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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/0  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  Uskv  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  wyords  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  0  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. 

0 

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 ;  (42)  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,TLwith  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. 

BODY. — 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  vfact  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  forthimself ;  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.cly  ?  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  wras  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  0 


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 

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t®__yr                  <^P            ^TV©  to 

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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  and  its  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. 


61.  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. 


91. 
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. 


92. 

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 
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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 

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*  * 

,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. 


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GRAIN  LEG  BLACKING 

CALF  GOLOSH, 

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18/8,  28/e 


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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 


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ANNOUNCEMENTS. 


Ill 


LONDON  SHOE  COMPANY 

WHOLESALE  BOOT  FACTORS.     SINGLE  PAIRS  SOLD. 


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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  iff  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 
l»y  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  TPXOUT    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  w»y, 
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 

"SILVERBURN1 
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       Gr«ea,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/  j«U-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 

&  XPRINCE  ALBERT  VICTOR 

^T^      \          and  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. 


SF»ECIALITIE  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  thro1  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. 


N°S. 


[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. 


Px»ice  £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   <'iitiil»gnr    '.'""  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.ren9th<  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-ol«ninn.— "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<53«W>  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   (nee1    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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13  K 
31 R 


12  Y 


^^^^BBfc^^U  ^^ 


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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  ffffeUf  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  TPVUE  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.    J—l  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  ANUFACTUPVERS, 

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  b°en  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,  0  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  0 

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  0 

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     0 

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., 

S43     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  tonym1*  makes  them 


2S/- 


an  ABBOTTS" 


ASS 


RED  HOUSE, 


CHEApsiDE, 

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    wfcg 

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