEATHERS. 
 
 Immerse the feather in Hydrogen Peroxide, and to quicken 
 operations, add one teaspoonful of Liquid Ammonia to one pint. 
 
 FLY-DRESSING BOXES. 
 
 I use three. One, the size of an ordinary little japanned cash box, 
 has room in the lid for a hackle book, and seals' furs. There is only one 
 tray ; and it carries hooks, tinsels, scissors and other implements. 
 Beneath this tray, which rests on projecting pieces of tin at the four 
 corners, and measures one inch in depth, I keep a temporary stock of 
 feathers, in about a two-inch space ; but I only use this box on occasions 
 when paying a short visit from one river to another. 
 
 A second case of mine, made by Bambridge (Eton), is of oak, covered 
 
458 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 with leather. This one holds a much larger stock of materials, and is 
 quite enough for a spring, a summer, or an autumn outing. 
 
 A third one, made by Kollason (Hatton Garden, London), has seven 
 trays and is of japanned tin, covered also in leather. The lower tray has 
 no partitions, and is three and a half inches deep. It is stocked with 
 parchment parcels of all kinds of feathers, such as Turkey, Bustard, etc., 
 also a set of tinsels in a tin air-tight box, fitting along the back. Above 
 these rests a hackle book, that just fits the tray. The second tray, three 
 inches deep, has one partition in the centre lengthways. On one side I 
 keep Pheasants' tails and Peacocks' wings ; while the opposite compart- 
 ment holds dyed Swan. The third tray, two and a half inches deep, has 
 one partition lengthways and one cross ways. The fourth is two inches 
 deep. The fifth and sixth, one and a half inches deep and still more 
 divided ; whilst the top tray, with a right and left lid, is partitioned for 
 every sized hook on right side, and with one narrow partition on the left 
 to hold tinsels and fly-making materials. The lid of the box is two 
 inches in depth, and holds a cardboard box divided into separate com- 
 partments for Seals' furs, as well as a parchment-book for special feathers. 
 These are held in by two revolving buttons at each end fixed to the box. 
 With this kind of box, properly stocked, the Angler should be able to 
 dress every sort of standard or nondescript pattern of the day. 
 
 THE ROUND JAPANNED BOX FOR DOUBLE-HOOKED FLIES. 
 
 Forrest's (Kelso) round japanned tin box is what I use for the 
 
 double-hook flies. It has cork circles mounted on round cards, each 
 circle holding from ten to twenty flies according to size. 
 
FLY BOXES. 459 
 
 This firm also supply Anglers with a fly-box (devised by Malloch), 
 
 made of steel, covered with tin, to carry single-hook flies. The flies hook 
 in springs made of German silver, each one having a spring for itself. 
 
 THE FISHERMAN'S KNIFE AND FLY DRESSING SCISSORS. 
 A good knife is often useful and sometimes indispensable. The one 
 
460 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 engraved was made for me by Fisher, in the Strand. The needle has a 
 slit at the end for threading prawns. The scissors represent those I use 
 and have recommended in former chapters. 
 
 AN APPURTENANCE TO RENDER VISIBLE LOST ARTICLES 
 LYING ON THE BED OF A RIVER. 
 
 Paint the inside of a pail black, remove the wooden bottom, and tack 
 a "petticoat " round the end. Put the mouth of the pail just under the 
 surface of the water, and, with his head hidden by the petticoat, the man, 
 looking through this appurtenance, can see the smallest article in the 
 deepest water. 
 
 TO WATERPROOF FELT HATS. 
 
 I hardly ever wear anything else, but the so-called " bowler." To 
 me they are the most comfortable. Apply two coats of size and when 
 dry two coats of Acme Black. 
 
 AN ANTIDOTE FOR MIDGES AND MOSQUITO'S. 
 
 Two ounces pine tar, two of castor oil, one ounce pennyroyal. Heat 
 and mix. Apply several times to the face and hands until a sort of 
 varnish is formed. It is a sure preventive, easily washes off, leaves the 
 skin sweet and clean, and is quite harmless. 
 
 GRIFFIN'S LEATHER PRESERVATIVE. 
 
 This compound makes leather of all kinds soft, pliable and water- 
 proof. It penetrates the material and prevents it from cracking. Brown 
 leather brogues, boots or covers of fly boxes should be rubbed briskly 
 with a cloth, after the application, till they are polished. Blacking can 
 be used afterwards on black leather. This preservative is free from the 
 objections which can be taken to several other compositions. (251, 
 Oxford Koad, Beading.) 
 
 CURE FOR STICKY LINES. 
 
 Tie up the line in one length to two posts, and with a piece of 
 leather rub yard by yard. During that, process spin the line backwards 
 
SPECIMEN FISH. 
 
 461 
 
 and forwards. Now rub the line with a linen pad damped in spirits of 
 wine. Then put into a one-ounce bottle one teaspoonful of copal varnish 
 and fill nearly to the top with spirits of wine. Shake the bottle well 
 against the ball of the right forefinger, and, still spinning, apply the 
 polish, using the thumb and forefinger, to about four inches. Eepeatthis 
 quickly, and when, say, sixteen inches have been thus treated, continue 
 the spinning and rub (with the same fingers) the length wetted, up and 
 down, three or four times, leaving off as soon as any decided stickiness is 
 felt. The line will be fit to use on the following day. The mixture must 
 be freshly made ; it will not keep. 
 
 SPECIMEN FISH. 
 
 I have often been asked to give an opinion on the question of 
 " setting up " Salmon. Some people like them " stuffed," others have a 
 "cast" taken, but this entails the necessity of parting with the fish. 
 
 My plan now, is to place the Salmon on a sheet of paper and with a lead 
 pencil carefully draw the correct outline, make notes of any details for the 
 artist, and send them to Farlow, who will return you a copy of the fish 
 carved and painted in wood. 
 
 IN CONCLUSION. 
 
 Recollecting the many friendships made, it has often seemed to me 
 in writing these pages that life has a value beyond the wholesome 
 acquirement of business knowledge and habits of official work. It has 
 many times struck me, as well as others, that this value is found in 
 those nobler pursuits which teach us to become masters of ourselves, and 
 qualify us for promoting the welfare and happiness of our fellow- 
 creatures. One authority after another has pronounced the most 
 
462 THE SALMON* FLY. 
 
 competent judgment in favour of this view. Their verdict has never 
 been challenged ; and if " there is no vocation that claims for its 
 contingent a finer race of men than Angling level-headed Britons whose 
 lives are superior to those of lower fortune more by the graceful exercise 
 of generous qualities than for their immediate possessions," it is quite 
 certain that no sport has gained favour with fashionable folk so fast as 
 Salmon fishing. Surely business and- sport are not incompatible. Surely 
 there is more wisdom and more benefit in combining them than some 
 people like to believe. Life has time enough for both, and its enjoyment 
 is increased by the union. That being so, the sentiments with which the 
 author of this book hopes to be regarded by aJl who pursue Salmon 
 fishing enthusiastically, and by those who swim only with the stream, are 
 such, perhaps, as it would take a real enthusiast to understand and 
 appreciate. To others, even to that vast multitude in the outer world 
 who, with special delight, estimate our pursuit merely as a light and 
 infectious recreation, the enthusiasm itself can scarcely be intelligible. 
 But the view by our recruits, taken as they find their brain ceases to 
 perform its work efficiently when the heart's work is imperfectly done, is 
 a different one altogether. They study the subject and soon declare that 
 difficulties at the riverside may often be surmounted by indomitable 
 energy, unfailing punctuality, and intelligent reasoning. Afterwards, 
 with the exercise of other attributes not always combined in one 
 individuality, such as absolute self-confidence (" for they can conquer who 
 believe they can"), tenacity of purpose, equability of temper, and a 
 generous and elegant hospitality to colleagues with whom they come into 
 contact, these recruits concentrate their ideas ; and, thinking of it all as an 
 art, in which the degrees of attainable excellence are practically infinite, 
 and the attainment of supreme excellence extremely rare, eagerly contest 
 every inch of ground for promotion in our ranks. Finally, they acquire 
 a train of thoughts that engender thought thoughts that shed a gleam 
 of light on the more obscure problems, and without a shadow of doubt 
 give permanence to the enchantment of every day life. The question 
 whether experts are born or made is, like any such query, hardly 
 necessary to discuss. Prevailing opinion has it that skilled performers 
 are always made. How else could it be ? Skill at the riverside, or at 
 
A FAEEWELL WORD. 463 
 
 the fly-table, never came, nor ever will come to us by any road than that 
 of practice. And yet the result of devotion is to produce, for one and all 
 alike, a well-marked type of character entirely different from that 
 developed by the love of any other sport or pastime. As to the element 
 of luck well, there is some luck in every branch of sport ; and though 
 absence of skill and want of method are too often fitting substitutes for 
 " bad luck," it is not good for our too enslaved votaries to persevere 
 wholly apart from it. Bad luck invariably precedes good luck, and it is 
 better it should go first than last. A word may be said of chance. 
 Salmon fishing abounds with chances, as none have known better cr 
 avowed more freely than its greatest masters. The mere accidental tug 
 of a Salmon, for instance, symbolises the recognition of the fact. Then 
 with regard to blunders not uncommonly set down as " accidents "- 
 brought about by want of judgment, by any and every conceivable way 
 inclusive of that modest contempt for apparently sound advice one is 
 naturally inclined to the belief that men who are invariably unlucky are 
 wanting in those very qualities that command success. 
 
 But while recalling to mind those many friendships made and 
 thinking of all these things, it was not likely that, having the interests 
 of our juniors at heart, I should pass over unnoticed the many friendships 
 broken by the " busybodies." The trouble occasionally brought about by 
 a deal of unsolicited advice, usually given with intense emphasis to 
 beginners, by people hardly qualified to express an opinion at all, led me, 
 against my will, to point out in these pages the " badge " to know them 
 by. And I should like to wind up by saying, with equal honesty of 
 intention, that few men have done more harm to the rising generation of 
 Anglers than those who are commonly thought to do the least. If, 
 however, one final suggestion may be made, it would probably flow best 
 in the following words of Seneca : " LET NO MAN PRESUME TO GIVE 
 
 ADVICE TO OTHERS, THAT HAS NOT FIRST GIVEN GOOD COUNSEL TO 
 HIMSELF." 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 465 
 
 TABLE SHOWING THE LIMITS OF THE FISHERY DISTRICTS OF 
 ENGLAND AND WALES ; THE CLOSE SEASONS ; THE RATE 
 OF ROD LICENCE DUTY FOR SALMON, INCLUDING TROUT; 
 AND THE NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF THE CHAIRMEN AND 
 CLERKS OF THE SEVERAL BOARDS OF CONSERVATORS. 
 
 Name of District. 
 In order of Coast 
 fromN.W.toN.E. 
 
 1. 
 
 Eden. 
 
 LIMITS OF DISTRICT. 
 
 The Eden below Kirkby Stephen and its estuary and tributaries 
 (except the Caldew above Hawksdale Bridge, the Petterill above 
 Wreay Bridge, the Eainont and Lowther above their junction, 
 the Irthing above the boundary of Northumberland, and the 
 Croglin) ; the English half of the Solway and sea between lines 
 drawn true S. from Sark Foot to Rockcliff Marsh and true 
 W.N.W. from the northern boundary of Seaton ; the coast 
 between such lines ; and all rivers flowing into such part of the 
 sea and Solway (except the Esk and Sark above Sark Foot). 
 
 ANNUAL CLOSE SEASON FOR SALMON. 
 
 (All dates inclusive.) 
 Except in the cases marked below, the Annual Close Season in 
 
 England and Wales is : 
 
 | *NETS, fec. From 1st September to 1st February. 
 1 RODS From 2nd November to 1st February. 
 NETS, &c. In the Solway Firth, from Old Sandsfield downwards, 10th 
 
 September to 10th February. 
 RODS 16th November to 15th February. 
 
 PERIOD DURING WHICH GAFF is ALLOWED IN CONNECTION WITH 
 ROD AND LINE. (EXCEPT IN THOSE CASES WHERE ITS USE 
 is LEGAL THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE ANGLING SEASON.) 
 
 1st July to 15th November. 
 
 ROD LICENCE DUTY. 
 
 Salmon (including Trout and Char). 
 
 Season, whole district, 1 Is. ; above Armathwaite Bay, 10s. ; in 
 Irthing, Wampool, and Waver, 5s. ; week, 5s. ; Single-handed rod, 
 used in Duke of Devonshire's socage water, season, 5s. 
 
 * The Annual Close Season for puts and putchers is from 1st September to 
 1st May. 
 
 H H 
 
466 
 
 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 Name ol District. 
 In order of Coast 
 fromN.W.toN.E. 
 
 1. 
 
 Eden 
 continued. 
 
 NAME AND ADDRESS OF CHAIRMAN AND CLERK OF BOARD OF 
 
 CONSERVATORS. 
 
 Chairman F. PAKKER, Fremington, Penrith. 
 Clerk J. B. SLATER, Court Square, Carlisle. 
 
 2. 
 Derwent. 
 
 LIMITS OF DISTRICT. 
 
 The Derwent and its estuary and tributaries (except the St. John's 
 Beck above a point 100 yards below the junction of Mill Gill, and 
 N addle Beck above Roughow Bridge) ; all rivers flowing into the 
 sea between North Head Lighthouse and .the northern boundary 
 of Seaton ; the coast between these points ; and the sea for three 
 miles seaward. 
 
 ANNUAL CLOSE SEASON FOR SALMON. 
 
 (All dates inclusive.) 
 
 NETS, ike. 15th September to 10th March. 
 RODS 15th November to 10th March. 
 The GAFF (see River Eden) 1st July to 14th November. 
 
 EOD LICENCE DUTY. 
 Salmon (including Trout and Char). 
 
 Whole district season, 1 ; ditto, to 5th September, 10s. ; ditto, 
 month, 10s. ; week, 5s. ; any part except river Derwent below 
 Ouse Bridge, season, 10s. ; ditto, month, 5s. ; ditto, week, 2s. 6d. 
 
 Chairman W. FLETCHER, Brigham Hill, Carlisle. 
 Clerk T. C. BURN, Rosemont, Papcastle, Cockennouth. 
 
 3. 
 
 West 
 Cumber- 
 land. 
 
 LIMITS OF DISTRICT. 
 
 The Mite, Esk, Irt, and Calder ; and the Ehen below the Weir at the 
 foot of Ennerdale ; their estuaries and tributaries ; the coast, and 
 all rivers flowing into the sea, between Haverigg Point and 
 North Head Lighthouse, and the sea for three miles seaward. 
 
 ANNUAL CLOSE SEASON FOR SALMON. 
 
 (All dates inclusive.) 
 
 NET?, <tc. 15th September to 31st March. 
 RODS 14th November to 10th March. 
 The GAFF (see River Eden) 1st July to 1st November. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 Name of District. 
 In order of Coast 
 from N.W. to N.E. 
 
 3. 
 
 West 
 Cumber- 
 land 
 
 continued. 
 
 KOD LICENCE DUTY. 
 Salmon (including Trout and Char). 
 Season, 15s. ; week, 5s. ; day, 2s. 
 
 Chairman ROBERT JEFFERSON, Rothersyke, Egremont, Cumberland. 
 Clerk J. WEBSTER, 102, Scotch Street, Whitehaven. 
 
 4. 
 
 Kent. 
 
 LIMITS OF DISTRICT. 
 
 The coast and territorial sea between lines drawn (1) true W.S.W. 
 from Haverigg Point, and (2) S.W. from N. boundary of 
 Wharton till it bisects a line from the S.W. point of Walney 
 Island to Rossall Point ; all rivers (with their tributaries and 
 estuaries) flowing thereinto. 
 
 ANNUAL CLOSE SEASON FOR SALMON. 
 
 (All dates inclusive.) 
 
 NETS, ike. 15th September to 31st March. 
 RODS 15th November to 31st March. 
 The GAFF (see River Eden) 2nd June to 31st October. 
 
 EOD LICENCE DUTY. 
 Salmon (including Trout and Char). 
 Season, 10s. ; week, 5s. 
 
 Chairman JOHN FELL, Flanhow, Ulverston. 
 Clerk S. H. JACKSON, Heaning Wood, Ulverston. 
 
 5. 
 Lune. 
 
 LIMITS OF DISTRICT. 
 
 The Lune, Wyre, Keer, and Cocker, and their tributaries ; so much of 
 Morecambe Bay as lies south of the S. limit of Kent District ; the 
 coast as far as Blackpool. 
 
 ANNUAL CLOSE SEASON FOR SALMON. 
 
 (All dates inclusive.) 
 NETS, &c. Tidal, 8th September to 1st March ; upper, 15th September 
 
 to 1st March. 
 
 RODS 15th November to 1st March. 
 The GAFF is used throughout the whole Angling season. 
 
 EOD LICENCE DUTY. 
 
 Salmon (including Trout and Char). 
 Whole District, 1 ; in Wyre, Keer, Cocker, Conder, Wenning, Greta 
 
 and tributaries, 5s. 
 
 Chairman T. F. FENWICK, Burrow Hall, Kirkby Lonsdale. 
 Clerk W. T. SHARP, 30, Cable Street, Lancaster. 
 
 H H 2 
 
468 
 
 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 Name of District. 
 In order of Coast 
 from N.W. to N.E. 
 
 6. 
 Kibble. 
 
 LIMITS OF DISTRICT. 
 
 The coast and territorial sea between lines drawn due west from (1) 
 Blackpool, and (2) Formby New Church Tower ; all rivers (with 
 their tributaries and estuaries) flowing thereinto. 
 
 ANNUAL CLOSE SEASON FOE SALMON. 
 
 (All date? inclusive.) 
 
 NETS, &c. 1st September to 1st February. 
 RODS 2nd November to 1st February. 
 The GAFF (see River Eden) 1st May to 1st November. 
 EOD LICENCE DUTY. 
 
 Salmon (including Trout and Char). 
 Season, 1. 
 
 Chairman R. J. ASPINALL, Standen Hall, Clitheroe. 
 Clerk T. J. BACKHOUSE, 27, Victoria Street, Blackburn. 
 
 7. 
 Dee. 
 
 LIMITS OF DISTRICT. 
 
 The coast and territorial sea between lines drawn (1) from New 
 Brighton to the Rock Lighthouse and thence through the Bar 
 Lightship, and (2) from Meliden Parish Church though the West 
 Hoyle Spit Buoy ; all rivers (with their tributaries and estuaries) 
 flowing thereinto. 
 
 ANNUAL CLOSE SEASON FOR SALMON. 
 
 (All dates inclusive.) 
 NETS, <fec. 1st September to 31st March, 
 RODS 2nd November to 31st March. 
 The GAFF is used throughout the whole season. 
 
 EOD LICENCE DUTY. 
 Salmon (including Trout and Char). 
 Season, 1 ; week, 10s. ; day, 5s. 
 
 Chairman THE DUKE OF WESTMINSTER, K.G., Eaton Hall, Chester. 
 Clerk HENRY JOLLIFFE, 13, St. John Street, Chester. 
 
 a 
 
 Elwy and 
 Clwyd. 
 
 LIMITS OF DISTRICT. 
 
 The coast and territorial sea between lines drawn from (1) the tower 
 of Meliden Parish Church through the West Hoyle Spit Buoy, 
 and (2) true N. from the Colwyn Bay Railway Station at Rhos 
 Bay ; all rivers (with their tributaries and estuaries) flowing 
 thereinto. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 469 
 
 Name of District. 
 In order of Coast 
 fromN.W.toN.E. 
 
 8. 
 
 Elwy and 
 Clwyd 
 continued. 
 
 ANNUAL CLOSE SEASON FOR SALMON. 
 
 (All dates inclusive.) 
 NETS, <fec. 15th September to 15th May. 
 RODS 15th November to 15th May. 
 The GAFF is used throughout the whole season. 
 
 BOD LICENCE DUTY. 
 
 Salmon (including Trout and Char). 
 Season, 1. 
 
 Chairman Colonel C. S. MAINWARING, Galltfaenan, Tretnant. 
 Clerk H. F. BIRLEY, The Mount, St. Asaph. 
 
 9. 
 Conway. 
 
 LIMITS OF DISTRICT. 
 
 The coast and territorial sea between lines drawn (1) true N. from 
 Colwyn Bay Railway Station at Rh6s Bay, and (2) true N. by E. 
 from the E. bank of the River Aber at the Lavan Sands ; all 
 rivers (with their tributaries and estuaries) flowing thereinto. 
 
 ANNUAL CLOSE SEASON FOR SALMON. 
 
 (All dates inclusive.) 
 
 NETS, Ac. 15th September to 30th April. 
 RODS 15th November to 30th April. 
 The GAFF (see River Eden) 1st May to 31st October. 
 
 ROD LICENCE DUTY. 
 
 Salmon (including Trout and Char). 
 Season, 1 ; month, 10s. ; week, 3s. ; day, Is. 
 
 Chairman J. BLACKWALL, Hendre, Llanrwst. 
 Clerk C. T. ALLARD, Bodgwynedd, Llanrwst. 
 
 10. 
 Seiont. 
 
 LIMITS OF DISTRICT. 
 
 The Seiont, Gwrfai, and Llyfni, and their tributaries : all rivers in 
 Carnarvonshire flowing into the sea between the Ferry Causeway 
 at Garth Point and Llanaelhaiarn Point ; all rivers in Aziglesea 
 flowing into the sea between the Ferry Causeway at Garth and 
 Twyn-y-Parc Point ; the coast between those points respectively ; 
 and the Menai Straits south and west of the Ferry Causeway. 
 
470 
 
 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 Name of District. 
 In order of Coast 
 from N.W.toN.E. 
 
 10. 
 
 Seiont 
 ccntinneil. 
 
 ANNUAL CLOSE SEASON FOR SALMON. 
 
 (All dates inclusive.) 
 
 NETS, ifec. 15th September to 1st March. 
 RODS -15th November to 1st March. 
 The GAFF (see River Eden) 2nd March to 1st November. 
 
 ROD LICENCE DUTY. 
 Salmon (including Trout and Char). 
 
 Whole district season, 1 Is. ; month, 10s. 6d. ; week, 5s. 
 2s. 6d. Rivers Cefni, Braint, and LJyfni, season, 10s. 6d. 
 
 Chairman Captain N. P. STEWART, Bryntirion, Bangor. 
 Clerk .T. T. ROBERTS, Marino, Carnarvon. 
 
 11. 
 Dwyfach. 
 
 LIMITS OF DISTRICT. 
 
 The Dwyfach and its estuary and tributaries ; the coast, and all 
 rivers flowing into the sea between Llanaelhaiarn Point and 
 Criccieth : and the sea for three miles round. 
 
 ANNUAL CLOSE SEASON FOR SALMON. 
 
 (All dates "inclusive.) 
 
 NETS, <fcc. 15th September to 1st March. 
 RODS 15th November to 1st March. 
 The GAFF is used throughout the whole season. 
 
 EOD LICENCE DUTY. 
 Salmon (including Trout and Char). 
 Season, 1 Is. 
 
 Chairman H. J. ELLIS NAXNEY, Gwynfryn, Criccieth. 
 Clerk T. ROBERTS, Portmarlo<-. 
 
 12. 
 Dovev- 
 
 LIMITS OF DISTRICT. 
 
 The Dovey, Mawddach, and Glaslyn, and their tributaries ; all rivers 
 flowing into the sea between Criccieth and the south side of the 
 stream at Cynvelin ; and the coast between those points. 
 
 ANNUAL CLOSE SEASON FOR SALMON. 
 
 (All dates inclusive.) 
 
 NETS, <fcc. 1st September to 1st February. 
 RODS 15th November to 14th February. 
 The GAFF is used throughout the whole season. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 471 
 
 Name of District, 
 In order of Coast 
 fromN.W.toN.E. 
 
 12. 
 Dovey 
 
 continued. 
 
 BOD LICENCE DUTY. 
 Salmon (including Trout and Char). 
 Season, 10s. ; month, 5s. ; week, 2s. 6d. ; day, Is. 
 Chairman C. R. WILLIAMS, Dolmelynllyn, near Dolgelly. 
 Clerk W. R. DAVIES, Dolgelly. 
 
 13. 
 
 Ayron. 
 
 LIMITS OP DISTRICT. 
 
 All rivers with their estuaries and tributaries, and the coast between 
 Carreg Tipog and New Quay Head ; and the sea for three miles 
 seaward. 
 
 ANNUAL CLOSE SEASON FOR SALMON. 
 
 (All dates inclusive.) 
 
 NETS, &c. 1st September to 1st February. 
 RODS 15th November to 14th February. 
 The GAFF is used throughout the whole season. 
 
 EOD LICENCE DUTY. 
 Salmon (including Trout and Char). 
 Season, 1 ; four weeks, 10s. ; fortnight, 5s. 
 
 Chairman JOHN EVANS, 1, Alban Square, Aberayron, R.S.O., Car- 
 diganshire. 
 
 Clerk E. LIMA JONES, 5, Bridge Street, Aberayron, R.S.O., South 
 Wales. 
 
 14. 
 Teify. 
 
 LIMITS OF DISTRICT. 
 
 All rivers, with their estuaries and tributaries, and the coast, between 
 New Quay Head and Dinas Head, and the sea for three miles 
 seaward. 
 
 ANNUAL CLOSE SEASON FOR SALMON. 
 
 (All dates inclusive.) 
 
 NETS, &c. 1st September to 1st February. 
 RODS 20th October to 1st February. 
 The GAFF is used throughout the whole season. 
 
 EOD LICENCE DUTY. 
 
 Salmon (including Trout and Char). 
 Season, 1 ; month, for non-residents in districts, 10s. 6d. ; fortnight, 
 
 ditto, 5s. 
 
 Chairman H. W. T. HOWELL, Glaspant, Newcastle Emlyn. 
 Clerk H. W. Howell, 13, Alban Square, Aberayron, R.S.O., South 
 
 Wales. 
 
472 
 
 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 Nome of District. 
 In order of Coast 
 fromN.W.toN.E. 
 
 15. 
 Cloddy. 
 
 LIMITS OF DISTRICT. 
 
 The East and West Cleddy and their estuaries and tributaries ; all 
 rivers between Dinas Head and St. Govin's Head ; and the coast 
 between these points. 
 
 ANNUAL CLOSE SEASON FOB SALMON. 
 
 (All dates inclusive.) 
 
 *NETS, ifcc. 15th September to 15th March. 
 RODS 1st November to 1st February. 
 The GAFF is used throughout the whole seaso'n. 
 
 BOD LICENCE DUTY. 
 Salmon (including Trout and Char). 
 Season, 10s. 6d. 
 
 Chairman R. CARROW, Johnston Hall, Haverfordwest. 
 Clerk R. T. P. WILLIAMS, Haverfordwest. 
 
 16. 
 
 Towy, 
 Loughor, 
 and Taff. 
 
 LIMITS OF DISTRICT. 
 
 The Towy, Loughor, and Taff, and their estuaries and tributaries ; the 
 coast, and all rivers flowing into the sea, between St. Govin's 
 Head and Worm's Head ; and the sea for three miles seaward. 
 
 ANNUAL CLOSE SEASON FOR SALMON. 
 
 (All dates inclusive.) 
 * NETS, &c. In the sea between Carmarthen Bar and St. Govin's 
 
 Head, 1st September to 30th April ; rest of district, 1st September 
 
 to 15th March. 
 
 RODS 2nd November to 15th March. 
 The GAFF is used throughout the whole season. 
 
 Season, 1 Is. 
 
 KOD LICENCE DUTY. 
 
 Salmon (including Trout and Char). 
 
 Chairman T. JENKINS, The Friary, Carmarthen. 
 Clerk W. M. GRIFFITHS, St. Mary Street, Carmarthen. 
 
 * The Annual Close Season for puts and putchers is from 1st September 
 to 1st May. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 478 
 
 Name of District. 
 In order of Coast 
 fromN.W.toN.E. 
 
 17. 
 
 Ogmore 
 
 and 
 Ewenny. 
 
 LIMITS OF DISTRICT. 
 
 The Ogmore and Ewenny and their estuaries and tributaries ; the 
 coast, and all rivers flowing into the sea, between the breakwater 
 at Porthcawl and Cold Knap ; and the sea for three miles 
 seaward. 
 
 ANNUAL CLOSE SEASON FOE SALMON. 
 
 (All dates inclusive.) 
 
 NETS, &c. 15th September to 30th April. 
 RODS 15th November to 30th April. 
 The GAFF is used throughout the whole Season. 
 
 BOD LICENCE DUTY. 
 
 Salmon (including Trout and Char). 
 Season, 1 Is. ; month, 10s. 6d. 
 
 Chairman C. P. DAVIES, Cae Court, Bridgend. 
 Clerk S. H. STOCKWOOD, Bridgend, Glamorganshire. 
 
 18. 
 
 Taff and 
 Ely. 
 
 LIMITS OF DISTRICT. 
 
 The Taff and Ely with their estuaries and tributaries ; the coast, and 
 all rivers flowing into the sea, between Cold Knap and the cast 
 end of Bute Dock ; and the sea for three miles seaward. 
 
 ANNUAL CLOSE SEASON FOR SALMON. 
 
 (All dates inclusive.) 
 NETS, &c. 31st August to 30th April. 
 RODS 15th November to 30th April. 
 The GAFF (see River Eden) 1st June to 1st November. 
 
 EOD LICENCE DUTY. 
 
 Salmon (including Trout and Char). 
 Season, 10s. 6d. 
 
 Chairman HEVRY LEWIS, Greenmeadow, near Cardiff. 
 Clerk GEO. E. HALLIDAY, 19, Duke Street, Cardiff. 
 
 19. 
 Rhymney. 
 
 LIMITS OF DISTRICT. 
 
 The Rhymney and its estuary and tributaries ; the coast and the northern 
 half of the Bristol Channel between the east end of Bate Dock 
 and Ty-ton-y-Pill ; and all rivers flowing into the same. 
 
474 
 
 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 Name of District. 
 In order of Coast 
 fromN.W.toN.E. 
 
 19. 
 
 Rhymney- 
 continued. 
 
 ANNUAL CLOSE SEASON FOR SALMON. 
 
 (All dates inclusive.) 
 NETS, &c. 1st September to 1st April. 
 RODS 2nd November to 1st April. 
 The GAFF (see River Eden) 1st May to 1st November. 
 
 EOD LICENCE DUTY. 
 
 Salmon (including Trout and Char). 
 Season, 10s. 6d. 
 
 Chairman R. W. KEXNARD, Llwyndu, Abergavenny. 
 
 Clerk Colonel LYNE, Westgate Chambers, Newport, Monmouth. 
 
 20. 
 
 Usk and 
 Ebbw. 
 
 LIMITS OF DISTRICT. 
 
 The Usk and Ebbw and their tributaries ; and the northern half of 
 the estuary of the Severn between Ty-ton-y-Pill and Collister 
 Pill. 
 
 ANNUAL CLOSE SEASON FOR SALMON. 
 
 (All dates inclusive.) 
 
 NETS, <fec. 1st September to 1st April. 
 
 RODS 2nd November to 1st April. 
 
 The GAFF is used below a line drawn from the north boundary of the 
 district along the eastern watershed of the Honddu to Llanvaes 
 Bridge at Brecon, and thence along the eastern watershed of the 
 Tarell to the south boundary of the district, 1st May to 1st 
 November ; other parts of district, 1st May to 1st September. 
 
 EOD LICENCE DUTY. 
 
 Salmon (including Trout and Char). 
 Season, 1. 
 
 Chairman Colonel CHAS. LYNE, Brynhyfryd, Newport, Monmouth. 
 Clerk HORACE S. LYNE, Westgate Chambers, Newport, Monmouth. 
 
 21. 
 Wye. 
 
 LIMITS OF DISTRICT. 
 
 The Wye and its estuary and tributaries ; and the northern half of the 
 estuary of the Severn between Collister Pill and Lydney Pill. 
 
 ANNUAL CLOSE SEASON FOR SALMON. 
 
 (All dates inclusive.) 
 
 NETS. <tc. 1st September to 1st February. 
 RODS 2nd November to 1 st February. 
 The GAFF (see River Eden)- -15th March to 1st November. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 475- 
 
 Name of District. 
 In order of Coast 
 fromN.W. toN.E. 
 
 21. 
 Wye 
 
 continued. 
 
 KOD LICENCE DUTY. 
 Salmon (including Trout and Char). 
 
 In Wye below Llanwrthwl Bridge and other parts of district below 
 Builth Bridge, 1 ; elsewhere, 10s. 
 
 Chairman The DUKE OP BEAUFOKD, K.G., Badminton, Wilts. 
 Clerk E. OWEN, Builth, B.S.O., Brecon. 
 
 22. 
 Severn. 
 
 LIMITS OF DISTRICT. 
 
 The estuary of the Severn above Lydney Pill ; the Somersetshire half 
 of the estuary between Clapton Pill and Avon Battery ; the 
 Severn and tributaries (except the Avon so far as it lies in 
 Warwickshire) ; all streams with their estuaries and tributaries, 
 flowing into the portion of the estuary above denned. 
 
 ANNUAL CLOSE SEASON FOR SALMON. 
 
 (All dates inclusive.) 
 
 NETS, &c. In Borough of Shrewsbury, 1st September to 15th June. 
 RODS 2nd November to 1st February. 
 The GAFF is used throughout the whole angling season. 
 
 EOD LICENCE DUTY. 
 
 Salmon (including Trout and Char). 
 Season, 10s. 
 
 Chairman J. W. WILLIS, Bund, 15, Old Square, Lincoln's Inn, W.C. 
 Clerk J. STALLARD, Junior, Pierpoint Street, Worcester. 
 
 23. 
 
 Avon, 
 
 Brue, and 
 
 Parret. 
 
 LIMITS OF DISTRICT. 
 
 The Avon, Brue, and Parret ; their estuaries and tributaries ; all 
 streams flowing into the sea between Avon Battery and the 
 boundary of Devon and Somerset ; and the coast Ijetween those 
 points. 
 
 ANNUAL CLOSE SEASON FOR SALMON. 
 
 (All dates inclusive.) 
 
 NETS, &c. 1st September to 1st February. 
 RODS. 2nd November to 1st February. 
 The GAFF is used throughout the whole angling season. 
 
 EOD LICENCE DUTY. 
 Salmon (including Trout and Char). 
 Season, 7s. 6d. 
 
 Chairman H. D. SKRINE, Claverton Manor, near Bath. 
 
 Clerk T. FOSTER-BARHAM, Castle Street, Bridgwater, Somerset. 
 
476 
 
 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 Name of Distric:. 
 In order of Coa*t 
 fromN.W.toN.E. 
 
 24. 
 
 Taw and 
 Torridge. 
 
 LIMITS OF DISTRICT. 
 
 The Taw and Torridge and their estuaries and tributaries in Devonshire ; 
 the north coast of Devonshire ; and all rivers in Devonshire 
 flowing into the sea adjoining. 
 
 ANNUAL CLOSE SEASON FOR SALMON. 
 
 (All dates inclusive.) 
 
 NETS, &c. 21st September to 30ih April. 
 RODS 16th November to 31st March. 
 The GAFF (see River Eden) 1st June to"15th November. 
 
 
 EOD LICENCE DUTY. 
 
 Salmon (including Trout and Char). 
 
 Season, 1 Is. 
 
 i 
 
 Chairman Sir W. R. WILLIAMS, Bart., Upcott House, Barnstaple. 
 Clerk W. H. TOLLER, Barnstaple. 
 
 25. 
 Camel. 
 
 LIMITS OF DISTRICT. 
 
 The coast and territorial sea between lines drawn due west from 
 (1) the W. boundary of Devon, (2) Peel Point; all rivers (with 
 their tributaries and estuaries) flowing thereinto. 
 
 ANNUAL CLOSE SEASON FOR SALMON. 
 
 (All dates inclusive.) 
 NETS, &c. 1st November to 4th April. 
 RODS 1st December to 30th April. 
 The GAFF is used throughout the whole Angling Season. 
 
 EOD LICENCE DUTY. 
 Salmon (including Trout and Char). 
 Season, 10s. 
 
 Chairman J. J. E. YENNING, Ker Street, Devonport. 
 Clerk J. R. COLLINS, Fore Street, Bodtnin. 
 
 26. 
 Fowey. 
 
 LIMITS OF DISTRICT. 
 
 The coast and territorial sea between lines drawn (1) due west from 
 Peel Point, and (2) due south from Rame Head ; all rivers (with 
 their tributaries and estuaries) flowing thereinto. 
 
THE SALMON FLY, 
 
 477 
 
 Name of District. 
 In order of Coast 
 fromN.W. toN.E. 
 
 26. 
 
 Fowey 
 continued. 
 
 ANNUAL CLOSE SEASON FOR SALMON. 
 
 (All dates inclusive.) 
 
 NETS, ifec. Below Lostwithiel Bridge, 1st November to 4th April. 
 RODS Between Lostwithiel Bridge and a line drawn from north end 
 of Penquite Wood to St. Winnow Point, 1st December to 
 30th April ; other parts of district, 1st December to 4th 
 April. 
 
 ROD LICENCE DUTY. 
 Salmon (including Trout and Char). 
 Season, 10s. 
 
 Chairman R. FOSTER, Lanwithan, Lostwithiel. 
 Clerk W. PEASE, Jun., Lostwithiel. 
 
 27. 
 
 Tamar 
 and Plym. 
 
 LIMITS OF DISTRICT. 
 
 The coast and territorial sea between lines drawn true south from (l)Ramc 
 Head, and (2) Stoke Point ; all rivers (with their tributaries and 
 estuaries) flowing thereinto. 
 
 ANNUAL CLOSE SEASON FOR SALMON. 
 
 (All dates inclusive.) 
 
 NETS, &c. 1st September to 1st February. 
 RODS 2nd November to 1st February. 
 
 KOD LICENCE DUTY. 
 
 Salmon (including Trout and Char). 
 Season, 7s. 6d. 
 
 Chairman Captain R. C. COODE, Polapit, Tamar, Launceston. 
 Clerk W. W. MATHF.WS, Tavistock. 
 
 28. 
 
 Avon. 
 (Devon.) 
 
 LIMITS OF DISTRICT. 
 
 The coast and territorial sea between lines drawn (1) true S. from 
 Stoke Point, and (2) true E. from Start Point ; all rivers (with 
 their tributaries and estuaries) flowing thereinto. 
 
 ANNUAL CLOSE SEASON FOR SALMON. 
 
 (All dates inclusive.) 
 * NETS, &c. In the Erme, 30th September to 4th April ; rest of district 
 
 30th September to 1st May. 
 RODS In the Erme, 30th November to 4th April ; rest of district, 
 
 30th November to 1st May. 
 The GAFF (see River Eden) 1st April to 30th September. 
 
 * The Annual Close Season for puts and putchers is from 1st September to 1st May. 
 
478 
 
 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 Name of District 
 In order of Coast 
 fromN.W.toN.E. 
 
 28. 
 
 Avon. 
 
 (Devon.) 
 continued. 
 
 EOD LICENCE DUTY. 
 Salmon (including Trout and Char). 
 Season, 1. 
 
 Chairman F. J. CoENisn-BowDEN, Black Hall, Ivybridge. 
 Clerk W. .BEER, Kingsbridge. 
 
 29. 
 Dart. 
 
 30. 
 Teign. 
 
 LIMITS OF DISTRICT. 
 
 The coast and territorial sea between lines drawn true E. from ( 1 ) 
 Start Point, and (2) Hope's Nose ; all rivers (with their tributaries 
 and estuaries) flowing therinto. 
 
 ANNUAL CLOSE SEASON FOB SALMON. 
 
 (All dates inclusive.) 
 NETS, <fec. 1st September to 1st March. 
 RODS 2nd November to 1st March. 
 The GAFF (see River Eden) 2nd April to 31st October. 
 
 EOD LICENCE DUTY. 
 Salmon (including Trout and Char). 
 Season, 1 ; week, 7s. 6d. 
 
 Chairman Hon. R. DAWSON, Holne Park, Ashburton. 
 Clerk A. PIKE, Clifton Villa. Bridgetown, Totnes. 
 ~~i 
 
 LIMITS OF DISTRICT. 
 
 The coast and territorial sea between lines drawn (1) true E. from 
 Hope's Nose, and (2) true S.E. from the shore near Dawlish, 
 through the Clerk Rock ; all rivers (with their tributaries and 
 estuaries) flowing thereinto. 
 
 ANNUAL CLOSE SEASON FOR SALMON. 
 
 (All dates inclusive.) 
 NETS, &c. 1st September to 2nd March. 
 RODS 1st November to 2nd March. 
 The GAFF (see River Eden) 1st May to 1st September. 
 
 EOD LICENCE DUTY. 
 Salmon (including Trout and Char). 
 Season, 1 ; month, 5s. ; week, 2s. 6d. ; day, 2s. 
 
 Chairman LORD CLIFFORD, Ugbrook Park, Chudleigh. 
 Clerk SID. HACKER, Newton Abbot. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 479 
 
 Name of District. 
 In order of Coast 
 fromN.W.toN.E. 
 
 31. 
 Exe. 
 
 LIMITS OF DISTRICT. 
 
 The Esk and its estuary and tributaries, all rivers flowing into the sea 
 between Clerk Rock and first headland west of Ottermouth ; and 
 the coast between those points. 
 
 ANNUAL CLOSE SEASON FOR SALMON. 
 
 (All dates inclusive.) 
 NETS, &c. 1st September to 1st March. 
 RODS 2nd November to 1st March. 
 The GAFF (see River Eden) 1st May to 30th September. 
 
 BOD LICENCE DUTY. 
 
 Salmon (including Trout and Char). 
 Season, 1. 
 
 Chairman J. E. C. WALKEY, Ide, near Exeter. 
 Clerk B. J. FOUD, 25, Southernhay, Exeter. 
 
 32. 
 
 Otter. 
 
 LIMITS OF DISTRICT. 
 
 The Otter and its estuary and tributaries ; all rivers flowing into the 
 sea between first headland west of Ottermouth and Beer Head ; 
 and the coast between those points. 
 
 ANNUAL CLOSE SEASON FOR SALMON. 
 
 (All dates inclusive.) 
 
 NETS, <fec. 1st September to 1st February. 
 RODS 2nd November to 1st February. 
 The GAFF is used throughout the whole Angling Season. 
 
 BOD LICENCE DUTY. 
 
 Salmon (including Trout and Char). 
 Season, 1. 
 
 33. 
 Axe. 
 
 LIMITS OF DISTRICT. 
 
 The Axe and it estuary and tributaries ; all rivers flowing into the 
 sea between Beer Head and Portland Bill ; and the coast between 
 those points. 
 
 ANNUAL CLOSE SEASON FOR SALMON. 
 
 (All dates inclusive.) 
 
 NETS, Ac. 20th September to 30th April. 
 RODS 20th November to 30th April. 
 The GAFF is used throughout the whole Angling Season. 
 
480 
 
 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 Name of District. 
 In order of Coast 
 fromN.W.toN.E. 
 
 23. 
 
 Axe 
 
 toniimieil. 
 
 BOD LICENCE DUTY. 
 
 Salmon (including Trout and Char). 
 Season, 10s. 
 
 Chairman W. H. B. KNIGHT, Cloakham House, Axminster. 
 Clerk W. FORWARD, Axminster. 
 
 J4 LIMITS OF DISTRICT. 
 
 Frome ^ e Frome an d i ts estuary and tributaries ; all rivers flowing into the 
 sea between Portland Bill and the west boundary of Hants ; and 
 the coast between those points. 
 
 ANNUAL CLOSE SEASON FOR SALMON. 
 
 (All dates inclusive.) 
 
 NETS, ifec. 1st September to 1st February. 
 RODS 2nd November to 1st February. 
 The GAFF is used throughout the whole Angling Season. 
 
 EOD LICENCE DUTY. 
 
 Salmon (including Trout and Char). 
 Season, \. 
 
 Chairman W. M. CALCRAFT, Rernpstone Hall, Corfe Castle. 
 Clerk P. E. L. BUDGE, Wareham. 
 
 35. 
 
 Avon and 
 Stour. 
 
 LIMITS OF DISTRICT. 
 
 The Avon and Stour and their tributaries in Hants, Dorset, and Wilts ; 
 their estuaries ; all rivers between the west boundary of Hants 
 and Hurst Castle Lighthouse ; and the 'coast between those 
 points. 
 
 ANNUAL CLOSE SEASON FOR SALMON. 
 
 (All dates inclusive.) 
 * NETS, <fec. 31st July to 1st February. 
 RODS 2nd October to 1st February. 
 The GAFF is used throughout the whole Angling Season. 
 
 ROD LICENCE DUTY. 
 
 Salmon (including Trout and Char). 
 Season, 1. 
 
 Chairman Hon. E. B. PORTMAN, 46, Cadogan Place, London, S.\V. 
 Clerk R. D. SHARP, Christchurch. 
 
 * The Annual Close Season for puts and putchers is from 1st September to 
 1st May. 
 
THE SALMON* FLY. 
 
 4H1 
 
 Name of District. 
 lu order of Coast 
 from N.W. toN.E. 
 
 36. 
 
 Ouse. 
 (Sussex.) 
 
 LIMITS OF DISTRICT. 
 
 The Ouse and its estuary and tributaries ; the coast, and all rivers 
 flowing into the sea, between Portobello Coastguard Station 
 and Seaford Head Signal House ; and the sea for 3 miles 
 seaward. 
 
 ANNUAL CLOSE SEASON FOR SALMON. 
 
 (All dates inclusive.) 
 NETS, <tc. 1st September to 1st April. 
 RODS 1st November to 1st April. 
 The GAFF is used throughout the whole Angling Season. 
 
 EOD LICENCE DUTY. 
 Salmon (including Trout and Char). 
 Season, 5s. 
 
 Chairman JAMES H. SCLATEH, Newick Park, Newick, Lewes. 
 Clerk F. HOLMAX, 86, High Street, Lewes. 
 
 37. 
 
 Stour. 
 (Canter- 
 bury.) 
 
 LIMITS OF DISTRICT. 
 
 The Stour and its estuary and tributaries ; all rivers flowing into the 
 sea l>etween the north and south Forelands ; and the coast between 
 those points. 
 
 ANNUAL CLOSE SEASON FOR SALMON. 
 
 (All dates inclusive.) 
 NETS, &c. 1st September to 1st Ma}'. 
 RODS 2nd November to 1st May. 
 The GAFF is used throughout the whole Angling Season. 
 
 EOD LICENCE DUTY. 
 Salmon (including Trout and Char). 
 Season, 1. 
 
 Chairman 
 
 Clerk M. KINGSFORD, Canterbury. 
 
 38. 
 Trent. 
 
 ANNUAL CLOSE SEASON FOR SALMON. 
 
 (All dates inclusive.) 
 
 NETS, &c. 1st September to 1st February. 
 RODS 2nd Noveml>er to 1st February. 
 The GAFF is used throughout the whole Angling Season. 
 
 I I 
 
482 
 
 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 Name of District 
 In order of CoaBt 
 fromN.W.toN.E. 
 
 38. 
 
 Trent 
 
 Continued. 
 
 ROD LICENCE DUTY. 
 Salmon (including Trout and Char). 
 Season, 10s. 
 
 Chairman Sir CHARLES WOLSELEY, Bart., Wolseley Hall, Stafford. 
 Clerk C. K. EDDOWES, 13, St. Mary's Gate, Derby. 
 
 39. 
 
 Yorkshire 
 
 40. 
 
 Esk. 
 
 (Yorks.) 
 
 LIMITS OF DISTRICT. 
 
 The Yorks half of the Humber ; all rivers in Yorks, with their 
 tributaries flowing into the Seine ; the coast, and the sea for 
 3 miles seaward, between Spurn Head, and the north side of 
 Thorney Beck ; all rivers in Yorks flowing into the sea between 
 those points. 
 
 ANNUAL CLOSE SEASON FOR SALMON. 
 
 (All dates inclusive.) 
 
 NETS, ifcc. 1st September to 1st February. 
 RODS 16th November to last day of February. 
 The GAFF (see River Eden) 1st May to 1st November. 
 ROD LICENCE DUTY. 
 
 Salmon (including Trout and Char). 
 Season, 1. 
 
 Chairman Capt. the Hon. CECIL BUNCOMBE, The Grange, Nawton, 
 
 York. 
 Clerk J. H. PHILLIPS, 22, Albemarle Crescent, Scarborough. 
 
 LIMITS OF DISTRICT. 
 
 The Esk and its estuary and tributaries ; the coast, and all rivers 
 flowing into the sea, between the north side of Thorney Beck 
 and the south side of Skinningrove Beck ; and the sea for 3 miles 
 seaward. 
 
 ANNUAL CLOSE SEASON FOR SALMON. 
 
 (All dates inclusive.) 
 
 NETS, &c. 1st September to 1st February. 
 RODS 2nd November to 1st February. 
 The GAFF is used throughout the whole Angling Season. 
 ROD LICENCE DUTY. 
 
 Salmon (including Trout and Char). 
 Season, 10s. ; month, 5s. ; day, 2s. 6d. (Monthly and day licences are 
 
 not to extend beyond 30th June.) 
 
 Chairman Lieut.-Col. J. W. RICHARDSON, The Hall, Sneaton, Whitby. 
 Clerk W. BIIOWN, The Sawmills, Whitby. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 48S 
 
 Name of District, 
 in order of Const 
 fromN.W. toN.E. 
 
 41. 
 
 Tees. 
 
 42. 
 Wear. 
 
 43. 
 
 Tynr. 
 
 LIMITS OF DISTRICT. 
 
 The coast and territorial sea between lines drawn seawards from (1) 
 the south side of Skinningrove Beck, and (2) the north side of 
 the stream near Hardwick Hall ; and all rivers (with their tribu- 
 taries and estuaries) flowing thereinto. 
 
 ANNUAL CLOSE SEASON FOR SALMON. 
 
 (All dates inclusive.) 
 
 NETS, ike. 1st September to 1st February. 
 RODS 2nd November to 1st February. 
 The GAFF is used throughout the whole Angling Season. 
 
 EOD LICENCE DUTY. 
 Salmon (including Trout and Char). 
 Season, 1. 
 
 Chairman Rt Hon. J. LOWTHER, M.P., 59, Grosvenor Street, 
 
 London, S.W. 
 Clerk M. B. DODDS, Stockton-on-Tees. 
 
 LIMITS OF DISTRICT. 
 
 The Wear and its estuary and tributaries ; the coast, and all rivers 
 flowing into the sea, between the north side of the stream near 
 Hardwick Hall and Souter Point ; and the sea for three miles 
 seaward. 
 
 ANNUAL CLOSE SEASON FOR SALMON. 
 
 (All dates inclusive.) 
 
 NETS, fec. 1st September to 1st February. 
 RODS 2nd November to 1st February. 
 The GAFF is used throughout the Season. 
 
 EOD LICENCE DUTY. 
 
 Salmon (including Trout and Char). 
 Season, 5s. 
 
 Chairman Colonel T. C. McKENZiE, The Cedars, Sunderland. 
 Clerk WM. HALCRO, 52, John Street, Sunderland. 
 
 LIMITS OF DISTRICT. 
 
 The Tyne and its estuary and tributaries ; all rivers flowing into the 
 sea between Souter Point and Crag Point ; and the coast, and the 
 sea for three miles seaward, between Souter Point and Newbiggin 
 Point. 
 
 II 2 
 
484 
 
 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 Name of District 
 In order of Coast. 
 fromN.W.toN.K. 
 
 43. 
 
 Tyne 
 
 rontinual. 
 
 AKNUAL CLOSE SEASON FOB SALMON. 
 
 (All dates inclusive.) 
 
 NETS, &c. 1st September to 1st February. 
 RODS 2nd November to 1st February. 
 The GAFF is used throughout the whole season. 
 
 EOD LICENCE DUTY. 
 Salmon (including Trout and Char). 
 
 Whole district, 1 ; in South Tyne, above Warden Dam, as. : in 
 Reedwater and North Tyne, above junction of Reed and Tyne, 
 10s. ; in Reed above Old Bridge, 5s. 
 
 Chairman J. M. RIDLEY, Walwick Hall, Humshaugh, Northumlx-r- 
 
 land. 
 Clerk R GIHSON, Hexham. 
 
 44. 
 Coquet. 
 
 LIMITS OF DISTRICT. 
 
 The Coquet and its tributaries ; and all rivers Mowing into the st-a 
 between a point of two miles north of Coquet mouth and a point 
 seven miles south of Coquet mouth ; and the coast, and the sea 
 for three miles seaward, between Newbiggin Point and Hawick 
 Burn mouth. 
 
 ANNUAL CLOSE SEASON FOR SALMON. 
 
 (All dates inclusive.) 
 
 NETS, &c. 15th September to 25th March. 
 RODS 1st November to 31st January. 
 The GAFF (see River Eden) 1st February to 30th September. 
 
 EOD LICENCE DUTY. 
 
 Salmon (including Trout and Char). 
 Season, 5s. 
 
 Chairman Rev. R. BURDON, Heddon-on-the-Wall, North uml>erland. 
 Clerk C. PERCY, Alnwick. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 485 
 
 SALMON FISHING IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. 
 
 AXXTAL CLOSE SEASONS FOR FISHING FOR SALMON OTHERWISE THAN BY 
 EOD AND LlNE, AS APPOINTED UP TO THE 31ST JULY, 1893. 
 
 ENGLAND AND WALES. 
 
 The Statutory Annual Close Season for fishing for Salmon, otherwise than by 
 Rod and Line, in England and Wales, is from SEPTEMBER 1st to FEBRUARY 1st, 
 except in those oases where this Close Season has been altered as follows : 
 
 Name of District. Close Season for Nets. 
 
 (All clays inclusive. ) 
 
 Avon and Stour (Hants) ... ... ... July 31st to February 1st. 
 
 Avon and Erme (Devon) (River Erme 
 
 only) ... ... ... ... ... September 30th to April 4th. 
 
 Avon (rest of district) ... ... ... September 30th to May 1st. 
 
 Axe September 20th to April 30th. 
 
 Camel ... ... ... ... ... November 1st to April 4th. 
 
 Cleddy ... September 15th to March 15th. 
 
 Clwyd and Elwy ... ... ... ... September 15th to May 15th. 
 
 Conway ... ... ... ... ... September 15th to April 30th. 
 
 Coquet ... ... ... ... ... September 15th to March 25th. 
 
 Cumberland, West (Elien, Calcler, Irt, Esk, 
 
 Mite) . . . ... ... ... ... September 1 5th to March 3 1 st. 
 
 Dart... ... ... ... ... ... September 1st to March 1st. 
 
 Dee ... ... ... ... ... ... September 1st to March 31st. 
 
 Derwent (Cumberland) ... ... ... September 15th to March 10th. 
 
 Dovey, Mawddach, and Grlaslyn ... ... September 14th to April 30th. 
 
 Dwyfach ... ... ... ... ... September 15th to March 1st. 
 
 Helen, in the Solway, from Old Sandsfield 
 
 downwards only ... ... ... September 10th to February 10th. 
 
 Exe ... ... ... ... ... ... September 1st to March 1st. 
 
 Fowey (below Lostwithiel Bridge only) ... November 1st to April 4th. 
 
 Kent, Leven, Duddon, Bela, Winster ... September 15th to March 31st. 
 
 Lune (in tidal waters) ... ... ... September 8th to March 1st. 
 
 Lune (in upper waters) .. ... ... September 15th to March 1st. 
 
486 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 ENGLAND AND WALES continued. 
 
 Name of District. Close Season for Nets. 
 
 (All Jays inclusive. ) 
 
 Ogmore and Ewenny ... ... ... September 15th to April 30th. 
 
 Ouse (Sussex) ... ... ... ... September 1st to April 1st. 
 
 Rhymney ... ... ... ... ... September 1st to April 1st. 
 
 Seiont, Gwrfai, and Llyfni... ... ... September 15th to March 1st. 
 
 Severn (in the Borough of Shrewsbury 
 
 only)... ... ... ... ... September 1st to June 15th. 
 
 Stour (Canterbury) ... ... ... ... September 1st to May 1st. 
 
 TaffandEly August 31st to April 30th. 
 
 Taw and Torridge September 21st to April 30th. 
 
 Teign ... ... ... ... ... September 1st to March 2nd. 
 
 Towy, Loughor and Taf (in the sea 
 
 between Carmarthen Bar and St. 
 
 Govin's Head) September 1st to April 30th. 
 
 Towy, Loughor, and Taf (in other parts of 
 
 the district) ... ... ... ... September 1st to March 15th. 
 
 Usk and Ebbw ... ... ... ... September 1st to April 1st. 
 
 IRELAND. 
 
 Name of District. * Close Season for Tidal Nets. 
 
 (All days inclusive.) 
 
 Achill Island ... ... ... .. September 1st to February 15th. 
 
 Annagassan . . . ... ... ... ... August 20th to February llth. 
 
 Ballisodare ... ... ... ... ... September 14th to March 3rd. 
 
 Ballycastle (County Mayo) ... ... ... August 13th to March 15th. 
 
 Ballycroy Rivers ... ... ... ... September 1st to February 15th. 
 
 Ballynahinch ... ... ... ... August 16th to January 31st. 
 
 Bandon ... ... ... ... ... August 16th to last day in February. 
 
 Bann... ... ... ... ... ... August 20th to February 3rd. 
 
 Bantry Bay Rivers ... ... ... ... October 1st to April 30th. 
 
 Barrow ... ... ... ... ... August 16th to January 31st. 
 
 Blackwater ... ... ... ... ... August 1st to January 31st. 
 
 Boyne ... ... ... ... ... August 5th to February llth. 
 
 Buncrana ... ... ... ... ... September 15th to April 14th. 
 
 Bundrowes ... ... ... ... ... August 20th to last day in February. 
 
 Burrishoole ... ... ... ... ... September 1st to February 15th. 
 
 Bush... ... ... ... ... ... August 20th to March 16th. 
 
 Carragh ... ... ... ... ... August 1st to January 16th. 
 
 * In a few instances in Ireland, the season for fresh water netting differs from the tidal netting. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 487 
 
 I REL AN D continued. 
 
 Name of District. * Close Season for Tidal Nets. 
 
 (All days inclusive.) 
 
 Carrownisky... ... ... ... ... September 16th to June 30th. 
 
 Cashla or Costello ... ... ... ... August 16th to January 31st. 
 
 Cashen ... ... ... ... September 1st to May 31st. 
 
 Clifden ... ... ... ... ... September 1st to February 15th. 
 
 Clohane ... ... ... ... ... September 16th to March 31st. 
 
 Crumlin ... ... ... ... ... August 16th to January 31st. 
 
 Dawros or Kyleinore ... ... ... September 1st to February 15th. 
 
 Dee August 20th to February llth. 
 
 Deel or Askeaton ... ... ... . . Prohibited. 
 
 Delphi ... ... ... ... ... September 1st to February loth. 
 
 Doohulla ... ... ... ... ... August 16th to January 31st. 
 
 Doonbeg ... September 16th to April 30th. 
 
 Drumcliffe ... ... ... ... ... August 20th to February 3rd. 
 
 Easkey ... ... ... ... ... September 1st to May 31st. 
 
 Ennistymon or Lahinch ... ... ... September 16th to April 30th. 
 
 Erriff ... ... ... ... ... September 1st to February 15th. 
 
 Erne ... ... ... ... ... ... August 20th to last day in February. 
 
 Eske ' September 18th to March 31st. 
 
 Fane... October 1st to April 30th. 
 
 Fergus ... ... ... ... August 1st to February llth. 
 
 Foyle ... ... ... ... ... September 1st to April 14th. 
 
 Gal way ... ... ... ... ... September 1st to February 15th. 
 
 Gien of Teelin ... ... ... ... August 20th to last day in February. 
 
 Glenamoy ... ... ... ... ... September 16th to April 30th. 
 
 Gienarm ... ... ... ... ... August 20th to March 16th. 
 
 Glendun August 20th to March 16th. 
 
 Glyde ... August 20th to February 1 1 th. 
 
 Grange ... ... ... ... ... August 20th to February 3rd. 
 
 Gweebarra ... ... ... ... ... October 1st to March 31st, 
 
 Gweedore ... ... ... ... ... August 20th to February 3rd. 
 
 Hen October 1st to April 30th. 
 
 limy... ... ... ... ... ... October 1st to April 30th. 
 
 Inver (County Galway) ... ... ... August 16th to January 31st. 
 
 Kenmare Bay Rivers ... ... ... September 16th to March 31st. 
 
 Kilcolgan ... ... ... ... ... August 1 6th to January 3 1 st. 
 
 Laune (County Kerry) ... ... ... August 1st to January 16th. 
 
 Leanane ... ... ... ... ... August 20th to February 3rd. 
 
 Lee ... ... ... ... ... ... August 16th to January 31st. 
 
 * In a few instances in Ireland, the season for fresh water netting differs from the tidal netting. 
 
488 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 IRELAND continued. 
 
 Name of District. * Close Season for Tidal Nets. 
 
 (All days inclusive.) 
 
 Liffey ... ... ... ... ... August 16th to January 31st. 
 
 Lough Neagh ... ... ... ... August 20th to last day in February. 
 
 Louisburgli ... ... ... ... ... September 16th to June 30th. 
 
 Maigue ... ... ... ... ... July 17th to January 31st. 
 
 Maine (County Kerry) ... ... .._ September 16th to April 30th. 
 
 May... ... ... ... ... ... August 13th to March 15th. 
 
 Moyour ... ... ... ... ... September 1st to February 15th. 
 
 Mulcaire ... ... ... ... ... August 1st to February llth. 
 
 Munhim ... ... ... ... ... September 1st to February 15th. 
 
 Newport ... ... ... ... ... September IsA to March 19th. 
 
 Nore... ... ... ... ... ... August 16th to January 31st. 
 
 Owenea (Glenties) ... ... ... ... September 1st to May 31st. 
 
 Owengarve ... ... ... ... ... September 1st to February 15th. 
 
 Owenmore (County Mayo) ... ... ... September 1st to February 15th. 
 
 Palmerston ... ... ... ... ... September 1st to May 31st. 
 
 Roe ... ... ... ... ... ... September 1st to April 14th. 
 
 Screeb ... ... ... ... . . August 16th to January 31st. 
 
 Shannon ... ... ... ... ... August 1st to February llth. 
 
 Slaney ... September 30th to March 31st. 
 
 Sligo ... July 16th to December 31st. 
 
 Spiddal ... ... ... ... ... August 16th to January 31st. 
 
 Suir ... ... ... ... ... ... August 16th to January 31st. 
 
 Waterville ... ... July 16th to December 31st. 
 
 SCOTLAND. 
 
 The Annual Close Season for fishing for Salmon, otherwise than by Rod and 
 Line, in Scotland, is from AUGUST 27TH to FEBRUARY 10TH, except in the 
 following Districts : 
 
 Name of District. Close Season for Nets. 
 
 (All days inclusive. ) 
 
 Add ' 
 
 Drummachloy or Glenmore (Isle of Bute)... 
 Eckaig 
 
 Esk, North ... 
 
 Esk, South . . . 
 
 Fyne, Shira, and Aray (Lock Fyne) 
 
 Ruel.. 
 
 September 1st to February 15th. 
 
 * In a few instances in Ireland, the season for fresh water netting differs from the tidal netting. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 489 
 
 SCOTL AN D continued. 
 
 Name of District. 
 
 Annan 
 
 Bervie ... ... .... 
 
 Carradale (Cantyre) 
 
 Claybuni, Finnis Bay, Avennan-Gesen, 
 
 Strathgravat, North Lacastile, 
 
 Scalladale, and Mawrig (East 
 
 Harris) 
 Fincastle, Meaveg, Ballanachist, South 
 
 Lacastile, Borve, and Obh (West 
 
 Harris) 
 
 Fleet (Kirkcudbright) 
 Fleet (Sutherland) ... 
 Girvan 
 Howmore 
 Inner (Jura)... 
 lorsa (Arran) 
 Irvine and Garnock 
 Laggan and Sorn (Islay) ... 
 Luce ... ... ... ... ... ... 
 
 Mullanageren, Horasary, and Loch-na-Ciste 
 
 (North Uist) 
 
 Nith 
 
 Orkney Islands (River from Loch of 
 
 Stenness, &c.) 
 
 Shetland Islands (River of Sandwater, &c.) 
 Stinchar 
 
 Ugie... 
 
 U rr ... 
 
 Ythan 
 
 Tweed 
 
 Close Season for Xets. 
 (All clays inclusive.) 
 
 September 10th to February 24th. 
 
 September 10th to February 24th. 
 
 September 15th to February 14th. 
 
490 
 
 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 TABLE SHOWING THE CLOSE SEASONS FOR SALMON AND TEOUT 
 
 IX THE DIFFERENT DISTRICTS IN IEELAND AT DATE OCTOBER, 
 
 1893. 
 
 No. and Name 
 of District. 
 
 I. 
 
 Dublin. 
 
 BOUNDARY OF DISTRICT. 
 Skerries to Wicklow. 
 
 TIDAL. 
 
 Between Howth and Dalkey Island, between 15th August and 1st 
 February ; between Dalkey Island and Wicklow Head, between 
 30th September and 1st April; for remainder of District, between 
 15th September and 4th March. 
 
 FRESH WATER. 
 
 Same as Tidal, save between Dalkey Island and Wicklow Head (ex- 
 clusive of Bray River), which is between 15th August and 1st 
 April ; and, save also in Bray River, which is between 30th 
 September and 1st April. 
 
 ANGLING WITH CROSS LINES. 
 Same as Nets in Fresh Water. 
 
 ANGLING WITH SINGLE BOD AND LINE. 
 
 Between 31st October and 1st February, save Broadmeadow Water 
 and Ward Rivers, between 14th October and 1st February. 
 
 DATE OF LAST CHANGE. 
 
 15th October, 1874; 21st July, 1882; 27th January, 1883; 4th 
 September, 1893. 
 
 PRINCIPAL RIVERS IN DISTRICT. 
 Liffey, Bray, Vartry. 
 
 Wexford. 
 
 BOUNDARY OF DISTRICT. 
 Wicklow to Kiln Bay, east of Bannow Bay. 
 
 TIDAL. 
 
 Between 15th September to 20th April, save in River Slaney, vhich 
 is between 29th September and 1st April. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 I'll 
 
 No. and Name 
 of District. 
 
 Wexford- 
 
 continued. 
 
 FRESH WATER. 
 Between 15th September and 20th April. 
 
 ANGLING WITH CROSS LINES. 
 Same as for Nets in Fresh Water. 
 
 ANGLING WITH SINGLE BOD AND LINE. 
 
 Between 30th September and 15th March, save River Slaney and 
 tributaries, between 14th September and 16th February. 
 
 DATE OF LAST CHANGE. 
 26th December, 1873; 2nd October, 1882; 24th December, 1888. 
 
 PRINCIPAL EIVERS IN DISTRICT. 
 Slaney, Courtown, Inch, Urrin, Boro. 
 
 3. 
 
 Water- 
 ford. 
 
 BOUNDARY OF DISTRICT. 
 Kiln Bay to Helvick Head. 
 
 TIDAL. 
 Between 15th August and 1st February. 
 
 FRESH WATER. 
 Same as Tidal. 
 
 ANGLING WITH CROSS LINES. 
 Same as for Nets in Fresh Water. 
 
 ANGLING WITH SINGLE BOD AND LINE. 
 
 Between 30th Sept-ember and 1st February, save River Suir and 
 tributaries, between 15th October and 1st February. 
 
 DATE OF LAST CHANGE. 
 12th November, 1874; 17th February, 1883. 
 
 PRINCIPAL KIVERS IN DISTRICT. 
 
 Suir, Nore, and Barrow. 
 
 4. 
 Lismore. 
 
 BOUNDARY OF DISTRICT. 
 
 Helvick Head to Ballycotton. 
 
 TIDAL. 
 
 Between 31st July and 1st February. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 No. and Name 
 of District. 
 
 4. 
 
 Lismore 
 cantiniinl. 
 
 FRESH WATER. 
 Same as Tidal. 
 
 ANGLING WITH CBOSS LINES. 
 Same as for Nets in Fresh Water. 
 
 ANGLING WITH SINGLE KOD AND LINE. 
 Between 30th September and 1st February. 
 
 DATE OF LAST CHANGE. 
 8th September, 1893. 
 
 PRINCIPAL EIVERS IN DISTRICT. 
 Blackwater. 
 
 5. 
 Cork. 
 
 BOUNDARY OF DISTRICT. 
 Ballycotton Head to Galley Head. 
 
 TIDAL. 
 
 From Ballycotton to Barry's Head, between 15th August and 1st 
 February ; and from Barry's Head to Galley Head (save in 
 Bandon and Argideen Rivers) lietween 1 5th August and 15th 
 February; for Bandon, between 15th August and 1st March; 
 and for Argideen, between 31st August and 1st March. 
 
 FRESH WATER. 
 
 Same as Tidal. 
 
 ANGLING WITH CROSS LINES. 
 Same as for Nets in Fresh Water. 
 
 ANGLING WITH SINGLE ROD AND LINE. 
 
 From Ballycotton to Barry's Head, between 12th Octol>er and 1st 
 February; and from Barry's Head to Galley Head, between 12th 
 October and 15th February, save in the Argideen River, which is 
 between the 31st October and 15th February. 
 
 DATE OF LAST CHANGE. 
 20th September, 1875 ; Hth December, 1881 ; 6th April, 1889. 
 
 PRINCIPAL EIVERS IN DISTRICT. 
 
 Lee, Bandon, Argideen. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 498 
 
 No. and Xaine 
 of District. 
 
 6 1 . BOUNDARY OF DISTRICT. 
 
 Skibber- | Galley Head to Mizen Head, 
 een. 
 
 TIDAL. 
 Between 30th September and 1st May. 
 
 FRESH WATER. 
 Same as Tidal. 
 
 ANGLING WITH CROSS LINES. 
 
 Same as for Nets in Fresh Water. 
 
 ANGLING WITH SINGLE ROD AND LINE. 
 Between 31st October and 1st February. 
 
 DATE OF LAST CHANGE. 
 17th June, 1891. 
 
 PRINCIPAL RIVERS IN DISTRICT. 
 Hen. 
 
 6". 
 
 BOUNDARY OF DISTRICT. 
 
 Bantry. ! Mizen Head to Crow Head. 
 
 TIDAL. 
 Between 30th September and 1st May. 
 
 FRESH WATER. 
 Same as Tidal. 
 
 ANGLING WITH CROSS LINES. 
 Same as for Nets in Fresh Water. 
 
 ANGLING WITH SINGLE ROD AND LINE. 
 Between 31st October and 17th March. 
 
 DATE OF LAST CHANGE. 
 29th January, 1873. 
 
 PRINCIPAL RIVERS IN DISTRICT. 
 
 Glengariffe, Snave, ifcc. 
 
494 
 
 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 N'o. ami Name 
 <>f District. 
 
 G". 
 Kenmare. 
 
 7. 
 Killarney. 
 
 BOUNDARY OF DISTRICT. 
 Crow Head to Lamb Head. 
 
 TIDAL. 
 Between 15th September and 1st April. 
 
 FRESH WATER. 
 Same as Tidal. 
 
 ANGLING WITH CROSS LINES. 
 Same as for Nets in Fresh Water. 
 
 ANGLING WITH SINGLE ROD AND LINE. 
 Between 31st October and 1st April. 
 
 DATE OF LAST CHANGE. 
 7th February, 1856 ; 14th November, 1882. 
 
 PRINCIPAL RIVERS IN DISTRICT. 
 Blackwater, Roughty, Cloonee, Sneem. 
 
 BOUNDARY OF DISTRICT. 
 Lamb Head to Dunmore Head, including Blaskets. 
 
 TIDAL. 
 
 Between Dunmore Head and Canglass Point, embracing the Blasket 
 Island, the sea and sea coast between these points, and all lakes 
 and rivers and their tributaries running into the sea between 
 said points, save the rivers Maine, Laune, Carragh, and Rosbehy 
 or Behy, and their lakes and tributaries between 31st August and 
 1st May. 
 
 In River Maine and its tributaries, between 15th September and 
 1st May. In Rivers Laune, Carragh, and Rosbehy or Behy, 
 and their lakes and tributaries, between 31st July and 17th 
 January. 
 
 Between Canglass Point and Bolus Head, embracing the islands and 
 sea and coast between these points, and all lakes and rivers and 
 their tributaries running into the sea between said points, between 
 15th September and 1st June. 
 
 Between Bolus Head and Lamb Head, embracing the islands and sea 
 and coasts between these points, and all lakes and rivers and their 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 495 
 
 No. and Name 
 of District. 
 
 i. 
 
 Killarney 
 continued. 
 
 tributaries running into the sea between these two points, save 
 the River Inny and the Waterville or Currane River and their 
 tributaries, between 31st July and 1st May, 
 
 In the River Inny and its tributaries, between 30th September and 
 1st May. 
 
 In "Waterville or Currane River and its tributaries, and all lakes 
 running into said river, between 15th July and 1st January. 
 
 FRESH WATER. 
 
 Same as Tidal. 
 
 ANGLING WITH CROSS LINES. 
 
 Same as for Nets in Fresh Water. 
 
 ANGLING WITH SINGLE BOD AND LINE. 
 . 
 Between Dunmore Head and Inch Point, and embracing all lakes and 
 
 all rivers and their tributaries running into the sea between those 
 points, between 31st October and 1st April. 
 
 Between Inch Point and Canglass Point, and including all lakes and 
 all rivers and their tributaries flowing into the sea between those 
 points, save the River Maine and its tributaries, between 15th 
 October and 1st February. 
 
 In River Maine and its tributaries between 31st October and 1st 
 April. 
 
 Between Canglass Point and Bolus Head, and embracing all 
 lakes and rivers and their tributaries flowing into the sea between 
 those points, between 15th September and 1st June. 
 
 Between Bolus Head and Lamb Head, and embracing all lakes and 
 rivers and their tributaries flowing into the sea between those 
 points, between 15th October and 1st February. 
 
 DATE OF LAST CHANGE. 
 27th September, 1889. 
 
 PRINCIPAL KIVERS IN DISTRICT. 
 Inny, Rosl:ehy, Currane, Baleneia, Maine, Laune, Caragh. 
 
491) 
 
 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 No. anil 
 of District. 
 
 8. BOUNDARY OF DISTRICT. 
 
 Limerick. Dunmore to Hags Head. 
 
 TIDAL. 
 
 Bet ween 3 1st July and 1 2th February, save Rivers Cashen and Maiguc 
 and tributaries, and save between Kerry Head and Dunmore Head, 
 and between Loop Head and Hag's Head, and all rivers running 
 into the sea between those points. 
 
 For River Cashen (down to its mouth) and tributaries, between 31st 
 August and 1st June. 
 
 For Maigue River, between 16th July and 1st February. 
 
 Between Dunmore Head and Kerry Head, and all rivers flowing 
 into the sea between those points, between 15th September and 
 1st April. 
 
 Between Loop Head and Hag's Head, and all rivers running into the 
 sea between those points, between 15th September and 1st May. 
 
 FEESH WATER. 
 Same as Tidal. 
 
 ANGLING WITH CROSS LINES. 
 Same as for Nets in Fresh Water. 
 
 ANGLING WITH SINGLE KOD AND LINE. 
 
 Between 30th September and 1st February, save in that part situated 
 in the County Westmeath, the waters of which flow into Lough 
 Ree and the River Shannon, and save in Lough Sheelin ; save 
 Shannon, Feale, Geale, and Cashen, save in Mulcair River, and 
 save in all rivers running into the sea, between Loop Head and 
 Hag's Head, and between Dunmore Head and Kerry Head, and 
 save also in Rivers Owenmore and Feohanagh, in the County 
 of Kerry, which are situated between Dunmore Head and Kerry 
 Head. 
 
 For Rivers Shannon and Mulcair between 31st October and 1st February 
 following. 
 
 For Feale, Geale, and Cashen and tributaries, between 31st October 
 and 1st May ; between Loop Head and Hag's Head, between 30th 
 September and 1st March and between Dunmore Head and Kerry 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 497 
 
 No. and Name 
 of District. 
 
 8. 
 
 Limerick - 
 continued. 
 
 Head (save in the Rivers Owenmore and Feohanagh), between 
 30th September and 1st April. 
 
 For Owenmore and Feohanagh, situated between Dunmore Head and 
 Kerry Head, between 31st October and 1st May. 
 
 For that part of the Limerick district, situated in the County of West- 
 meath, the waters of which flow into Lough Ree and River 
 Shannon, and for Lough Sheelin, between 30th September and 
 1st March. 
 
 DATE OF LAST CHANGE. 
 
 13th October, 1874 ; 17th September, 1878 ; 27th August, 1879 ; 19th 
 August, 1882; 8th September, 1885; 27th August, 1889; 14th 
 September, 1889 ; 18th January, 1893. 
 
 PRINCIPAL EIVERS IN DISTRICT. 
 Shannon, Deel, Fergus, Doonbeg, Cashen, Maigue, &c. 
 
 9 1 . 
 Gal way. 
 
 BOUNDARY OF DISTRICT. 
 
 Hag's Head to Sea Point of boundary between Townlands of Keeraun- 
 nagark South and Banraghbaun South S.E. of Cashla Coastguard 
 Station. 
 
 TIDAL. 
 
 Between 15th August and 1st February, save in Corrib or Galway, 
 which is between 31st August and 16th February. 
 
 FRESH WATER. 
 Same as Tidal. 
 
 ANGLING WITH CROSS LINES. 
 Same as for Nets in Fresh Water. 
 
 ANGLING WITH SINGLE BOD AND LINE. 
 
 Between 15th October and 1st February, save Spiddal and Crumlin, 
 which is between. 31st October and 1st February; and save 
 Oughterard and tributaries, which is between 30th September 
 and 1st February. 
 
 DATE OF LAST CHANGE. 
 
 26th December, 1871; 23rd October, 1876; 20th August, 1878; 
 10th July, 1879 ; 27th January, 1887. 
 
 PRINCIPAL EIVERS IN DISTRICT. 
 Corrib, Spiddle, Crumlin, Oughterard, &c. 
 
 K K 
 
498 
 
 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 No. and Name 
 of District. 
 
 9 2 . 
 
 Conne- 
 mara. 
 
 BOUNDARY OF DISTBICT. 
 
 Sea point of boundary between Townlands of Keeraunnagark South 
 and Banraghbaun South, S.E. of Cashla Coastguard Station to 
 Slyne Head. 
 
 TIDAL. 
 Between 15th August and 1st February. 
 
 FRESH WATER. 
 Same as Tidal. 
 
 ANGLING WITH CROSS LINES. 
 
 Same as for Nets in Fresh Water. 
 
 ANGLING WITH SINGLE BOD &XD LINE. 
 
 Between 15th October and 1st February, save Doohulla, Cashla, 
 Ballinahinch, Screeb, and Inver, which is between 31st October 
 and 1st February. 
 
 DATE OF LAST CHANGE. 
 26th December, 1871 ; 17th September, 1877 ; 20th August, 1878. 
 
 PRINCIPAL RIVERS IN DISTRICT. 
 Cashla, Doohulla, Inver, Screeb, Ballinahinch, Gowla, &c. 
 
 Ballina- 
 kill. 
 
 BOUNDARY OF DISTRICT. 
 Slyne Head to Pigeon Point. 
 
 TIDAL. 
 Between 31st August and 16th February, save in Louisburgh and 
 
 Carrownisky Rivers and estuaries. 
 
 For Louisburgh and Carrownisky Rivers and estuaries, between 15th 
 September and 1st July. 
 
 FRESH WATER. 
 
 Same as Tidal. 
 
 ANGLING WITH CROSS LINES. 
 Same as for Nets in Fresh Water. 
 
 ANGLING WITH SINGLE ROD AND LINE. 
 
 Between 31st October and 1st February, save in Carrownisky River 
 between 31st October and 1st July; and save Louisburgh Rivor 
 and tributaries, between 31st October and 1st June. 
 
 DATE OF LAST CHANGE. 
 1st June, 1872 ; 20th December, 1880. 
 
 PRINCIPAL RIVERS IN DISTRICT. 
 Erriff, Dauross, Louisburgh, Carrownisky. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 499 
 
 No. and Name 
 of District. 
 
 10'. 
 Bangor. 
 
 BOUNDARY OF DISTRICT. 
 Pigeon Point to Benwee Head. 
 
 TIDAL. 
 
 Between 31st August and 16th February, save in Newport and Glen- 
 amoy, Burrishoole and Owengarve Rivers and estuaries ; for 
 Newport River and estuary 31st August and 20th March ; Glen- 
 amoy River and estuary, 15th September and 1st May; Burris- 
 hoole and Owengarve River and estuaries, 31st August and 16th 
 February. 
 
 Same as Tidal. 
 
 FRESH WATER. 
 
 ANGLING WITH CROSS LINES. 
 Same as for Nets in Fresh Water. 
 
 ANGLING WITH SINGLE HOD AND LINE. 
 
 Between 30th September and 1st May, save in Owenmore and 
 Munhim, which is between 30th September and 1st February ; 
 and save in Burrishoole, between 31st October and 1st February; 
 and save Owengarve and Glenamoy, between 31st October and 
 1st May ; and save Owenduff or Ballycroy, and Ballyveeny and 
 Owenduff, and all rivers in Achill Island, between 31st October 
 and 1st February. 
 
 DATE OF LAST CHANGE. 
 1st June, 1872; 7th October, 1875; 5th December, 1876. 
 
 PRINCIPAL EIVERS IN DISTRICT. 
 Newport, Owenmore, Burrishoole, Owengarve, Glenamoy, Ballycroy. 
 
 11. 
 Ballina. 
 
 BOUNDARY OF DISTRICT. 
 Benwee to Coonamore. 
 
 TIDAL. 
 
 Between 12th August and Ifith March, save Palmerston and Easkey 
 Rivers, which is batween 31st August and 1st June. 
 
 FRESH WATER. 
 
 Between 31st July and 1st February, save Palmerston and Kaskey 
 Rivers, which is between 31st August and 1st June. 
 
 K K 2 
 
500 
 
 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 No. and Name 
 of District. 
 
 11. 
 
 Ballina 
 continued. 
 
 ANGLING WITH CROSS LINES. 
 Same as for Nets in Fresh Water. 
 
 ANGLING WITH SINGLE HOD AND LINE. 
 
 Between 15th Septemlier and 1st February, save Clounaghmore or 
 Palmerston River and tributaries which is (in Tidal) between 
 31st October and 1st February (upper) between 31st October and 
 1st June ; and save Easkey River and tributaries, which is 
 between 31st October and 1st February. 
 
 DATE OF LAST CHANG K_ 
 19th December, 1870; 10th July, 1877 ; 25th January, 1881. 
 
 PRINCIPAL KIVERS IN DISTRICT. 
 Moy, Easkey, Cloonaghmore. 
 
 12. BOUNDARY OF DISTRICT. 
 
 Sligo. Cooiiamore to Mullaghmore. 
 
 TIDAL. 
 
 Between 19th August and 4th February, save in Sligo River and its 
 estuary, whicli is between 15th July and 1st January; and save 
 also in Ballisodare River and its estuary, which is between 13th 
 September and 4th March. 
 
 FRESH WATER. 
 
 Between 19th August and 4th February, save Sligo River, which is 
 between 31st July and 16th January; and savealsoin Ballisodare 
 River and its estuary, which is between 13th September and 4th 
 March. 
 
 ANGLING WITH CROSS LINES. 
 Same as for Nets in Fresh Water. 
 
 ANGLING WITH SINGLE KOD AND LINE. 
 
 13th September and 1st February, save in Brumcliffe River and 
 Glencar Lake, between 19th October and 1st February; and in 
 Grange River between 31st October and 1st February; and save 
 also in the Tidal parts of the Sligo or Garvogue River, which is 
 between 15th July and 1st January. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 501 
 
 No. and Name 
 of District. 
 
 12. 
 Sligo 
 
 i-o n tinned. 
 
 13. 
 Ballyshan- 
 
 non. 
 
 DATE OF LAST CHANGE. 
 
 24th April, 1871 ; 27th September, 1877 ; 30th January, 1886 ; 
 llth October, 1886; 9th June, 1893. 
 
 PRINCIPAL EIVERS IN DISTRICT. 
 Sligo, Ballisodare, Brumcliffe. 
 
 BOUNDARY OF DISTRICT. 
 Mullaghmore to Rossan. 
 
 TIDAL. 
 
 Between 19th August and 1st March, save River Eske and tributaries, 
 which is between 17th September and 1st April. 
 
 Between 19th August and 4th February for Tidal and for one mile 
 above tideway, save Crana or Buncrana and Gweebarra Rivers, 
 Trawbreaga Bay, and Owenea and Owentocker Rivers. 
 
 FRESH WATER. 
 
 Same as Tidal, save Bundrowes, which is between 31st July and 1st 
 February. 
 
 ANGLING WITH CROSS LINES. 
 Same as for Nets in Fresh Water. 
 
 ANGLING WITH SINGLE ROD AND LIKE. 
 
 Between 9th October and 1st March, save Bunduff, Bundrowes, and 
 Erne Rivers and tributaries ; Bunduff River, 30th September 
 and 1st February ; Bundrowes, 30th September and 1st February ; 
 and Erne River. 30th September and 1st March. 
 
 DATE OF LAST CHANGE. 
 
 24th November, 1871 ; 26th June, 1875; 3rd December, 1884; 31st 
 October, 1891. 
 
 PRINCIPAL RIVERS IN DISTRICT. 
 Glen, Inver, Eske, Bunduff, Dundrowes, Erne. 
 
502 
 
 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 No. and Name 
 of District. 
 
 14. 
 
 Letter- 
 kenny. 
 
 BOUNDARY OF DISTRICT. 
 
 Rossan to Malin Head. 
 
 TIDAL. 
 
 For Crana or Buncrana River, between 14th September and 15th April ; 
 for Gweebarra, between 30th September and 1st April. 
 
 For Trawbreaga Bay, between 30th September and 1st July. 
 
 For Owenea and Owentocker Rivers, between 31st August and 1st 
 June. 
 
 FRESH WATER. 
 
 Between 19th August and 1st March; Crana or Buncrana River, 
 Lennon and Gweebarra Rivers, same as Tidal for these rivers 
 Owenea and Owentocker Rivers, between 19th August and 1st 
 June. 
 
 ANGLING WITH CROSS LINES. 
 Same as for Nets in Fresh Water. 
 
 ANGLING WITH SINGLE EOD AND LINE. 
 
 Between 1st November and 1st February, save in Crana or Buncrana, 
 between 31st October and 1st March; and Owenea and Owen- 
 tocker rivers between 30th September and 1st April. 
 
 DATE OF LAST CHANGE. 
 
 2nd September, 1857 ; 28th February, 1874 ; 25th November, 1874 ; 
 21st March, 1876 ; 3rd August, 1885; 26th August, 1885. 
 
 PRINCIPAL RIVERS IN DISTRICT. 
 Lennon, Gweedore, Gweebarra, Buncrana. 
 
 IIP. 
 
 London- 
 derry. 
 
 BOUNDARY OF DISTRICT. 
 Malin to Downhill boundary. 
 
 TIDAL. 
 Between 31st August and 15th April. 
 
 FRESH WATER. 
 Same as Tidal. 
 
 ANGLING WITH CROSS LINES. 
 
 Same as for Nets in Fresh Water. 
 
.THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 503 
 
 No. and Name 
 of District. 
 
 15'. 
 
 London- 
 derry 
 rontinued. 
 
 ANGLING WITH SINGLE ROD AND LINE. 
 
 Between 10th October and 1st April, save in the Culduff, which is 
 between 15th October and 1st March. 
 
 DATE OF LAST CHANGE. 
 
 27th January, 1862; 19th July, 1877; 30th December, 1880; 
 18th April, 1890. 
 
 PRINCIPAL RIVERS IN DISTRICT. 
 Foyle, Roe. 
 
 15. BOUNDARY OF DISTRICT. 
 
 Coleraime. Downhill Boundary to Portrush. 
 
 TIDAL. 
 Between 19th August and 4th February. 
 
 FRESH WATER. 
 Between 19th August and 1st March. 
 
 ANGLING WITH CROSS LINES. 
 Same as for Nets in Fresh Water. 
 
 ANGLING WITH SINGLE ROD AND LINE. 
 
 Between 19th October and 16th March, save Rivers Bann, Maine, 
 Sixmile-water, Moyola, and Ballinderry, between 3 1st October and 
 1st March. 
 
 DATE OF LAST CHANGE. 
 
 15th December, 1856; 31st March, 1871; 23rd August, 1875; 15th 
 January, 1876. 
 
 PRINCIPAL RIVERS IN DISTRICT. 
 Bann. 
 
 16. 
 
 BOUNDARY OF DISTRICT. 
 
 g ,, Portrush to Donaghadee. 
 
 castle. 
 
 TIDAL. 
 
 Between 19th August and 17th March. 
 
 FRESH WATER. 
 
 Same as Tidal. 
 
504 
 
 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 No. and Name 
 of District. 
 
 16. 
 
 Bally- 
 castle 
 continued. 
 
 ANGLING WITH CROSS LINES. 
 Same as for Nets in Fresh Water. 
 
 ANGLING WITH SINGLE EOD AND LINE. 
 
 Between 31st October and 1st February, save in the Bush River, which 
 is between 30th September, and 1st February. 
 
 DATE OF LAST CHANGE. 
 23rd July, 1890. 
 
 PRINCIPAL KIVERS IN DISTRICT. 
 Ballycastle, Glenarm, Bush, Glendun. 
 
 17". 
 
 Dundalk. 
 
 BOUNDARY OF DISTRICT. 
 
 Donaghadee to Clogher Head. 
 
 TIDAL. 
 
 Between Ballaghan Point in Co. Louth, and Donaghadee in Co. Down, 
 embracing all lakes and rivers and their tributaries flowing 
 into the sea between said points, between 15th September and 
 1st April. 
 
 Between Clogher Head and the northern boundary of the mouth of the 
 River Annagassan, Co. Louth, embracing all lakes and rivers, and 
 their tributaries flowing into the sea between said points, between 
 19th August and 12th February. 
 
 From the northern boundary of the mouth of the River Annagassan to 
 Ballaghan Point, and embracing all lakes and rivers and their 
 tributaries flowing into the sea between said points between 30th 
 September and 1st May following. 
 
 FRESH WATER. 
 Between Ballaghan Point in Co. Louth, and Donaghadee in Co. Down, 
 
 embracing all lakes and rivers, and their tributaries flowing 
 
 into the sea between said points, between 15th September and 1st 
 
 April. 
 Between Clogher Head and the southern boundary of the mouth of the 
 
 River Annagassan, Co. Louth, embracing all lakes and rivers and 
 
 their tributaries flowing into the sea between said points, between 
 
 19th August and 1st April. 
 From the northern boundary of the mouth of the River Annagassan 
 
 to Ballaghan Point, Co. Louth, embracing all lakes and rivers, and 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 505 
 
 So. and Name 
 of District. 
 
 17'. 
 
 Dundalk - 
 continued. 
 
 their tributaries flowing into the sea between said points, between 
 30th September and 1st May. 
 
 In the Annagassan, Glyde, and Dee Rivers and their tributaries, 19th 
 August and 12th February. 
 
 ANGLING WITH CROSS LINES. 
 Same as for Nets in Fresh Water. 
 
 ANGLING WITH SINGLE KOD AND LINE. 
 
 In the Upper or Fresh Waters between Clogher Head and the northern 
 boundary of the Mouth of the River Annagassan, and embracing 
 all lakes and all rivers and their tributaries flowing into the 
 sea between said points, 30th September and 1st February. 
 
 In the Upper or Fresh Waters between the northern boundary of the 
 mouth of the River Annagassan and Ballaghan Point, and em- 
 bracing all lakes and all rivers and their tributaries flowing 
 into the sea between said pointu, between 30th September and 
 1st May. 
 
 In the Upper or Fresh Waters between Ballaghan Point and Donag- 
 haclee, between 31st October and 1st March. 
 
 In any Tidal Waters between Clogher Head and the northern boundary 
 of the mouth of the Annagassan River between 19th August and 
 12th February. 
 
 In any Tidal Waters between the northern boundary of the mouth of 
 the Annagassan and Ballaghan Point, between 30th September 
 and 1st May. 
 
 In any Tidal Waters between Bullaghan Point and Donagh;idee, 
 between 31st October and 1st March. 
 
 DATE OF LAST CHANGE. 
 30th October, 1880; 13th December, 1888; 18th November, 1892. 
 
 PRINCIPAL RIVERS IN DISTRICT. 
 Fane, Annagassan, Glyde, Dee. 
 
 17'. 
 
 BOUNDARY OF DISTRICT. 
 Drogheda. Clogher Head to Skerries. 
 
 TIDAL. 
 Between 4th August and 1 2th February. 
 
506 
 
 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 No. and Name 
 of District. 
 
 17*. 
 
 Drogheda- 
 continued. 
 
 FRESH WATER. 
 
 Same as Tidal. 
 
 ANGLING WITH CROSS LINES. 
 Same as for Nets in Fresh Water. 
 
 ANGLING WITH SINGLE ROD AND LINE. 
 Between 1 5th September and 1 2th February. 
 
 DATE OF LAST CHANGE. 
 1st October, 1888 ; 6th December, 1892. 
 
 PRINCIPAL KIVERS IN DISTRICT. 
 
 Boyne. 
 
 NOTE. Pollen Fishing by Trammel Nets in Lough Neagh between 1st Nov- 
 ember and 31st January, both days inclusive. 
 
 NOTE. The 21st Section of the 26th and 27th Vic. C. 114, requires there 
 shall not be fewer than 168 days Close Season in each Fishery. 
 
 WEEKLY CLOSE SEASON. By the 20th Section of the 26th and 27th Vic. C. 
 1 14, no Salmon or Trout shall be fished for or taken in any way, except by Single 
 Rod ami Line, between six of the clock on Saturday morning, and six of the clock 
 on the succeeding Monday morning. 
 
 t Close Season for the capture of Kels by means of any Coghill, Eel, or other 
 Net or Basket work in the eye, gap, or sluice of any Eel or other weir, between 
 the 10th January and 1st July, save in the River Shannon, which is between 31st 
 .January and 1st July, and in all other rivers in the Limerick District between 
 31st December and 1st July in year following, and save in Drogheda District, 
 which is between 30th November and 1st July, and save in the Coleraine 
 District, which is between 10th January and 1st June in each year, and 
 save also in Corrib or (ialway River, which is between the 10th February and 1st 
 July in each year. 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 507 
 
 ANNUAL CLOSE TIME APPLICABLE TO THE SCOTCH SALMON 
 
 RIVERS. 
 
 N.B. Observe that, in the following List, the days fixing the commencement 
 and termination of the Annual Close Time and of the extension of Time for Rod- 
 fishing are, in all cases, inclusive. 
 
 Name of River. 
 
 Annual 
 Close Time. 
 (Both days inclusive.) 
 
 Extension of Time 
 for Rod-fishing. 
 (Both days^inclusive.) 
 
 Add 
 
 Sept. 1 to Feb. 15 
 
 Sept. 1 to Oct. 31 
 
 Aline ... 
 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 
 Alness 
 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 
 Annan ... 
 Applecross 
 
 Sept. 10 to Fel). 24 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 
 Sept. 10 to Nov. 15 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 
 Arnisdale (Loch Hourn) 
 Awe 
 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 
 Aylort (Kinloch) 
 Ayr 
 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 
 Baa and Glencoilleadar 
 Badachro and Kerry (Gairloch) 
 Balgay and Shieldag ... 
 Beaulv ... 
 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 15 
 
 Berriedale 
 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 
 Bervie 
 
 Sept. 10 to Feb 24 
 
 Sept. 10 to Oct 31 
 
 Bladenoch 
 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 
 Broom ... 
 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 
 Brora ... 
 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 
 Carradale (in Cantyre) 
 Carron ... 
 
 Sept. 10 to Feb. 24 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 
 Sept. 10 to Oct. 31 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 
 Clayburn, Finnisbay, Avennan-Geren, 
 Strathgravat, North Lacastile, 
 Scalladale, and Mawrig (East 
 Harris) 
 
 Sept 10 to Feb 24 
 
 Sept 10 to"Oct,31 
 
 Clyde and Leven 
 Conon ... 
 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 
 Aug. 27 to Oct.31 
 Aug. 27 to Oct.31 
 
 Cree . 
 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 
 Au<*. 27 to Oct.31 
 
 Creed or Stornoway, and Laxay (Island 
 of Lews) 
 
 Au" 27 to Feb 10 
 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 
 Creran (Loch Creran)... 
 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 
508 
 
 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 Name of River. 
 
 Annual 
 Close Time. 
 (Both days inclusive.) 
 
 Extension of Time 
 for Rod-fishing. 
 (Both ilays inclusive.) 
 
 Crowe and Shiel (Loch Duich) 
 
 Dee (Aberdeenshire) ... 
 Dee (Kirkcudbright) ... 
 Deveron 
 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 .Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 
 Don 
 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 
 Doon 
 
 Aug. 27 to Feb 10 
 
 Aug 27 to Oct. 31 
 
 Drummachloy or Glenmore (Isle of 
 Bute) 
 
 Sept. 1 to Feb. 15 
 
 Sept. 1 to Oct. 15 
 
 Dunl>eath 
 
 Aug. 27 to Feb 10 
 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 15 
 
 Earn 
 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 
 Eckaig ... 
 
 Sept. 1 to Feb. 15 
 
 Sept. 1 to Oct. 31 
 
 Esk, North 
 
 Sept. 1 to Feb 15 
 
 Sept. 1 to Oct. 31 
 
 Esk, South 
 
 Sept. 1 to Feb 15 
 
 Sept. 1 to Oct. 31 
 
 Ewe 
 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 
 Fincastle, Meaveg, Ballanachist, South 
 Lacastile, Borve, and Obb (West 
 Harris) 
 
 Sept 10. to Feb. 24 
 
 Sept. 10 to Oct. 31 
 
 Findhorn 
 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 10 
 
 Fleet (Sutherlandshire) 
 Fleet (Kirkcudbrightshire) ... 
 Forss ... 
 
 Sept. 10 to Feb. 24 
 Sept. 10 to Feb. 24 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 
 Sept. 10 to Oct. 31 
 Sept. 10 to Oct. 31 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 
 Forth 
 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 
 Fyne, Shira, and Aray (Loch Fyne)... 
 Girvan ... 
 
 Sept. 1 to Feb. 15 
 Sept. K) to Feb 24 
 
 Sept. 1 to Oct. 31 
 Sept. 10 to Oct. 31 
 
 Glenelg 
 
 Aug 27 to Feb. 10 
 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 
 Gour 
 
 A\i" 27 to Feb 10 
 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 
 Greiss, Laxdale, or Thunga ... 
 Grudie or Dionard 
 Gruinard and Little Gruinard 
 
 Halladale, Strathy, Naver, and Borgie 
 Helmsdale 
 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 
 Close time for Kod- 
 fishing, Oct. 1 to 
 Jan. 10 
 Close time for Rod- 
 
 Hope and Polla or Strathbeg 
 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 
 fishing, Oct. 1 to 
 Jan. 10 
 Jan. 11 to Feb. 10 
 and Aug. 27 to 
 Sept. 10 
 
THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 509 
 
 Xame of River. 
 
 Annual 
 Close Time. 
 (Both dates inclusive.) 
 
 Extension of Time for 
 Rod-fishing. 
 (Both dates inclusive.) 
 
 Howmore 
 
 Sept. 10 to Feb. 24 
 
 Sept. 10 to Oct. 31 
 
 Tnchard 
 
 Au" 27 to Feb. 10 
 
 Aug. 27 to Oct 31 
 
 Inner (in Jura) 
 Inver 
 
 Sept. 10 to Feb. 24 
 Au' 27 to Feb 10 
 
 Sept. 10 to Oct. 31 
 Au<*. 27 to Oct 31 
 
 lorsa (in Arran) 
 Irvine and Garnock ... 
 
 Keiuiart ... 
 
 Sept. 10 to Feb. 24 
 Sept. 10 to Feb. 24 
 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 
 Sept. 10 to Oct. 31 
 Sept. 10 to Oct. 31 
 
 Auc. 27 to Oct 31 
 
 Kilchoan or Inverie (Loch Nevis) ... 
 Kinloch (Kyle of Tongue) 
 Kirkaig ... ... 
 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 Aug. 27 to Oct 31 
 
 Kishorn .. ... ... 
 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 
 Aug. 27 to Oct 31 
 
 Kyle of Sutherland ... 
 
 Laggan and Sorn (Island of May) ... 
 Laxford 
 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 
 Sept. 10 to Feb. 24 
 Auo- 27 to Feb 10 
 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 15 
 
 Sept. 10 to Oct. 31 
 Au<* 27 to Oct 31 
 
 Leven . . ... ... 
 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 
 Aug. 27 to Oct 31 
 
 Little Loch Broom 
 Lochy ... 
 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 
 Loch Duich 
 
 Auc 27 to Feb. 10 
 
 Au<* 7 to Oct 31 
 
 Loch Luing 
 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 
 Au". 27 to Oct 31 
 
 Loch Hoag . ... ... 
 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 
 Aug. 27 to Oct 31 
 
 Lossie ... 
 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 
 Luce ... ... ... ... 
 
 Sept. 10 to Feb. 24 
 
 Sept. 10 to Oct. 31 
 
 Lussa (Island of Mull) 
 Moidart . ... ... 
 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 Au". 27 to Oct 31 
 
 Morar 
 
 A\i". 27 to Feb. 10 
 
 Au<* 27 to Oct 31 
 
 Mullanageren, Horasary, and Loch-na- 
 Ciste (North Uist) 
 
 Nairn . ... ... ... 
 
 Sept. 10 to Feb. 24 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 
 Sept. 10 to Oct. 31 
 Au 27 to Oct 31 
 
 Nell, Feochan. and Euchar ... 
 Ness 
 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 Aug. 27 to Oct 15 
 
 Nith 
 
 Sept. 10 to Feb. 24 
 
 Sept. 10 toNov 15 
 
 Orkney Islands (River from Loch of 
 Stenness, &c.) 
 Ormsary (Loch Killisport, Loch Head, 
 and Stornaway Mull of Cantire) 
 
 Penygowan or Glenforsa and Aros . . . 
 
 Sept. 10 to Feb. 24 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 
 Sept. 10 to Oct. 31 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 
510 
 
 THE SALMON FLY. 
 
 Name of River. 
 
 Annual 
 Close Time. 
 (Both elates inclusive. ) 
 
 Kx tension of Time for 
 Rod-fishing. 
 (Both dates inclusive.) 
 
 Resort 
 
 Au 27 to Feb 10 
 
 Aug 27 to Oct 31 
 
 Ruel 
 
 Sept 1 to Feb 15 
 
 Sept 1 to Oct 31 
 
 Sanda . . 
 
 Au<* 27 to Feb 10 
 
 AU" 27 to Oct 31 
 
 Scaddle 
 
 Au< 27 to Feb 10 
 
 Au- 27 to Oct 31 
 
 Shetland Islands (River of Sandwater, 
 &c.) 
 
 Sept 10 to Feb. 24 
 
 Feb. 1 to Feb 24 
 
 Shiel (Loch Shiel) 
 Sligachan, Broadford, and Portree 
 (IsleofSkye) 
 Snizort, Orley, Oze, and Drynoch (Isle 
 of Skye) 
 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 Au<* 27 to Feb 10 
 
 and Sept. 10 to 
 Nov. 15 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 Au 27 to Oct 31 
 
 SDCV 
 
 Aug 27 to Feb. 10 
 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 15 
 
 Stinchar ... ... 
 
 Sept 10 to Feb 24 
 
 Sept. 10 to Nov 15 
 
 Tav 
 
 Au 27 to Feb 10 
 
 Jan 15 to Feb 10 
 
 Thurso 
 
 Aug 27 to Feb 10 
 
 and Aug. 27 to 
 Oct. 15 
 Jan. 11 to Feb 10 
 
 Torridon, Balgay, and Shieldag 
 Ueie 
 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 Sept. 10 to Feb. 24 
 
 and Aug. 27 to 
 Sept. 14 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 
 Sept. 10 to Oct. 31 
 
 Ullapool (Loch Broom) 
 Urr 
 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 Sept. 10 to Feb. 24 
 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 Sept. 10 to Nov. 30 
 
 Wick 
 
 Aug. 27 to Feb. 10 
 
 Aug. 27 to Oct. 31 
 
 Ythan 
 
 Sept. 10 to Feb. 24 
 
 Sept. 10 to Oct. 31 
 
 
 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
 
 C. FARLOW & CO., 
 
 Str-and, London, W.C., 
 
 MANUFACTURERS OF HIGH-CLASS 
 
 Special Patterns of Qreenheart Salmon Hods 
 
 Of which we have exact models in Stock, as supplied and made by us lor the following 
 well-known gentlemen. 
 
 MAJOR TRAHERNE . . 17 ft. 4 in., 3 pieces, spliced or ferrule fittings 
 
 1** *t. 
 
 (These Bods are strongly recommended in the volume on " SALMON AND TROUT," of the 
 Badminton Library.) 
 
 G. M. KELSON, ESQ. . . Celebrated " 108," 3 pieces, 18 ft. long. 
 
 (It was with this particular Rod that Mr. KELSON won First Honours when competing for the six 
 different methods of Salmon Fly Casting, at the International Tournament of 1885. The Rod is specially 
 recommended by the Author in this book.) 
 
 W WELLS RIDLEY, ESQ. 3 pieces, 18 ft. (much liked). 
 
 H. CHOLMONDELEY PENNELL, ESQ. A well-known pattern. 
 
 These Rods are made of the choicest logs and bext cammed w<nl obtainable., none being used vnless it has been in 
 
 stock four t/earx. 
 All Rod* are balanced ami constructed at our own factory by the m<tnt experienced and reliable workmen. 
 
 THE "KELSON" PATENT SILENT ALUMINIUM SALMON WINCH, 
 
 HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, ride Chapter VI. 
 
 * * 
 
 ,41'lics a 
 
 MATERIALS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION FOR DRESSING SALMON FLIES 
 
 KEPT IN STOCK. 
 
 INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES EXHIBITION, 1883: 
 
 6 PRIZE MEDALS, (i DIPLOMAS OF HOXOUR, AM. 
 SPECIAL MONEY PRIZE FOR BEST COLLECTION OF RODS. 
 
 PRIZE MEDAL, 1862. 
 
 Catalogue containing upwards of ISO Illustrations Gratis. 
 
 C. FARLOW & CO., LIMITED, 191, STRAND, LONDON, W.C 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
 
 TIEilE 
 
 LONDON SHOE COMPANY. 
 
 GRAIN LEG BLACKING 
 
 CALF GOLOSH, 
 
 Kxtra Stout Soles, 
 
 18/8, 28/e 
 
 CALF KID BLACKING 
 LKATHER GOLOSH, 
 Leather Lined, 
 Good Sole, 
 
 TAN CALF, 
 
 KKAL RUSSIA, 
 
 Hand Sewn, 
 
 SO/- 
 
 PADDOCK BOOT, 
 
 Blacking Calf, 
 
 Leather Lined, 
 
 Stout Sole, 
 
 CALF KID LK<; 
 BLACKING LEATHER 
 
 GOLOSH, 
 Hand Sewn, 
 
 259 
 
 KID LEG BLACKING 
 LEATHER GOLOSH, 
 
 10/e 
 
 WATERPBOOFINO-. Customers' own Boots (either new or old) can be rendered thoroughly 
 wate rproof in twelve hours by our new patented process, at a cost of 2s. per pair. 
 MILITABY OUTFITS SELECTF.D FROM STOCK. 
 IMMENSK STOCKS ARE KEPT OK FISHING, SHOOTING, AND HUNTING BOOTS. 
 
 Term* Cash icith nnler. Carriage j'alil nn British Irttri- o, ,;,,. Write for I'ric; List containing SU> illustration*. 
 
 City Warehouse 228 & 239, QUEEN VICTORIA STREET, B.C. 
 Branch Warehouse 116 & 117, NEW BOND STREET, W. 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
 
 Ill 
 
 LONDON SHOE COMPANY 
 
 WHOLESALE BOOT FACTORS. SINGLE PAIRS SOLD. 
 
 MAKERS TO 
 H.E.H. THE DUCHESS OF YOKK, 
 
 AND 
 
 H.E.H. THE CEOWN PEINCE OF GEEECE. 
 
 LARGEST STOCK OF SPORTING BOOTS IN EUROPE. 
 
 THE 
 "SPRINGFIELD" BOOT 
 
 (Patented), 
 Highly approved by 
 
 H.R.H. 
 
 THE PRINCE OK WALES, 
 
 Black or Brown 
 
 Cow Hide, 
 
 53/e 
 
 BLACK OR BROWN 
 COWHIDE, 
 
 Best Hand Sewn, 
 
 GRAIN A SCOTCH HIDE 
 JSHOOTING BOOT, 
 Best Hand Made, 
 SO/- 
 
 REAL WHALE SKIN 
 SHOOTING BOOTS, 
 
 Hand Made, 
 The best boot 
 possible to make, 
 31/ 
 
 City Warehouse-228 & 229, QUEEN VICTORIA STREET, E.G. 
 Branch Warehouse-116 & 117, NEW BOND STREET, W. 
 
IV 
 
 ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
 
 RICE BROTHERS, 
 
 INVENTORS AND PATENTEES OF THE 
 
 "WEST BURY" 
 
 Fishing, Shooting, or Golfing Coat. 
 
 Pronounced by every Sportsman who has seen it to 
 
 be the most practical and perfect invention of its 
 
 kind. (lirg. Xo. 13.S89.) 
 
 From "Horse ami Honrd" 
 
 It makes a wonderful difference to one* comfort and 
 shootine if f you can get a coat that reallv suits you, and I must 
 say th;it, with a (fowl deal of oxporiano* in field sjxtrts, I have 
 never worn so good a shooting coat as the * Westlmrr,' invented 
 ly Rice ISrothers, of Bond Street. It is a kind of Norfolk 
 jacket, with pleats that expand or not, uoocdtO| to th- move- 
 ments of the arms and body, and tho e<>nsequfin-t? is there i 
 absolute frvadqm eromrben, ami I am sure ;m\vn;- ifiviiw one of 
 thesu coats a trial will swcv.r hy them in the same way that 1 do." 
 
 DRIVING COATS, TATTERSALL VESTINGS. 
 
 NEW AMD SELECT PATTERNS IS 
 
 GCOTCH TWEEDS AND REAL 
 
 HARRIS AND SHETLAND HOMESPUNS, 
 
 For Touring, Shooting, Riding, Fishing Suits, and 
 
 COLONIAL OUTFITS. 
 
 23, NEW BOND STREET, LONDON, W, 
 
 HOLBROW & co., 
 
 MANUFACTURERS OF 
 
 First-Class Fishing Hods and Tackle. 
 
 SAL/AON FLIES & FLOATING TP X OUT FLIES. 
 
 8' oz. Ci'eertKcort Fly Rods. TERFECT i.v BALANCE. 
 !& THE NEW TROUT REEL FOR DRY FLY FISHING. -=^ 
 
 Holbrow's double-tapered Trout Lines 30 and 40 yards, for 
 
 Dry Fly Fishing. 
 
 
 SOLE MAKERS OF CRAWSHAY'S PATENT FISH LANDER. 
 KELSON'S ENAMELLED SALMON LINE. 
 
 OO- 3 
 
 40, DUKE STREET, ST. JAMES'S, LONDON. 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
 
 EATON & DELLER, 
 
 ESTABLISHED OVEE TWO CENTUEIES AT 
 
 6 & 7, CROOKED LANE, LONDON, EC, 
 
 (tome an3 
 
 4 SPLIT CANE RODS* 
 
 * 
 
 ' .A.:R,E 
 
 * * * AND USED BY THE LEADING ANGLERS OF THE DAY. * * * 
 
 SPLIT CANE TROUT RODS, from 330 
 
 Ditto SALMON RODS, from 660 
 
 of Salmon and Trout Lines, tapered and straight, dressed 
 with pure boiled linseed oil under air pump, as recom- 
 mended by Mr. Halford, &c., &c. 
 
 Salmon and Trout Flies, Casts, etc., of every description. 
 
 + ^ 
 
 THE LARGEST STOCK IN LONDON FROM WHICH TO 
 SELECT, OF BEST QUALITY OOOOS ONLY. 
 
 CATALOGUES WITH OVER 100 ILLUSTRATIONS GRATIS. 
 
 2 
 
VI 
 
 ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
 
 See the Field, 
 April 3rd, 1886. 
 
 Improved BUCKLAND" Waterproof 
 
 Fishing & Shooting 
 JACKETS, 
 
 Practical in every detail, has 
 our improved wind and rain 
 cuffs in the sleeves, storm-fly, 
 cau be shortened quickly for 
 deep wading, etc. , etc. ; with the 
 
 addition of our noted 
 
 "BAILEY" RIDING APRON 
 
 makes an excellent Riding 
 
 Waterproof. 
 
 ERSONS' LIGHT-WEIGHT SUMMER 
 WADING TROUSERS AND STOCKINGS, 
 
 With single or double feet, made in our No. 3 Gold Medal quality. Intended for 
 Light Summer Wear, and will be found a boon to the Angler who has to walk 
 some distance to his fishing, and to all those that 
 cannot stand heavy and cumbersome waders. 
 
 NEW 
 
 SANDEMAN " 
 
 FISHING 
 
 Ent. Sta. Hall. 
 
 BROGUES 
 
 Can be confidently recommended for the very 
 hardest wear, quite a new cut, design, unit fas- 
 tening, so that they are very easily and quickly put 
 on or off, have sandproof tongues and patant fas- 
 tenings instead of the usual strapping which so often 
 comes to grief with the water. 
 
 NOTE ADDRE8S- 
 
 OXLY TO BE HAD FROM 
 
 ANDERSON, ANDERSON, & ANDERSON, LTD, 
 
 THE ANGLERS' WATERPROOFERS, 
 
 37, QUEEN VICTORIA STREET, LONDON, E.G. 
 
 ( ALL AMI INSPECT OUR MAXV SPECIALITIES AXI) SPLEMHIi STOCK. 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
 
 Vll 
 
 CELEBRATED 
 
 COMBINATION WADERS. 
 
 The New Solid Built " Buckland " Waders. 
 
 These Waders are most practical in every wy, 
 mnnuiactnred only of the very best nmteriiOs, and 
 will wear splendidly, weight about 6} Ibs. 
 
 The " Hampshire " Waders. 
 
 Speciality Lightness. Weighing about 3 Ibs. 
 Comfori^ule and, considering their lightness, are durable. 
 
 The " Devonshire " Waders. 
 
 Speciality Price, combined with durability. Weighing 
 aboat 5 Ibs., specially strong and durable for the 
 extremely low price. 
 
 ANDERSONS' 
 
 NEW 
 
 "SILVERBURN 1 
 WADERS, 
 
 Knee Waders with exten- 
 sions to pull over the 
 knees at pleasure. 
 
 FOB USE IX 
 
 Mountain Burns, 
 Shallow Kivers, 
 Lake Shore Fishing, etc. 
 
 ANDERSONS' 
 
 NEW 
 
 "PIKE" BOOTS, 
 
 AS SUGGESTED AXD USED BY 
 
 B. B. MABSTON, ESQ. 
 
 WARM, 
 
 WATERPROOF, 
 COMFORTABLE, 
 WILL NOT SUP. 
 
 All Pike Anglers should wear 
 them. 
 
 OTE ADDRESS- 
 
 ONLY 1O BE HAD FROM 
 
 ANDERSON, ANDERSON & ANDERSON, LTD, 
 
 THE WATERPROOF MANUFACTURERS, 
 
 37, QUEEN VICTORIA STREET, LONDON, E.G. 
 
 CALL AND INSPECT OUK MANY BPEI'IAUT1E3 AND SPLENDID STOCK. 
 
Vlll 
 
 ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
 
 J. C. CORDING & Co.S 
 
 WADING 
 TROUSERS 
 
 FISHING 
 STOCKINGS 
 
 FISHING 
 BROGUES 
 
 FISHING 
 GOATS 
 
 FISHING 
 BOOTS 
 
 FISHING 
 
 BAGS 
 
 AND EVERY WATERPROOF REQUISITE FOR THE ANGLER. 
 
 Improvements from suggestions of practical Fishermen, and the exprricnce of 
 
 many years. 
 
 THE "FIELD" aa long ago as 1870 remarked of our goods: "As regards quality, 
 they have been too long before the public to fail in that respect." 
 
 Only Address: 19, PICCADILLY, corner of AIR STREET, W. 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS. IX 
 
 1814), 
 
 Billiard Tables 
 
 , 
 
 Sale appointment to $tr $tnjsstti. ^Bn appointment to ij.U.H). (The |)rinci of (KSnlcs. 
 
 VHHE Parent House of the Traile and Patentees or introducers of all the chief improvements 
 ^- in connection with Billiard Tables* from the Slate Bed and the India Rubber Cushions 
 early in the present century, to the Patent " Adamant " Block, " Perfect " Low, Cold, 
 Resisting Cushions, and Improved Double Ring Bottomless Pockets, now in general use. 
 
 PATENT "ADAMANT" BLOCK, 
 
 " Renders the Cushions fast and noiseless." W. J. PEALL. 
 
 "PERFECT" LOW CUSHIONS. 
 
 " Your Cushions are simply perfect." JOHN ROBERTS (March, 1885). 
 
 " Your ' Perfect' Low Cushions are unequalled." W. .1. PEALL (November, 1890). 
 
 The above, with our Bottomless Pockets, can be fitted to any 
 
 Billiard Table. 
 
 THURSTON & CO., 
 
 W, gtthirbte $fpet, J/W/, If-S 
 
 PRICE LISTS AND ESTIMATES POST FREE. 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
 
 CO., 
 
 Gun and Rifle Manufacturers. 
 
 1736. 
 
 These Guns are made in 
 our Workshops in London, 
 and are of the highest 
 class of workmanship. 
 
 Barrels of Steel made to our own 
 specification; also best Damascus 
 Whitworth Steel 
 if desired. 
 
 This Gun will be found to contain 
 all the latest improvements in the ejector 
 
 anil lock mechanism. In addition to the ordinary double bite on the lumps it has 
 our Patent Top Connection with Vertical Bolt, adding greatly to its strength for nitro 
 powders. 
 
 BORE. 
 Speciality. 
 
 Single and Double 
 
 rel in all bores for 
 
 577 BORE. 
 
 Using large charge of powder, with nickel- 
 covered or soft lead solid bullets, gives 
 enormous shock. 
 
 The nickel-covered bullets are perfect where 
 great penetration is required. 
 
 H. H. \V- 
 
 -, just returned from Africa, writes : 
 
 " With KCjce'.-coctrtd bullets I killed U Bit/aloes ont 
 of l-'i hit, losing only one, u-ounded. And in nearly 
 every case with a single bullet." 
 
 " TltURO, A'OB. 18th, UKI.'i" 
 
 BALL AND SHOT GUNS. 
 
 For years past these weapons of our make 
 have proved most successful. 
 
 Sportsmen requiring this combination will 
 find that with ball at 100 yards and shot at 
 40 yards the shooting cannot be surpassed. 
 
 all kinds of game. 
 
 3O3 
 
 A Grea,t 
 
 After numerous and costly experiments we have 
 designed a new Kitting which stands over 10,000 shots 
 per barrel, and gives the greatest accuracy. It is 
 also very easily cleaned. 
 
 Our Patent -303 EXPANDING BULLETS 
 
 are perfect for all kinds of game. 
 
 SKETCH OF BULLETS TAKEN FROM 
 
 IIEI> I>Ki;lt. WILD BOAR. 
 
 The originals we shall have much pleasure in showing 
 sportsmen. 
 
 GUN JFITTZNG. 
 
 With :i specially designed TRY GUN we are able to guarantee, after a visit to our 
 shooting ground, a perpeet fit. 
 
 72, St. James' Street, London, S.W., 
 
 Telegrams : " RIFLING, LONDON." 
 
 and 24, Suffolk Street, Dublin. 
 
 PIUCE LISTS FBEE ox APPLICATION. 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
 
 HIGHEISTXAWAR} 
 
 SAFETY HABITS. 
 
 CAN BE ATTACHED TO LEATHER BREECHES. 
 
 Opinion of the 
 Press. 
 
 " We have lately liad on 
 
 l']'l il! tUmU Of cviminillk' 
 
 tlie Safety Habit made l>y 
 Mr. Shingleton, of 60, New 
 Bond Street, ami must 
 my that it seem* exceed- 
 ingly well calculated to 
 answer I In- end and aim 
 of the Inventor. While 
 it differs entirely from all 
 other Habits that we hare 
 f-ft'ii, it will be noticed, 
 that as the Habit is fast- 
 ened tightly to the inside 
 of each leg, there are no 
 openings in which the 
 crutch can become en- 
 tangled ; so far, therefore, 
 as any Habit can be a 
 safety one, thin peenu us 
 much deserving of the 
 title as any other that hug 
 come to our notice. Then 
 again, the Habit is not 
 an unsightly affair when 
 a lady is dismounted . 
 Ladies who purpose in- 
 vesting in new Habits 
 shoulu certainly look at 
 this one before deciding." 
 The Ficltt, Oct. ac, 18W- 
 
 "Not only is the 'Twin 
 Zenith ' both safe and 
 comfortable for the rider 
 when she is in the saddle, 
 but neat and pretty when 
 she is on foot. The Latly. 
 
 Opinion of the 
 Press. 
 
 "Of all those which 
 have been invented up t" 
 the present time, the 
 'Twin Zenith/ jU-nted 
 by Mr. ShinKlfU.u, of 80, 
 New Bond Street, Is the 
 most ingenious- It is. In 
 fact,aCombinati"n Habit, 
 the skirt and trouw-rs, 
 or knee breeches, being 
 firmly attached to each 
 other, and in the event of 
 an accident, the rider is 
 clean thrown out of the 
 saddle without the most 
 remote possibility of her 
 being dragged." yuwn. 
 
 " It is with genuine 
 
 satinf action that we again 
 bring before our readers' 
 notice ttu> 'Twin Zenith* 
 Habit, whirh we first re 
 oomnundad a year ago. 
 Time and trial. Oil Miivot 
 tetitsof worth, have proved 
 -Mr. Shingh'tcn's inven- 
 tion to be what we antici- 
 pated the best patent 
 Safety Habit that ran be 
 made. We would >u^i -t 
 a visit to 60, Nt-u- Ibnul 
 Street, where Habit and 
 TttttinionialN t-an ln-st'cn." 
 Lundand Ifalrr.NuT.il. 
 
 " The Safety Skirt of the 
 ago." Black unit White. 
 
 ombination Hiding IfaMts 
 
 INVENTOR AND MAKER- 
 
 WILLIAM SHINGLETON, 
 
 60, J<IEW BO^D STREET, 
 
 , W, 
 
XII 
 
 ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
 
 GOLF! GOLF! 
 
 THE ONLY RELIABLE CLUBS IN THE MARKET ARE 
 
 Tlie "SCOT" Golf Clubs. 
 
 Manufactured from the Finest Materials only. 
 
 TRADE 
 
 MARK. 
 
 REGISTERED. 
 
 I MANUFACTURED BYy RENISON & COMPANY, 
 
 V^GOLF CLUB MANUFACTURERS,^ GLASGOW, 
 
 Aiul to be had of ail the leadimj London ff onset, including 
 THE CIVIL SERVICE SUPPLY ASSOCIATION, LIMITED, 135, Queen Victoria Street. 
 THE ABMY AND NAVY CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY, LIMITED, 105, Victoria Street, Westminster. 
 GAMAGE & Co., 126, Holborn, London. 
 JAMES WISBEY & Co., 77, Honndsditch, E.C. 
 DERBY & TOM, High Street, Kensington, W. 
 JOHN BARKKK & Co., LIMITED, High Street, Kensington, W. 
 HABBOD'S STORES, LIMITED, Brompton Street, Park Gate. 
 
 ASK FOE THE "SCOT" GOLF CLUBS. 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
 
 Xlll 
 
 HIGHEST AWARDS THE WORLD. 
 
 ^Hardy's "GOLD MEDAL" Brand 
 Steel Centre Cane Built Kods 
 as made for H.K.H. the late 
 
 & X PRINCE ALBERT VICTOR 
 
 ^T^ \ an d most leading 
 
 ^^ ^ ANBLINGJUTHORITIES, 
 
 Only Makers of 
 THE 'HABDY' CANE BU.LT, 
 'ALNWICK' GEEINHZABT, 
 THE 'PENNELL,' 
 
 'KELSON,' 
 'MARSTON,' 
 ' HI-REGAN,' 
 ' TURLE ' 
 
 " HINTS 
 
 TO ANGLERS & 
 CATALOBUE." 
 
 300 ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 Post Free 3 Stamps. 
 
 ADDRESS : 
 
 LONDON & NORTH BRITISH WORKS, 
 
XIV ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
 
 W, BARTLEET & SONS, 
 
 IRETDIDITOKC, 
 MANUFACTURERS OF 
 
 Tested Dublin, Limerick, Kendal, Round, Sneck and Kirby 
 Hooks for Fly Dressing. 
 
 SFECIALITIE S. 
 
 Patent Serpentanic Bait. 
 
 "Archer" Spinner (Haynes' 
 Patent). 
 
 " Archer " Reel. 
 "Archer" Hooks to Gut. 
 
 Solid Square Plait Water- 
 
 " Archer " Solid Square Plait Taper 
 
 and Double Taper Lines. 
 
 ., Extra Selected Gut Casting 
 
 Lines. 
 
 Flies of every Dressing. 
 Eyed Hooks (TESTED). 
 
 proof Silk Lines. Perm ell's Eyed Hooks. 
 
 PATENT "ARCHER" VENTILATED BAG. 
 LONDON HOUSE:-53, GRESHAM STREET, E.G. 
 
 2O GOLD AND PRIZE MEDALS AWARDED. 
 
 W. BARTLEET & SONS' Goods can be obtained from any Dealer in Fishing Tackle. 
 
 " The very best artificial Bait ever yet invented." 
 
 BROWN'S 
 
 Phantom pnnocus 
 
 (WITH OK WITHOUT OEEN'S PATENT SWIVEL), 
 
 AND EVERY OTHER FIRST-CLASS REQUISITE FOR ANGLING, 
 
 Can be had direct from the Inventor and Maker, or from the best class of Tackle Shops 
 throughout the Kingdom. The "Phantoms" are stamped " W.B." on the Spinners, and all 
 others are inferior imitations 
 
 Send stamp for Catalogue of Bods, Lines, Heels, Flies, Baits, and all kinds of 
 
 Sundries, to 
 
 WILLIAM BROWN, 
 
 64, George Street, ABERDEEN. 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
 
 XV 
 
 Messrs. RED PATH & Co. 
 
 F 
 
 WHOLESALE MANUFACTURERS OF 
 
 ishing Rods, Reels, Lines, 
 
 Flies, Baits, Gaff Hooks, jEX 
 
 AND 
 
 GENERAL FISHING TACKLE OF THE BEST QUALITY, 
 
 FOR RIVER, LOCH & SEA FISHING, 
 
 S / ' J S S 
 
 WORKS, KELSQ-01T-TWEED 
 
 SCOTLAN D. 
 
 /are artem. 
 
 ESTABLISHED UPWARDS OF HALF A CENTURY. 
 Exhibited for the first time at the International Fisheries Exhibition, Edinburgh, 1882. 
 
 GOLD MEDAL and SPECIAL PRIZE for FISHING RODS, &c. ... Edinburgh, 1882. 
 SPECIAL PRIZE for SALMON, GRILSE, and TROUT FLIES ... do. 18S2. 
 
 SPECIAL PRIZE for Materials used in dressing SALMON and TROUT FLIES do. 1882. 
 SILVER and BRONZE MEDALS (Highest Awards) for FISHING RODS I , 
 
 and TACKLE ... ... ] Tynemouth, 1882. 
 
 GOLD MEDAL for WHOLESALE MANUFACTURERS' EXHIBIT ... London, 1883. 
 
 Messrs. Redpath & Co. have NOT Exhibited at any Foreign or Colcnial Exhibition. 
 
XVI 
 
 ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
 
 The only Gold Medal at the London International Fisheries Exhibition for'Gut 
 
 WAS AWAKDEDiTO 
 
 R. RAMSBOTTOM, 
 
 O-TJT IIMIIPOIFlTEiR,, 
 81, MARKET STREET, MANCHESTER. 
 
 Send for Annual G-ut Report and Price List, and secure the benefit of the 
 first choice from more than half of the total crop. 
 
 SOLE 
 
 FOR 
 
 C 
 
 GREG'S "PERFECT" SALMON LINE. 
 
 GENERAL DESCRIPTION. The line gradually acquires the maximum thickness at about 15 yards from 
 the beginning, and continues at this size for 10 yards, when it rapidly diminishes to the size at which it 
 began, and so continues to abont 25 yards from the end, at which point it increases, runs parallel, and 
 diminishes in facsimile of the other end. 
 
 SI 
 
 ~ 
 
 OLD STYLE. 
 
 1st, 
 2nd. 
 3rd. 
 4th. 
 
 5th. 
 
 ADVANTAGES CLAI1VIED. 
 
 QUALITY OF SI1.K; breaking strain of thinnest end, 45 Ibs. dead weight. 
 
 SPECIAL TAPER, ensuring a much longer cast with less effort. 
 
 A SMALLER REEL accommodates a longer line. 
 
 WATERPROOFING, effected during process of plaiting ensuring its being permanently 
 
 impervious to water, even after all surface is worn off. 
 THE PERFECT SATISFACTION given wherever used. 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
 
 XV 1 
 
 THE Moscjwp PATENT REEL. 
 
 Without Drag. 
 
 at ... ice 
 
 3 ... 12 
 
 3* 
 
 PRICES. 
 
 With Drag. Weight. Without Drag. 
 
 12/6 ... SOZ. 
 14 6 ... 7 
 17/6 ... 10 
 
 Sent on approval on receipt of P.O. 
 
 With Drag. Weight. 
 
 as/- 
 
 35/- 
 
 22 
 
 32 
 
 J. B. MOSCROP, 25, Market Place, Manchester. 
 
 Advantages of the Reel. 
 
 Framework, without Screws, being in one casting ; can be 
 taken to pieces and put together again in ten seconds by the 
 fineers alone. 
 
 Only one Plate on handle side instead of three, consequently 
 no liability to a host of mishaps Rod plate Axed to solid 
 castin? , no possibility of any shake. 
 
 Holds line to the full diameter (nearly) ; a 3 In. reel holds 
 as much as an ordinary 3; in. 
 
 Is ventilated ; has an adjustable drag to the 3{ In. and 
 upwards with or without to the small sizes. 
 
 Strength, simplicity. In case of accident, can get at the 
 
 Every reel thoroughly examined and tested by the 
 patentee, J.B. Moscrop, before sending out. 
 
 Disadvantages of Ordinary Reel. 
 
 Screws becoming loose ; nick In head of screw getting 
 worn ; tedious work of taking to pieces. Reel Plate 
 getting shaky. 
 
 Plates becoming bent sand getting In ; rivet of handle- 
 pin rubbing against Inner plate, causing unequal drag. 
 
 Holds line only to the cross bars. 
 
 The complicated and delicate work make it liable to get 
 out of order. 
 
 Testimonials. 
 
 49, SPRING GARDENS, MANCHESTER. 
 
 DEAR SIB, " I have worked your reel thro 1 the Mason 
 without a hitch. I look on it as most reliable reel I ever 
 hail."- Yours faithfully, U. * BRENAN. 
 
 BURY ST. EDMUND. 
 
 DEAR SIB, "The trial reel you sent me in the spring has 
 done its work splendidly, and given me uninterrupted 
 satisfaction the simplicity of its construction, and its 
 ventilating powers, place it far beyond any other reel I 
 have ever used, while the advantage of being able to take 
 it to pieces in a few secon is, without the aid of any 
 mechanical appliances, is untold. -Yonr^trul^, Ki ^ v 
 
 OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE CLUB, PALL MALL. 
 DEAR SIR," I have found the Moscrop Heel satisfactory 
 In every way. The check on my particular reel IB a trifle 
 easy for the large trout in Hampshire, but the adjustable 
 drug obviates this."-Yours faithfull 
 
 RUTHERFORD LODGE. ROXBURGHSHIRE. 
 
 DEAR SIR, " Your reel has stood exceptionally well, and 
 shows no sign of weakness. The adjustable drag works 
 admirably. Should you like a testimonial I would have 
 pleasure in bending one. as I consider ?" 
 the market. 1 Yours truly, 
 
 61, FOUNTAIN STREET, MANCHESTER. 
 
 DEAR SIR." So far from finding faults In your reel, my 
 opinion is that It Is as near perfection as human skill can 
 attain. 'Yours faithfully, T. 8. TURMBULL. 
 
 FRANEBY, NK. BIRKENHKAD. 
 
 DEAR SIR, " I have pleasure in expressing my satisfaction 
 with the reel you supplied to me last spring. There is no 
 suggestion I can make as to its improvement. The reel la 
 In perfect order after having had a good cleaning and 
 the end of the season (a very easy matter with your oiling 
 at patent). Yours truly, JOHN Bt'SHBY. 
 
 CHELTENHAM. 
 
 DEAR SIR," Your reel has given me the greatest satis- 
 faction. After real hard wear, it is as good as It was on the 
 day you sent it." Yours truly, L. W. 8COTFORD. 
 
 DEAR MOSCROP, * By the way. anent the winch I. 
 until', were trolling in the pass (Brander) deep down 10 to 
 12 feet chance for a ferox 60 yards of line out, there was 
 a stiff westerly, and when we neared the open the boat 
 began to pitch and the winches to click at each lurch, a 
 turn at the adjustable drag set mine right but P. had to 
 haul in to lessen the pull. You ought to impress on every- 
 body to clean and oil two or three times a season, it does 
 not take a minute and the winch is very grateful. It won't 
 do for spinning, it is not in it with Mullock *, but for fly, I 
 like it better than any I nave, and I could set up a shop." 
 
XV111 
 
 ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
 
 THE " KELSON ' ENAMELLED SALMON LINE. 
 
 t Double -Tapered Facsimile of the celebrated '' RIDLEY ' line. Finished under the Air Pump on tho " Kelson " principle. 
 t These Lines are perfectly Solid, Flexible, and Hmooth, and are made in four sizes, of the Purest Silk, 4i yards in length. 
 
 Sole Manufacturers M. CARSWELL & CO., 
 
 90, MITCHELL STREET, GLASGOW. 
 
 To be obtained retail through any Fulling Tackle Dealer. 
 
 N9I. 
 
 
 f/93. 
 
 NS. 
 
 [We perfectly remember the " UIDLK v " line which was, however, never in such general use as its sterling qualities 
 deserved. Wiui Mr. IUDLF.Y it was a labour of tove, and he was never so happy as when presenting his own intimate friends 
 with specimens of his favourite hobby. Having carefully examined the line submitted for our inspection, we can confidently 
 endorse the opinions of our correspondent, Mr. GRANT. No such line has ever been on the market before, and, although we 
 know how hard it is to reach finality in this age of rapid improvement, we are not afraid to hazard the prediction that no 
 better line than this will be seen out in our time at least. It can be procured in forty-two yard lengths, double tapered, so that 
 after splicing it to the back line, it can be turned. Anglers who have from time to time in our columns made complaints of 
 the quality of the material used In the manufacture of Casting Lines, may now rest assured that in future they can become 
 possessed of a salmon line at once suited to their purpose, and also to be had at a moderate figure. ED. Lund and Water.} 
 
 THE PATENT~ PHANTOM-DEVON BAIT. ] 
 
 JHCTHE chief object achieved by the PHANTOM-DEVON is the uniting in one all the special advantages of the two well-known 
 -,-* 11 and deservedly popular Baits which &o to compose its name. 
 
 The PHANTOM-DEVON* has all the appearance and flexibility of the ordinary Phantom, but as the Hooks lie much closer 
 into the body of the Bait, the spinning power is largely increased. It resembles the Devon as regards the Bait freeing itself 
 from the mounting and running up the Line, this feature of the New Bait is sure to add to its durability, and will render the 
 work of unhooking a fish much easier 
 
 The sizes are the exact same ae the ordinary Phantom. 
 
 Cart be obtained through any Fishing Tackl- Dfahr. 
 
 Manufactured by M. CARSWELL & CO., 
 
 THE TKADE ONLY SUPPLIED.] 90, MITCHELL STREET, GLASGOW. 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
 
 XIX 
 
 PATENT 
 
 POCKET 
 
 BINOCULAR 
 
 . :.i - sliimii open. It IK InRtaiit.y aillu<*lul>le 
 to any HlKlit or IOCUM. 
 
 Glass closed. Only one inch in thick 
 
 most handy for the waistcoat pocket. 
 
 Among kuudredt of Testimonial! received from iliitimjiiinhed peoj/le all over the world, there 
 ii room here for only a reryfeic ' 
 
 LORD NELSON writes as follows : " I 
 am much pleased with your Binocular. 
 It is light, compact, easy of adjustment, clear 
 and extensive in its field of vision." 
 
 THE EARL OF LONSDALE writes. 
 " Mr. Aitchison's Patent Pocket Binoculars 
 are satisfactory in every way, and answer 
 their purpose well." 
 
 THE RIGHT HON. W. E. GLADSTONE, 
 M.P., writes : " I am pleased to turn to 
 account a work of such beautiful construction 
 as your Patent Pocket Binocular Field 
 Glass." 
 
 " Works admirably, and very satisfied 
 with it," writes S. HANSEX, Esq., Stavanger, 
 Denmark. 
 
 " Binocular is all I expected, it brings out 
 objects solid and clear, and it is light and 
 portable." C. G. WATSON, Esq., Poonah 
 Lodge, Cadman. 
 
 " The Patent Pocket Binocular is a most 
 ingenious article. The lenses arc excellent, 
 the whole instrument in fact is a combination 
 of excellency, lightness, and cheapness. It 
 is much admired, and \vill soon become 
 popular in S. Africa I am sure," writes 
 NOURSE VARTY, Esq., Stag Stones Estates, 
 Natal, S. Africa. 
 
 " Compliments to Messrs. Aitchison, and 
 beg to say that the Binoculars arrived safely, 
 and give satisfaction," writes Miss MULI.INS, 
 Bungalore, India. 
 
 Pxice 3 : 3 : O, in soft leather case; bard leather case with sling, 5s. extra. 
 
 Post Free to any part of the World. 
 
 AITCHISON & Co., 47, FLEET ST., & 6, POULTRY, LONDON, E.G. 
 
XX 
 
 ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
 
 19 IPIFIIZE IMHEID-A-LS 
 
 GEO. WRIGHT & Co., 
 
 Billiard Table Manufacturers, 
 
 MERCHANTS AND SHIPPERS, 
 158 to 164, 
 
 Westminster 
 Bridge Road 
 
 West End Show Booms 
 and Billiard Hall 
 
 7, Argyll Street, 
 
 Regent Street, W. 
 
 Hi/ Special Appointment tc 
 
 U.lt. II. The Prince of Wale*, and the 
 
 * Leaditig Cvtirts of Europe. o 
 
 SHOW ROOMS, 
 
 And Stock of 
 
 a> _. 
 
 Maters to H.R.H. The Duke of York, 
 
 H.M. Government, 
 War Office, and Aimiiilty. 
 
 IN THE WORLD. 
 
 ORIGINAL INVENTORS AND SOLE MAKERS OF 
 
 (t 
 
 THE PATENT Low EXCELSIOR" CUSHIONS. 
 
 Guaranteed soft in any temperature and fast. 
 
 NEOTERIC BILLIARD -DINING TABLE 
 
 (Geo. Wright & Co.'s Patent.) The must perfect and the best Combination Table ever invented. 
 
 Handsomely lllii-ir.il.il <'iitiilgnr '.'"" ptme> Torwanleil l'o*t I i. . on nupllrnllmi lo iin.v 
 
 of flic World. 
 
 SEVERAL SECOND-HAND BILLIARD TABLES IN STOCK EQUAL TO NEW AT LOW PRICES. 
 
 DONZOLINE BILLIARD BALL 
 
 Price (for 2^ inch) 10s. 6d. per Ball; other sizes in proportion. 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
 
 XXI 
 
 BILLIARDS 
 
 THOROUGHLY' TAUGHT (H THIXTBEX PRIVATE 
 
 JOSEPH BENNETT^ Retired Champion, 
 
 The BLENHEIM RESTAURANT, 94, NEW BOND STREET, W. 
 
 (20 Years at 283, Oxford Street, W.) 
 
 In case of Removal, for Address 
 see " Sportsman" daily. 
 
 Read " Bennett on Billiards." 
 
 -> 
 
 JOSEPH BEXXETT INVESTED THE MACHINE FOR TEACHIXG BILLIARDS, AXD HAS 
 
 BEEX GIVIXG LESSORS FOK THIRTY YEARS. 
 
 He always studies the convenience of Pupils as regards the hours for giving Lessons. 
 He attends at Gentlemen'* Ilrnitex to give LeHttons or to play at Private Entertainment*. 
 
 PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ROOMS. 
 Tables by Messrs. G. WRIGHT & Co., London, fitted with their famous Low Excelsior Cushions. 
 
 Private Address: 27, SOUTH 1VIOLTON STREET, TUT. 
 
 A Telegram received from the Author of " THE SALMON FLY " in KM i here appended by comtriit. 
 To JOSEPH BENNETT. 
 
 "I won the Match. Col. R scored 82 twice. My best break 111; and I attribute my success 
 
 entirely to your patient instruction." " KELSON." 
 
XX11 ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
 
 THE ONLY GOLD MEDAL FOR SALMON RODS 
 
 AWARDED AT THE 
 
 FORREST & SONS, 
 
 KELSO, N.B.; 
 
 [umiKichircr? of finest J^o&s anb ^.ae^fe. 
 
 *>*>'"*^^<*''*''*'*'"*'*<*>^^^*'^^^<*><^^'^'^'^'^^ 
 
 SALMON ' RODS J In Greenheart, Hickory, or other Material. 
 
 f _ T>/ - TTr _ O/-V1-VO t KOD8 BCILT T0 ORDER TO ANT PATTERN. 
 
 1KUU 1 rfvJlJo ^^^^^__ 
 
 SPINNING RODS SPECIALITIES. 
 
 f Tin- <>i ii i M i.i.it i:oi> Tin- i <ii:i:i - i KOl>. 
 
 TARPON RODS . ih< < t-iii <<M 11 i:i> The KKKSS KOI>. 
 
 SALMON FLIES J ALL STANDARD PATTERNS. 
 
 i Special Patterns to Order on Shortest 
 
 GRILSE FLIES J Notice. 
 
 TROUT FLIES * Gut Loops, Metal Eyed, or on Single Gnt. 
 
 SALMON CASTS! Strongest Salmon Casts. 
 
 Strongest Salmon Casts specially selected. 
 
 GRILSE CASTS 
 
 Grilse, Sea-Trout, Lake Trout, and River Trout 
 II degrees of streng 
 rcry best quality. 
 
 TROUT CASTS * Casts ' in al1 degrt ' es f St . ren 9 th < and f 
 
 EEQUISITES^ OF EVEEY KIND. 
 
 ILLUSTRATED DESCRIPTIVE I'JiICK LIST OA" APPLICATION. 
 
 FORREST& SONS7KELSO, N.B. 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
 
 XX111 
 
 f\r( of 
 
 (5th EDITION) 
 By CHARLES LANCASTER. 
 
 An Illustrated treatise on "THE ART OF SHOOTING," with 
 
 extracts from the best authorities, combining full-page 
 
 explanatory illustrations from instantaneous and 
 
 other photographs. 
 
 Th- Field. " Supplies what has long been a 
 
 desideratum." 
 The Tlnieti. ' Really one of the most practical 
 
 books on the subject we remember to have met." 
 Sporting Lift. "Well illustrated and highly in- 
 structive." 
 Si-olninn. "Is likely to prove of practical 
 
 service." 
 
 Shooting Time*. "Is brimful of practical hints." 
 Horning Post. "This treatise is likely to prove 
 
 acceptable to many." 
 
 4ir;i|tli jr. "Contains a deal of good advice." 
 St. James's ;azette. " Passes in review every 
 
 kiml of shot that can present itself." 
 Army nnd -Vavy Gazette. " A generally useful 
 
 book." 
 Roil and linn. " Always entertaining as well as 
 
 instructive." 
 Dally Telegraph." It isji well written and reliable 
 
 handy guide, and is worthy of careful study." 
 
 1 rli- hi IT Font. "A useful and well illustrated 
 treatise. 
 
 Dully <'lironlele. "Mr. Lancaster goes patiently 
 over the minutest points." 
 
 Illustrated London \r> "Experts would be 
 first to praise for the pains taken to explain 
 simple principles and to illustrate details." 
 
 The 4'rltle " Should be perused by all sportsmen 
 desirous to become good shots." 
 
 Blai-k wood's " A very useful book . . . which 
 will be serviceable to many." 
 
 Bazaar. "The instructions are the most valuable 
 that have ever been placed before the public." 
 
 British Truili- Journal " Ought to be read by 
 every sportsman." 
 
 Forre's Sporting Soles "A work that will supply 
 pleasure and profit even to the most skilful 
 gunner, but to the tyro it will be found in- 
 valuable." 
 
 Price 7s. Gel. Postage, 6d. extra.. 
 
 Published by CHARLES LANCASTER, 151, New Bond Street, W. 
 
XXIV 
 
 ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
 
 J. PEEK & SON, 
 
 WHOLESALE, EETAIL AND EXPORT 
 
 Fishing Rod & Tackle Manufacturers, 
 40, GRAYS INJY ROAD, 
 
 19 doors from HOLBORN, LONDON, W.C. 
 
 SALMON 
 
 4d., 6cL, 8d., 
 
 FLIES, 
 
 I/-, 1/3, 1/6. 
 
 Best GREENHEART SALMON HODS, 16, 17, and 18 feet, 2 Tops, Double Brazed, 
 Bronze Fittings, Brazed under Winch Slide, Universal Winch Fittings, Rubl>er Button 
 and Division Bag, 30s. 
 
 Best BRONZED GUN METAL or EBONITE, Revolving Plate, Hardened STEEL 
 CHECK SALMON KEELS, 4 inch 18s., 4J inch 20s. 
 
 Best WATERPROOF Plait SILK SALMON LINE, 12s. 6d. 100 yards. 
 Best SINGLE SALMON CASTS, 3 yards 3s., 4s., 6s. 
 Best TWISTED SALMON CASTS, 3 yards Is. 6d. 
 Best TWISTED SALMON TRACES, 2 Swivels, 9d. 
 TELESCOPIC METAL GAFF, 3 Joints, 11s. 6d. 
 
 Best WADING STOCKINGS, 18s. 6d. 
 
 OLINEA AND VACUUM DEESSED SILK LINES. 
 
 CATALOGUES GRATIS. 
 
 TERMS, CASH. 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
 
 XXV 
 
 F-U&&D, 
 
 68, PICCADILLY, LONDON, W. 
 
 SPORTING WATERPROOFER. 
 
 THE "KsLsotf" COAT 
 
 COOL, LIGHT WEIGHT, t THOROUGHLY 
 VENTILATED. 
 
 SPECIALITIES 
 
 IN 
 
 AND 
 
 YACHTING, SHOOTING AND COACHING WATERPROOFS. 
 
XXVI 
 
 ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
 
 WILLIAM G/cRDEJM, 
 
 Gun. Fishing Rod, Reel & Tackle Maker, 
 
 122!, UNION STREET, ABERDEEN, 
 
 RESPECTFULLY invites the attention of Sportsmen to his Stock of 
 
 FLIES 
 
 The quality of the material and the excellence of workmanship have gained them 
 
 A WORLD-WIDE REPUTATIOI*. 
 STOCK INCLUDES ALL THE STANDARD PLAIN AND FANCY PATTERNS 
 
 ABERDEENSHIRE DEE LOCAL PATTERNS 
 LOCH <& RIVER TROUT FLIES 
 
 For Inverness, Ross and Sutherlandshire, Ireland, and Norway. 
 
 FLY DRESSING TO PATTERN A SPECIALITE. 
 
 i) fejo ^i<53W> Sf 533^^Sgg5^Va>Ti 
 W. G. being a practical Workman as well as Angler of many years' experience, takes 
 particular interest in this department. All Rods are hand-made on the premises. 
 
 AMMUNITION OF 
 
 Cartridges 
 Loaded 
 
 by 
 
 Machinery 
 
 \ Of the 
 
 most 
 
 Modern 
 
 Description, 
 
 Insuring uniform charges and regularity of compression, so very essential to satisfactory Shooting. 
 GTOMXTS, FISHIISra- rtOIDS, <3s TtEEL 
 
 I ^LTTSTRATED PPI3E LIST POST FREE. 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
 
 XXV11 
 
 T. COURTNEY, 
 
 High-class Fishing Tackle Manufacturer, 
 
 A LARGE ASSORTMENT OF SALMON TROUT AND OTHER RODS KEPT IN STOCK. 
 
 Standard Salmon Flies dressed true to pattern. 
 Private patterns for Salmon and Trout made and sent by return of post. 
 
 A lifelong experience of all rivers and lakes, including a practical knowledge of flies best suited 
 
 to Norwegian fisheries. 
 
 The well-known patterns invented by Mrs. COURTNEY (nee 1 KATE DALY 
 dressed in all sizes and forwarded on application. 
 
 BOATS AND TACKLE ON HIRE FOR LOCAL WATERS. 
 
 Highly patronised by the Author of THE SALMON FLY and other leading 
 Salmon and Trout Fishermen. 
 
 THE KII-I.N < II:IM I 
 
 BAIVIBRIDGE. ETON, ENGLAND. 
 
 Only Addrenit itecetatart/ fnnn an;/ part o/ the \\'<n-l<l. 
 
 MAKER OF HIGH CLASS HAND-MADE FISHING TACKLE. 
 
 T ESTABLISHED 17BO. "E 
 
 l-'ln Material and Cabinet* ax xnpjilied the leading Amateur tycrx. Send fur Lijtt. 
 Within five minutes of Windsor Castle anil both Hallway .Stations. 
 
XXV111 
 
 ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
 
 WATEKPBOOF. 
 
 Boots 
 
 \VATKHPKOOF. 
 
 WEAR FOR YEARS. 
 
 By a special process of our own the leather is tanned and dressed with materials 
 absolutely free from all staining matter. 
 
 IN WEAR CANNOT BE SURPASSED. 
 
 These splendid Shooting and Fishing Boots are made upon new and approved 
 lasts and forms of a specific character unknown in the Trade. 
 
 DESIGN REGISTERED. 
 
 GEO. M. KELSON, ESQ., writes : that his Boots supplied in 1885 
 " are still soft and watertight." 
 
 . , ,. A cash price 28 - 
 
 The "Wye" Boot - _, R ' 
 
 i^ldbb Z> *>/" 
 
 The Ladies' " Wye " Boot 25/- 
 
 The Special Shooting Boot 42 - 
 
 Hatton's " Wye " Waterproof Composition, per box I/- 
 
 HUNTING AND POLO BOOTS, SHOOTING AND GOLFING SHOES, 
 
 And all kinds of Sporting Boots for Home or Colonial wear. 
 
 SEND POE PAETICULAES. FIT GUARANTEED WITHOUT INTERVIEW. 
 
 HATTON BROS. & CO., 
 
 Sportsman s Bootmakers, 
 
 == ZHHEIREIFOIFIID- 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
 
 xxix 
 
 W. T. HANCOCK & Co. 
 
 (KSTABLISHKU 1S37). 
 
 PRACTICAL ANGLERS AND MAKERS, 
 Best Quality Only, 
 
 FISHING HODS, KEELS, & TACKLE. 
 
 The Sole Makers and Patentees of the 
 
 "QUICK-SURE" LANDING NET. 
 
 EKLARCED VIEW OK 
 
 CLOSED 
 
 TESTIMONIALS FROM THE HIGHEST AUTHORITIES. 
 
 MOST PERFECT LANDING NET 
 
 IN USE, 
 
 Complete with Automatic Fitting, J31 : 5 : 0. 
 
 4, PALL MALL PLACE, ST. JAMES'S, 
 
 AND 
 
 308, HIGH HOLBQRN, LONDON. 
 
 The Largest Illustrated Catalogue of Fishing Tackle published, including Valuable 
 Hints and Information to Anglers, post free, 3d. 
 
XXX ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
 
 RODS. 
 
 HARDY 
 
 RODS. 
 
 "GOLD MEDAL" RODS. 
 
 The Field says: "It should never be forgotten that it is to 
 Messrs. HARDY BKOS. we owe the supremacy we have 
 achieved as Rod Makers." 
 
 Highest flwaids in me World, 
 
 THE KELSON " SALMON ROD 
 
 As manufactured by us for the Author of this Book, is the 
 finest type of a 17J to 18 ft. Salmon Rod made. All cane built, 
 
 all improvements. 
 
 Price 11 16s. Si., if with Steel Centre, 12 16s. 6d. 
 
 THE "HI-REGAN" SALMON ROD, 
 
 As made by vis for Capt. DUNNE, Author of " How and Where to Fish in 
 Ireland," is acknowledged a magnificently powerful Bod. It is 16 
 feet, cane built, steel centre. Price J31 0. 
 
 CATALOGUE, 300 ILLUSTRATIONS, FREE (3 Stamps). 
 
 HARDY BROS., 
 
 EDINBURGH BRANCH 5, South St. David Street. 
 MANCHESTER BRANCH :-14, Moult Street, Cross Street. 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
 
 XXXI 
 
 The Biltor PipeMlie_Sportsman's Companion! 
 
 GIVE IT A TRIAL. IT IS CLEAN, HEALTHY, COOL, AND NOT TROUBLESOME. 
 THE ACKNOWLEDGED PIPE OF PIPES. 
 
 Prize TVIednl Chicago Exhibition. 
 
 i: -I Brlur DIM - li ..in 3s. 6cl , .n h. liiclnilliiK u IMIX of :. rnrtrlilgrs, r<>in|>i>sr<l 
 ot a xprrlrs of tiller IIMIHT mill an- [In <>srnlliil in in r 'Ilir Klllor'* snrrrx. 
 
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 The Biltor Co., 93, Oxford Street, London, W. 
 
XXX11 ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
 
 COGSWELL & HARRISON. 
 
 RATCGE FOR GUN KITTING, 
 
 Enclosed, lighted by electricity, and padded to stop all vibration, 
 
 SITUATED AT 
 
 NEW GUN FACTORY, VICTORIA STATION. 
 
 New Tar get # S Flying Jtirdtt, and adjustable Try Gun, can be altered to 
 
 any shape and fired. 
 
 -"Vv Use of Try Guns, Targets, and experienced 
 
 fitter (no charge to customers ordering new guns), 
 obtaining correct fit, with view of alteration to old 
 gun, IDs. 6d. Cartridges and pigeons according to 
 >:"."* number used. 
 
 IBs 
 
 H. H. BAHNES, Esq., Pinner: " Excellent com- 
 bination for testing fit. More than satisfied with 
 INCORRECT FIT. (.'OKKECT FIT. new gun." 
 
 The "AV ANT-TOUT" and The "VICTOR" Self-ejecting- Guns. 
 
 EDGAR HARRISON'S PATENT. 
 
 Cash Prices, 17 Guineas to 50 Guineas ; London made throughout. 
 
 142, New Bond Street ; 226, Strand ; and Factory, 29a, Gillingham Street. London. 
 
 vJAIVIES LORIMER & SON, 
 
 PRACTICAL BOOTMAKERS, 
 
 PALACE BUILDINGS (under Palace Hotel), ABERDEEN. 
 
 ESTABLISHED 184S. 
 
 H- Manufacture all kinds of Boots and Shoes for Sporting purposes, fc- 
 
 Within a reasonable time and at reasonable prices, and they also keep in 
 
 stock, of their own make, a large assortment in the most approved 
 
 styles for immediate selection. 
 
 Shooting Boots, Riding Boots, 
 
 Fishing Boots, Field Boots, 
 
 Dress& Walking Brogues, Polo Boots. 
 
 Livery Boots, 
 Outfits for India, 
 Outfits for Africa. 
 
 SPECIAL ATTENTION GIVEN TO HIGHLAND BROGUES OP EVERY KIND. 
 ESTIMATES AND PARTIC0LAHS FOR SELF MEASUREMENT SENT ON APPLICATION. 
 
 5 PKR CENT. DISCOUNT FOR CASH. 
 Telegrams " Lorimer, Bootmaker, Aberdeen." Telephone 724. 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS. XXX111 
 
 GEORGE HOLLAND, 
 
 MANUFACTURER OF 
 
 FislpgTackle for Salnjon&Trout. 
 
 SPECIALITIES. 
 
 Greenheart Rods of various well-known types. 
 
 THE STANDARD PATTERNS OF SALMON FLIES. 
 
 HOLLAND'S IMPROVED LONG-SHANKED SAL/VION 
 HoOKS, AS SUPPLIED TO p. /VL KEELSON, 
 
 FLOATING FLIES FOR DRY-FLY FISHING, highly 
 
 recommended. 
 
 THE 'KELSON" GAFF AND SHEATH. 
 
 THE FRAIL. 
 
 ALL ORDERS EXECUTED ON THE SHORTEST NOTICE. 
 
 GEORGE HOLLAND, WINCHESTER. 
 
XXXIV 
 
 ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
 
 Kincardine ffffeU f Aberdimshire, 
 
 MANUFACTURERS OF FIRST-CLASS 
 
 Tael^Ie. 
 
 Greenheart and Washaha Rods and Salmon Flies, 
 
 RODS REPAIRED AT SHORT NOTICE, 
 
 The best wood and good workmanship guaranteed. 
 
 STANDARD PLIES D PRESSED TP V UE TO PATTERN. 
 
 / j j 
 
 A Large Stock of New Salmon Gut on hand. Highly recommended. 
 
 WINCHES OF EVERY DESCRIPTION AND ALL OTHER 
 MATERIALS KEPT IN STOCK. 
 
 Wading Trousers, Stockings and Brogues. 
 
 TESTIMONIALS FROM THE LEADING ANGLERS THROUGHOUT THE 
 UNITED KINGDOM. 
 
 W. BLACKX.AW8 & SON. CABLOGJK HOUSK, May, 1S93. 
 
 DEAR SIRS, I am delighted with the Rod, which I have Riven a good trial. If any of your visiting 
 customers should care to have my opinion of your wood and workmanship you may cer'tainlV refer them 
 to me. Yours faithfully, GEO. M. KELSON. 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
 
 XXXV 
 
 MANUFACTURED BY THE 
 
 NORTH BRITISH RUBBER COMPANY, LIMITED. 
 
 Works: Castle Mills, Fountainbridge, Edinburgh. 
 
 A 
 
 Measurements Required 
 
 If ordered thereby. 
 
 Length, A to B Inches. 
 Length, B to C 
 Length, B to E 
 Girth at A 
 
 Girth at T> 1) 
 
 London 57, MOORGATE STREET, E.G. 
 Manchester 69 & 71, DEANSGATE. 
 Liverpool 9, LORD STREET. 
 Leeds 65 & 66, BRIGGATE. 
 Newcastle-on-Tyne 39, GRAINGER STREET. 
 Glasgow 60, BUCHANAN STREET. 
 Edinburgh 106, PRINCES STKEET. 
 
 These Goods IKMMJJ thoroughly vulcanized, arc 
 warranted to remain xnft and pliable although rolled 
 up and laid aside in hot or cold weather in any 
 climate. Unlike the partially vulcanized articles, 
 which require to he warmed before they can be even 
 safely unfolded by the dealer, or safely and comfort- 
 ably put on by the wearer, these Patented Goods can 
 be kept folded for months, then unfolded and im- 
 mediately put on without any risk of injuring the 
 proofing of the cloth, and without any discomfort to 
 the wearer from lumps and ridges at the seams. The 
 seams of these goods are smoother from the first, and 
 there is no chance of ridges being formed in them, as 
 in those with the seams unvulcani/.ed. These advan- 
 tages, combined with the employment of only the 
 very best materials in the manufacture of these 
 articles, give the Company confidence in offering 
 them as unequalled for 
 
 Durability, Comfort & Convenience, 
 
 ALSO MANUFACTURERS OF 
 
 FISHING GAITERS, 
 FISHING SHOES, 
 
 FISHING BOOTS, 
 FISHING BAGS, 
 
XXXVI ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
 
 J. GILLETT & Co., 
 
 40, PETTEELANELOirLOlT, E.C. 
 
 ESTABLISHED OVER 200 YEARS. 
 il-Hrt-rh.tnr-.l^l-'-l-"!- tl infftgTIP- 9 
 
 FIRST CLASS WORK GUARANTEED, & AT LOWEST POSSIBLE PRICES 
 
 GILJLETT*S 
 
 ,-,.,_.! CELEBRATED WHOLE-CANE } 
 
 J rout & Salmon j^ods 
 
 g_O Oil TBOTJT BODS, with Two Tops, Bound Cane Handle, Three or Four 
 
 Joints, price 21s. up to 12 feet. 
 
 SALMON BODS, 16 feet, with Two Tops, price 31s. ; 18 feet, ditto, price 37s. 
 
 English and American Built Cane Trout Rods, 10, 10J, 11, 11 J, and 12 ft., Two Tops, 21s. each. 
 Split-Cane Spinning Rods, Two Tops, Cork Grip, 21s. each. 
 
 TODD'S SAFETY I3U6KLE, 
 
 2s. each, with Strap, Is. extra. 
 
 EXTRA STOUT SALMON GUT LINES, 
 
 In one, two, and three yards, 8d. per yard. 
 Money promptly returned if Goods (not approved of) are returned at once. 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS. XXXvii 
 
 THE OLD "IZAAK" KNIFE 
 
 Contains large blade, small blade, disgorger, 
 button-hook, scissors, tweezers, pliers, cork- 
 screw, leather borer, stiletto (to untie loops), 
 broken-eyed needle to thread prawns, &c. 
 
 FISHING KNIVES OF ALL PATTERNS. 
 Any Knife made to Order in a few days. 
 
 Fishermen's Flasks 
 
 SANDWICH BOXES 
 
 In Silver, Electro-plate and Aluminium. 
 
 THE OLD CUTLER'S (Established 1838). 
 
 S. FISHER, 
 
 188, Strand, 
 London. 
 
 JOHN COOPEB& SONS, 
 
 SPECIALISTS 
 
 sh Counting, 
 
 28, Radnor Street, St. Luke's, 
 
 WINNERS OF FIVE GOLD AND SILVER MEDALS. 
 
XXXV111 
 
 ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
 
 THE OLD ESTABLISHED WEST-END HOUSE FOR 
 
 SALMON FLIES. 
 
 ALL THE 
 BEST PATTERNS 
 
 AND 
 SIZES KEPT 
 
 IN STOCK, 
 
 OR DRESSED 
 
 TO ORDER, 
 
 QUICKLY. 
 
 J. BERNARD & SON, 
 
 5, CHURCH PLACE, PICCADILLY, S.W., 
 
 PRACTICAL MAKERS OF FIRST-CLASS 
 
 FISHING RODS, REELS ANDTACKLE, 
 
 Salmon, Lake, Trout, & American Fly Dressers, 
 
 THE FOLLOWING ABE A PEW OF OUB LEADING LINES I 
 
 BUILT SPLIT CANE SALMON & TROUT RODS. ^ 
 
 ifi GREENHEART SALMON & TROUT RODS. 
 
 TROLLING AND SPINNING BODS AND TACKLE OF ALL KINDS. 
 SEA RODS AND TACKLE IN GREAT VARIETV. WATERPROOF NETS AND BAGS. 
 
 WATERPROOF SILK LINES OF EXCELLENT QUALITY AND FINISH. 
 OUR " SPECIAL " DOUBLE TAPER LINES are the very Best Lines made. 
 
 REELS IN EBONITE, METAL AND WOOD, ALL SIZES AND MAKES. 
 
 SALMON AND TROUT CASTS A SPECIALITY AND SECOND TO NONE ix QUALITY OF GUT. 
 
 Our stock of SALMON FLIES is the most complete and varied in the Trade, and 
 
 includes all the leading patterns for 
 
 ENGLISH, SCOTCH, IEISH, AND NOBWEGIAN FISHINGS. 
 
 ANY PATTERN DRESSED TO ORDER AT SHORT NOTICE. 
 
 ROLLED WINGED TROUT FLIES, SPECIALLY FOR HAMPSHIRE AND HERTFORD WATERS. 
 Printed Salmon and Trout Fly Books in Best Binding*. Fly Books, Fly Boxes and Cases. Tackle Catct. 
 
 PHANTOM, DEVON AND SPOON BAITS, A LARGE STOCK ALWAYS ON HAND. 
 CASES FITTED AND GOODS SUPPLIED FOR ALL PARTS OF THE FISHING WORLD. 
 
 The same address for upwards of Seventy years, 
 5, CHURCH PLACE, PICCADILLY, S.W. 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS. XXXIX 
 
 SOMETHING NEW 
 
 \ 
 
 Garter's Pneumatic Button. 
 
 in. Is. 6d. 2 in. 2s. 
 
 Major Hon. LE POER TBENCH 
 
 Gazette says :_ Best H||K W I le . t invention of its kind I have 
 
 Button we have ever seen." ever aeen ." 
 
 JOHN BICKERDYKE :" Salmon 
 Rod, and Gun :" Should prove a Fishers would find it a great 
 
 boon to the Salmon Fisher." comlort." 
 
 Our SPLIT CANE SALMON HODS are the 
 
 [HCi^ Best in the World, a: ^&'] 
 
 Double-built, Unbreakable, Splint-end Ferrules, Universal Winch Fittings, Snake Rings, 
 Double Cork Handle, Revolving Loops, Spiral Lock Joints, Division Case, 5 5 0. 
 
 Steel Centre, 1 extra. 
 
 Greenheart Salmon Rods, 16 to 18 feet, 
 
 Bronze Fittings, Universal Winch Fittings, Double Brazed in G. Silver, Snake Rings, Rubber 
 
 Button, Division Case, 30s. 
 
 Hardened Gun Metal or Ebonite SALMON REEL, 4 inch, Best Quality, all latest 
 improvements, 20s. Bronze ditto, 12s. 6d. 
 
 SALMON FLIES WITH SPINNING HEADS (Patent), very Killing, from Is. 
 
 Best Silk Salmon Line Waterproof, l|d. yard. 
 Finking Gazette says :" Undoubtedly do one of the Largest Trades in the world." 
 
 $ $ J C-A-T.A.XjOC3-"CTES G-IR,.A.TIS, 5 *S* *$* 
 
 A^i A T5 rn T^ T5 JP^ /"^ ^^ 
 V^X\.XXl J. Jl JIXl O6 VH/V/** 
 
 137, ST. JOHN STREET ROAD, LONDON, 
 
 Near the Angel, Islington, 
 
 Factory-1, 2, & 3, MYDDELTON PLACE. 
 Timber and Cane Stores MERLIN'S PLACE. 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
 
 OGDEN & SCOTFOED, 
 
 FISHING ROD, FLY & TACKLE M ANUFACTUP V ERS, 
 
 19, LEICESTER SQUARE, LONDON, W.C., 
 
 AND AT CHELTENHAM. 
 
 ^ Prize Medalists :-FISHERIES EXHIBITION, 1883. -^ 
 8 International Awards for SALMON and TROUT. RODS and PLIES. 
 
 * 
 
 # SALMON AND 'ROUT FLIES 
 
 * 
 
 ***** 
 
 " -A. 
 
 SPLIT CANE AND WOOD RODS OF ALL KINDS. 
 
 The "Multum in Parvo " Trout Rod ... 1 Is. 
 
 The ' ' J.B." Box (Protected). The most compact Fly and Cast Box 
 for Salmon or Trout Anglers, with place in lid for spare gut, 
 scissors and pliers ... ... 10s., 12s. Gel., 15s. 6d. 
 
 The "Scotford" Box (Protected). The most complete for 
 carrying Baits, Casts, Flies, Tackle, etc., for Salmon and Trout 
 Fishing 12s. 6d., 16s., 17s. 6d. 
 
 THE NEW "IDEAL" MAY FLY (Protected). The most 
 perfect imitation of Nature, highly commended by the most 
 experienced Anglers ... ... ... 6s. per dozen. 
 
 The "Gresham" Sea Rig (Patent). Highly recommended to 
 
 all Sea Anglers. Can be carried in the pocket ... 2s. 6d. each. 
 
 CASES FITTED FOR NORWAY, LABRADOR, INDIA, AND THE 
 COLONIES. YACHTS FITTED. 
 
 N.B. Prices 25 per cent, less than other West-End Houses. 
 
 * * CAT/TLOGUES GRATIS. **<* 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS. xli 
 
 THE BEST ROD. 
 
 "~> 
 
 JOHN BICKERSDYKE (the talented author of flea Fixhiny, Badminton Library series 
 of British Sports), says in Sea Finking, page 212 : 
 
 "The Best Rod for boat work I have yet seen is one which has ben gradually worked out by 
 members of the Cresham Angling Society, with the assistance of Mr. HEMENS, of the New North Road 
 With it leads up to 2 Ibs. can be easily worked. I have even used a 3i Ibs. le<wl with its assistance without 
 much difficulty. It is made in two pieces, and is by no means so stiff as tackle makers generally think it 
 necessary to make Sea Rods. It measures only about seven feet, and I may say here that eleven feet is 
 the outside length of a rod for boat work when ground tackle is used, owing to the great strain which it 
 his to bear : it is fitted at the end and next the reel with a roller apparatus over which the line passes. 
 There are two good arrangements for the rod. One is simply a little block fixed on with wire, anil in place 
 of the ring next the reel there is a metal sheave and two Tittle metal supports into which it is carefully 
 countersunk. Here the friction is considerable, and a roller of some kind is very necessary. The sheave 
 and its supports are shown in the illustration." 
 
 . - PRICES. 
 
 Two joint, or 7 feet long, brazed tongue, flat brass stopper, snake rings, 
 universal winch fitting, countersunk boxwood block, countersunk butt line 
 guide, rubber button, universal winch fittings and leather capped partition 
 bag ...0 16 
 
 Metal-lined under winch locking ferrule 3/- extra. 
 
 The special test dry fly rod, Greenheart, 10 feet, in 3 joints, and 2 tops, brazed 
 tongues, Hat stoppers, metal lined, universal winch fittings, snake rings, 
 revolving end rings, lock-fast fittings and leather-capped partition bag ...1 5 
 
 Fly Rods, 10, 10J, 11 or 12 feet, from, each ... ... ... ...0 10 6 
 
 Best 18 feet, 3 joint Greenheart Salmon Rod, with 2 tops, brazed tongues, flat 
 brass stoppers, metal lined, universal winch fittings, snake rings, revolving end 
 rings, in leather-capped partition bag and rubber button ... ...116 
 
 Not to be equalled anywhere under 2 10 0. 
 
 BEING THE ACTUAL MAKERS we can guarantee these goods as being the 
 very best possible make, and the wood the very best quality, and well seasoned. 
 
 Rods, Lines and Winches of every description kept in stock. 
 
 FLIES DEESSED TO ANY PATTEEN. 
 FISH, BIRDS, &o., PRESERVED AND MOUNTED TO ORDER. 
 
 ^ A. BULMER & Co., *- 
 
 G. W. HEMENS (SUCCESSOR), 
 
 62, WANDSWORTH ROAD, LONDON, S.W., 
 
 Corner of Nine Elms Lane. 
 
 P.O.O. payable 157, Wandsworth Road. All Orders must be prepaid, postage extra. 
 
 Three minutes' walk from Nine Elms Boat Pier and Vauxhall Station, S.W.R. 
 
 A Gossamer Gut Line and 1 dozen hooks to match, Crystal, Roach, Sneck bend or 
 assorted, post-free 1/5. Twisted Gut Traces, with or without lead, I/- each. Japanned 
 Treble Box, for holding casts, traces, hooks, flies, &c., 1/9, post-free 2/-. 
 
 Catalogues Post Free. Baits of every description kept in stock. 
 
xlii 
 
 ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
 
 ISsgSS'g, >E 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
 
 xliii 
 
 T. P. LEE & CO., Ltd., 
 
 S4 3 OOIPTIO STIRIEIET, 
 
 Late 24, DUKE STREET, BLOOMSBURY, W.C. 
 
 
 
 GENTLEMEN'S REAL BUCK GLOVES, Brown, 2 Buttons ...... 5/6, 6*6, Q 
 
 Do. do. Tilbury's Gold Tan Cape, 2 Buttons 5/6, fl/6 
 
 LADIES' REAL BUCK GLOVES, Brown, 4 Buttons, 7/6 ; 6 Buttons ... 8/6 
 
 OFFICERS' REAL BUCK GLOVES, Regulation Pattern, in White, ) ,,, ,-, Qia 
 Brown, or Black. (The Brown and Black are perfectly Fast Dyed.) f '' '/' M 
 
 BREECHES PASTE, 2/6 per Jar. BLEACHING POWDER, 2/6 per Tin ; and COLOR 
 
 BALLS, I/- each, for Cleaning all kinds of Leather and Cord Hunting Accoutrements, &c. 
 CHAMOIS LEATHERS, for Plate Carriages, &c ....... Per dozen 16/- 18/- 21/- 
 
 CRICKET, FIVES, CYCLING, AND LACROSSE GLOVES AND GAUNTLETS, &c. 
 
 %" In ordering, kindly state size of Gloves, and if required for Hunting, Walking, or Driving. 
 
 CONTRACTORS TO THE 
 GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY. 
 
 LITHOGRAPHERS 
 TO H.M. GOVERNMENT. 
 
 & 
 
 , Litd., 
 
 atv3 Saw Stations t, 
 
 PRINTERS, &,c., 
 
 63, 65 & 67, Carter Lane, Doctors' Commons, 
 
 Telephone No. 1838. ^^= T-jOlSTTDOKT., E.G. 
 
xliv 
 
 A.KNOUNCEMENT8. 
 
 ALFRED & SON, LIMITED. 
 
 "OHWICW-COLO-18BI. 
 
 Ry Special Appointment to 
 
 His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, K.G. 
 
 ALFRED'S SPLIT CANE SALMON RODS, 
 
 VERY BEST FINISH, 7 70, 88 0, 9 9 0. 
 
 ALFRED'S SPLIT CANE TROUT RODS, 
 
 VERY BEST FINISH, 4 4 0. 
 
 IMPROVED "HALFORD" DOUBLE TAPER TROUT LINE, 
 30 yards 10s., 40 yards 13s. 4d. 
 
 SPECIALITY i-EXTRA STOUT SINGLE luflALMON CASTS. 
 
 Trout Casts of specially Long and Fine Natural Gut, 
 
 THE KELSON PATTERNS SALMON FLIES. 
 
 THE BRUNTON PATENT GAFF HOOK. 
 IML .A. H S IE IE IK, IROIDS <3z T .A. C IK IL IE . 
 
 JNLY ADDRESS : 
 
 20, 
 
 JYIOORCATE STREET, LONDON, E.G. 
 
ANXorNVKMKXTS. 
 
 xlv 
 
 ABBOTTS' WADEBS 
 
 Gold Medal for Waders, Fisheries' Exhibition, 1883. 
 
 High-Class Goods of Guaranteed Quality. 
 
 Kre>-y attention given to Special Orders. 
 FHIOE LIST FOST FREE. 
 
 IIKST MAKE 
 
 stout ss/e 
 
 Medium 
 
 ie/e 
 
 FISHING 
 
 TROUSERS. 
 BROGUES, 
 
 BAGS, 
 BOOTS, &c. 
 
 WATERPROOF 
 
 FISHING 
 COATS, 
 
 JACKETS, 
 SKIRTS. &c. 
 
 'Baxter" Brogue 
 
 (NEW DESIGN'. 
 
 Kane in fmtting on, owing^ to 
 
 fin- 1' a 'finof litinitli. llnmttff 
 (uldinj tonym 1 * makes them 
 
 2S/- 
 
 an ABBOTTS" 
 
 ASS 
 
 RED HOUSE, 
 
 CHEAp siDE, 
 
 LONDON, B.C. 
 
14 DAY USE 
 
 RETURN TO DESK FROM WHICH BORROWED 
 
 LOAN DEPT. 
 
 This book is due on the last date stamped below, or 
 
 on the date to which renewed. 
 Renewed books are subject to immediate recall. 
 
 J9Feb'57Pf 
 
 SEtfTONILL 
 
 
 jui ?n WK 
 
 ">LD 
 
 U. C. BERKELEY 
 
 - *<M9SB 
 
 
 
 lOSnr'RQk 1 
 
 
 lUApr 09A J 
 
 
 ' . 
 
 
 MAR 2 ? 1959 
 
 
 OCT 1 81981 
 
 
 . - - 
 
 m DEC 1 4 ^ 
 
 A 
 
 jjTD w fcg 
 
 
 JAN 21985 
 
 
 SKCIRC JAN 2 
 
 1 1QQR 
 
 
 LD 21-100m.6,'56 
 (B9311slO)476 
 
 General Library 
 
 University of California 
 
 Berkeley 
 
YE 01 131 
 
 GENERAL LIBRARY -U.C. BERKELEY 
 
 B000131M3S