UC-NRLF B 4 5DD 0E2 AUTI^OR OF GecHKelson TIPS. TIPS By thh Author of "THE SALMON FLY Geo. M. Kflson. Hci-it.ici (L-niincat (Olavi.un. I'UKLISIIEIl HV THE Al'TIIOR, 25, Victoria Stkkkt, Westminstfr, AND c/o The Dangerfield Printing Company. Limited, 2j, Hedford Street. Stranh. w c All R't;lils Reserved. 1901. THE Dangerfield Printing Co., Ltd.. Printers. '2.3. Bedford Street, Strand. London. Contents. CHAPTER I. IiiK Ron TO Select . - - i II. Till. Fi.v TO Use- - - - h III. Methods of Castinc; - - - 49 I\'. Rivi:ksii)E Hints - . - 79 V. Wading ----- 109 VI. Knots - - - - - '26 VII. Modern Impkove.ments - - - 133 \\ii.\t the I'ArEKS s.w aihjut '•Till': SALMON FLY." 162 K^3 iV!844784 Index. A Hint lu Gill.cs Aiiylinj,r, wliy the unenlightened succeed Bait Can, the best Casting- a long line, advantages of Casts, the Overhand ... the Underhand the Spey the Switch „ the Wind Cast Cause and Effect, the Study of Comparison between two nielhods in tin- 0\ Dogs, the mischief of . . . Downward Curve in tlie top of a rod Etiquette at the riverside Experts (so called), pretentions of Externa] objects, effect on Uie fish Extra standard flies described ... PAGE Ferrules, tlie Lockfast ... ... ... ... 134 Faults in old Spey rods ... ... ... ... 60 Flies, checkinj^r and hastening their transit ... ... 84 choice of, the best policy ... ... ... 13 „ the best policy ... ... ... 14, 3/ „ „ „ effect of natural surroundnigs ... ... 27 " Jock '■ ceases to charm... ... ... . . 15 distinct types, when to use ... ... ... 21 the gut loop of ... ... ... ... i.|5 „ example of special patterns ... ... ... 95 toning down ... ... ... ... ... 33 selection and principles to pursue... ... 34. j". 38 striking example of change of fashion ... ... 18 natural, advantage of, imitation ... ... 35, 43, 44 working a slack ... ... ... ... 95 Redpath's ... ... ... ... ... 155 Fly bo-x, aluminium ... ... ... ... ... 144 Garments ... ... ... ... ... ... 152 Governor cast, where useful ... ... ... ... 28 Gut casts, the best ... ... ... ... ... 149 „ sizes for twisting ... ... ... ... 147 Harling, method of ... ... ... ... ... 2 Hooks, the improved ... ... ... ... ... 136 How to succeed in waler ovcr-thrashcd ... ... ... 87, 88 How to manage fish hooked in the back or body loi, lOJ, 104, 105 India-rubber boots, how to dry ... ... ... 113 Improvement on heron hackles ... ... ... 155 "Kelson" rods and lines Knotting eyed iiooks Knotting gut Lea[)in;4 lisli, maiiagcincnt uf ... Lines for dilTcrcnt sized rods ... the best dressing Logan-stones, definition of Mending a cast Miss R "s practice on the Dee Moonshine, effect of ... New Century, first day Observation, advantages of Origin of " Spey " Improved Rod „ " The Butcher " Picture of fine [)ool and how to proceed ... Reasons for underhand casting Result of Author's system of angling compared with those of other anglers Rods, cane ... composite, why wrong ... old style, and why given up manipulation of, in bright weather and where what sort docs the angler want ... [jri/.es wcm with the " Kelson " ... „ length of selection of ,, steel ribbed 126, 150 127 129 lOI 5 122 91 82 16 29 Ls; 5dia of Sport," has done me the honour to accredit m\' former book, " The Salmon Fly," with being the standard work on the subject, 1 should be wantinir in my simplest duty had not care been taken to brin-,' the information in this volume thorouglily up-to-date. Perhaps few, if any, fishermen, have had larger opportunities than have fallen to m\' lot for stud\ing ever\-tliiiig connected with the numerous problems that bear reference to the art of catching the king of fish with a fly. Under these circumstances it is not likely that 1 should have relinquished my efforts to know all that is worth publishing and puiilish all thai is worth knowing of the latest schemes and devices incidental to this branch of the sport. 1 yield to an irresistible impression inspired by former confidence reposed in me, that this work would be incomplete and not sufficiently instructive had 1 withheld a number of improvements and inventions, accompanied with names and addresses, which 1 ]ieisuade myself will be most acceptable to the angling reader. G. M. K. BURBERRYS, 31, Haymarket, London, and Basingstoke. IHB "liURBhRRY" SUII. THE "KELSON" JACKET. c-il. Tlu> coat oiilv wiiiils to'be known to be universally :i.lc.iilwl-"-SiKnP(l, GEO. M. KELSON. !.■) 1 01 CHAPTER THE ROD TO SELECT. " A good deal depends on ul ivsts in a -n. uvr al llic sU-ni, wlnlc tin' angler simply sits and walchos and wishrs and waits foi' a fish to slmzc the fly crossing the river as it works to and fro up stream. l''or this so-called engaging business, perhaps no rod equals a Casllecoiuicll, which is sjiccially constructed to hold fisli from those awkward rocks that abound in the Shannon waters. But for high-class fishing the rod really must be built on different lines. Sometimes, for instance, we arc called upon to adopt the Overhand cast, sometimes the Wind or the Spey ; at other limes the Switch, and so on. Of the superiority of the rod fit for this work, there can be no doubt ; for not only can the practised hand command with ease all known Catches, but intervening spots, whicii he sees at a glance may hold a fish, are never left " maiden," provided there is room to work the rod. Ill further reference to this style ol rod, some years ago, at one of the angling tournaments, the present writer happened to win the first prize for the longest cast in six different competitions ; but what is the more important to purchasers, he succeeded in carr\-ing off the Cup offered by Mr. Nicholay " for the best cast of over forty yards made with the wind and then against it." The "Kelson Rod" — for it is known only by that name— has been beautifully made in greenheart, by Farlow, for over tliirt)' \ears. Go where one may, one constantly sees it in use, and hears it applauded to the echo. Hardy, as usual, m.-i.kcs the pattern in built cane and delights numerous customers. An episode relating to my tackle in its complete form, though woven with extravagant fancies, is perhaps worthy of note. A " t\pical creamy English girl," engaged on a difficult fisher.v belonging to a grand old sportsman named Gould, modestly requested to try the tackle, and the chief point is, that with it this lady quickly achieved a brilliant success. But if the whole truth is to be told, when fish after fish had been placed in a hut prettily situated, the following doggerel concerning the proprietor, scrawled inside, met the eye : " So you see, my dear Sir, ihoiigh eiglity years old, A girl of nineteen falls in love witli old Gould." While some passing sceptic aired his views in this way : " A girl of nineteen may love Gould, it is true, But believe me, dear Sir, it is Gold without U." Permission is given to add, that the fair devotee of our art is, perhaps, the only feminine expert living who can demonstrate nearly all the methods of casting a salmon fly. Now, why is it we never come across our old-time acquaintance, the " trouty " salmon rod ? It is for two very simple reasons. The first, because it will not carry the line we should now use ; the second, because distant fish cannot be covered unless the comparatively light line suited to it is taken out by the wind in the right direction. These rods were generally made of hickory, most of them measured 20-ft. in length — some even more. But latter-day experience decides that a 1 7-//. properly balanced rod of greenheart, or cane if not deprived of its action by the addition of any foreign substance, is sufficient for all practical purposes. The marked and gladdening reduction made of late in the length is entirely due to vast improvements in lines and dressings. It might here be mentioned that notwithstanding the advantages of cane over greenheart, wherein the economy of physical energy [H-cdomiiuilcs in ovcrliand casting, purchasers ')f a grccnhcart can use- it at once, whereas a cane rod ought to remain sc\oral iiKiullis in a nice even temperature before a single cast is made with it. 15\- this treatment the cenienled jouits gel hard and ht for e\cr>' sort of emergency. Without it the particular slraui of some individual cast causes weakness, making itself visiljle by a contortion of the upper joint. A No. 3 line is best suited to either rod. Hut in sunnner, or at any lime wiien the water runs low, it is advisalile to u-e lighter tackle altogether. A lO-ft. Hid and a No. 4 line, or in fiur weather even a No. 5, is sufficient for almost every case, the exception being at limes when the fish run large, and snow water, which is \er)' heavy and often prohibitive of deep wading, continues to flow. In choosing a rod there is one point which seems to be of very considerable importance. Shall we select a composite rod— that is, one constructed of different materia,ls ; or a homogeneous rod— tiiat is, one constructed of the same material thruughout? Upon this point my opinion is distinctly in favour of the latter. The first reason to be assigned for this preference, is one beyond which rishcrinen in general will not seek to go : vi/,., that as a matter of constant experiment under various conditions of weather, the composite rod has never been found to answer anything like as well as the other. In casting a short line overhead, the .average angler finds but little difference between the two styles ; but when it cmius to covering distant fish, so certainly does the rod begin to labour and become inanimate, that any doubt lurking in the mind of the older hand is instantly dispelled. To examine the matter from a theoretical point of view, let us consider the arguments for and against the composite rod. One form of it is constructed of two different kinds of wood. For instance, a rod made partly of ash and partly of lance is still used on the Spey. Surely it may be taken as an axiom that no two kinds of wood are similar in grain, or would behave in the same way as far as pliability or weather-resisting qualities are concerned. The closer the grain, the less chance of injury from wet weather. Ash is an open grained wood ; lance, on the contrary, is close grained. The rod that approaches perfection for general fishing is such a delicately balanced whole, and does its work so evenly and regularly, that to have one part working with a spring initially different, or liable to sudden changes differing from those which take place in other parts, cannot be advantageous. As to this class of Spey rod it appears that, even for Spey casting, any possible advantage gained by the top of lance wood is utterly lost in the thrash-down, because of the inflexibility of the ash butt, which too slowly responds to the action of the more lively lance. The fact is that unless the wave of force set up by the quicker action of the top joint is maintained down to the winch fittings, the line in ordinary hands refuses to go beyond a limited distance. Another, and curiously enough, a fashionable form of composite rod, is that composed of cane with a steel centre. Now, the steel centre is hardly thicker than a good-sized pin, and in one style of cane rod continues all the way down the three separate joints. When one tried to realise the purpose of this steel core at the dinner table the other day, he said it called to mind the irate father shouting in Les Fourberies de Scapin, " Que diable allait-il faire dans cette galere." " Oh ! Oh ! " (exclaimed another). 7 " Well, if \uu object, siiyhLly paraphrase it and say, ' Wlial the devil il's doiny here ' — Goodness only knows." Al all events, it cannot be doing the impossible. In a gymnasium one can easily understand the bar (cni whu h the gymnast circles) being furnished, as it often is, with a steel core, possibly one third of an inch in diameter, but there is no comjiarison in this. The bar has to stand infinitely rougher work ; it has to sustain great weight and very severe strain, and hardly bends either \va\- more than an inch or so out of its normal position. Strength, then, is the object sought for and undoubtedly attained by this mode of arrangement. But is this the end sought for in a rod? I low can its supporters maintain such a contention ? They assert that the flexibility or li\ eliness, as well as the strength of the rod, is thereb}' increased. We should like to ask them to explain in what way the bending of the outer case is affected by the infinitely greater flexibility of the inner core. In casting, of course, the strain affects the bend of the cane ; but the strain is primarily u]ion the outer surface, and subsecjuently upon the inner particles only so far as they are part and parcel of the whole. By no manner of means can a man make the steel cen I red rod benil sufficiently for the wire to lend the least possible aid. The core in the gymnastic bar resists the bend, but increases the spring, and this is eminently satisfactory for the purpose to which the bar is put. But how can one imagine thai tin's thin piece of wire, six feet in length, can assist in the action of the cane? Supposing it were fixed at each end of a joint, the action of the cane would be considerably curtailed ; and if not fixed, it would have free play inside the cane, in TIPS. which case all comment would be superfluous, nay ridiculous. Whether the injurious influence of the steel core in a small rod can be detected while making a moderate cast, is a question upon which expert opinion is uncertain. The subject is, however, of such far-readiing importance, that all those who want to realise the mischievous effect of a steel centre should consider this : Bend a cane rod and it will fly back, while a length of this wire would unquestion- ably fall the other way. Should not this fact of itself go far to help all who are in doubt? In short, no better proof of the deadening qualities of this core could be given than the fact that a much longer line can be cast with the full-sized rods in the absence of it. No body of responsible manufacturers, whose services are of any value, will be likely to contest these statements. And yet in spite of their discriminating judgment, they are compelled to supply customers upon demand with this undesirable and messy mixture. With reference to the remark on making a long cast, whatever arguments may be held for and against the practice, there is but one solution. A man who can cast forty yards can fish thirty-six. Therefore, another getting out only thirty yards loses ten yards of water — and his sovereign, if he backs himself to kill as many salmon as his companion. No, there are places, many places, where a long line is most essential ; and no greater mistake is made than to fancy that the fly under control thirty-five yards away misses more fish than the one roving within twenty yards of the rod. What we have a low opinion of is the practice of using more line than is really required. The angler should not attempt to use a longer line or a longer rod than he can master, since it is prejudicial to the interests of others as well as to his own. Tliere is ii certain section of anglers who openly contend tli.it, not only is one rod as good as another, but that one man is no belter than another in using it. Were this so, nothing but the element of luck lies at the root of tiial superior success frequently manifested at times when tiie fish arc in a sulky mood and rest in a lifeless manner. How thoroughly mistaken are these innocent people ! How absolutely useless the keen competition for supremacy in the trade to turn out the sort of rod wanted for this or that cast, in order that e\ery Catch under the sun may not be passed over by us ! However, it is to be hoped that the few hints thrown out may be of service to intending purchasers, who for their own sake should bear in mind, that all the known methods of propelling the line can be accomplished with the so-called " Kelson " rod, which, though sufFicicntl}' powerful to catch the heaviest salmon, is not unduly hard upon the tender mouth of a grilse. BURBERRYS, 31, HaymarKet, London, and Basingstoke. WEATHERPROOFS FOR SPORTSMEN. THE BURBERRY CAPE Is fitted with a iloublc front, providiiii; warmth when the wings aie thrown back to allow freedom of arm for fishing. The wings can be formed (by buttoning at the wrist) into sleeves. THE BURBERRY SUIT. See pns. Next day a score of men rush at the pattern wliich lie favoured, regardless of the fact that conditions are altogether changed. .... Again, a man takes one fly in preference to another, solely on account of its superiority in point of beauty. The fly attracts tlie notice of, and becomes a ' ]iet ' with, a large class of men who laud it til the skies and speak of it with deliricuH delight. The result is, that the unintelligent student regards the little pet, decorated in her Sunday licst, as a kind of fetish which he may bring out at all times when other flies fail What do you think now nf the tyranny of tradition ? " "We are much indebted to you, but can you think of a worse. " I anticipate your question. The worst policy to pursue, at least 1 think so, is that which — on the analogy of Wordsworth's undiscerning clown, to whom ' a ]5rimrose on the river's brim a yellow- primrose was to him anrl nothing more ' — lightly assumes that a ll\- is a fly, and that one ])attrrn is as gor d as an;ither on all occasions .... Are \ou aware that the majority of angling students pretend to know all there is to know of tlie busiiu-s in a week ^ We iiave evidence of this every day, if only by their unsolicited attentions. With an air of the most rasping pedantry they will criticise the fly — but stop, we must not dwell on the dismal side of the picture suffice it to s.iy that, after getting a fish or two, the youth of this country list(-ns with eagerness to all he's told at the riverside, and then- though the fact is hardly worth the well as in the Press." " But where should we be without tlie Press ? " " In a worse phght still The ' Field ' published a capital article a few weeks ago. The contributor remarked that ' in districts thrashed continuously by a large number of rods, the fish got absolutely sick of the same old flies played over them from morning till night ' Tiie pattern of fly to attract salmon when tliey have settled down in the recognised Catches, especially when the oiiiniinit gatlicruiit are taking tJuir turn at them, must be one with some original freshness in it For you to say, ' the fish take kindly to the old designs on reaching the upper waters ' is all very well and very true. But if we direct our attention to the facts presented to us, we shall first see that the flies used at the top of rivers are only half the size, and mind you, size is a very important factor. Then again, are not the fish invigorated by the rise and freshness of the water which encouraged them to go ahead } " These recollections must suffer from unavoidable abbreviations. However, just at that moment, while excitement seemed growing to a high pitch, we were pleasantly interrupted by the ladies, of whom one specially interested in the conversation made her presence felt. After awhile the old " Rod," possessing a well -stored memory, cited a remark made no less than two thousand years ago. " A great orator (said he, cheeringly) declares that ' time obliterates the fictions of opinions and confirms the decisions of nature,' and yet (looking round with a smile) the sentiment of John Keats, in his immortal line, ' a thing of beauty is a joy for ever ' is, when applied to the choice of a fly for its beauty alone, about to be repudiated by a large section of the angling fraternity. Change, not permanence, is what we require." " The only change I want (it was the lady now speaking), is a 44 Tbe . . , SaliDOQ Fly;' . . How to Dress it and How to Use it. BY GEO. n. K^LSon. (See Press Opinions, p. 162). To be irad at . . . Fahlow's, 191, Strand, and direct from the Author, 25, Victoria Street, Westminster. OMLY A FEW COPICS LCFT. 15 change of instruction. I want a gillie with a better power of imparting knowledge than n>ine, one who can make me do the Spey cast. (The old ' Rod ' began to eat his moustaclie). It's so horrid to try, tr}-, tr)-, in iiresence of a lot of " "Ten thousand pardons (interposed the old gentleman), but it would be so sweet of you to let us thresh out the present subject first. Do you mind ? I'm sorry you dropped in so late, or you might have got a wrinkle or two ; I 1 mean a hint or two on using flies dressed absolutely up to date." "What! I give up dear old 'Jf)ck'? Oh! Inconceivable! Think of the sacrifice. Remember it has taken eleven fish out of mv fifteen ; and didn't you say that ' Jock's ' particular combination of colours made clear the fact that originality of design and independ- ence of thought were the inventor's end in view ? Rut still, I won't interrupt you for all the world. Pray continue. Tra, la, la ; it sha'n't occur again." (Fifteen fish, it might have been fifty, or even more.) " That's all very nice, but since then we ha\e made wonderful discoveries. We have discovered, for instance, that the methods of the fly-fisher are no longer irrational, and amongst other things, that the life of a fashionable fly is now of limited duration. Fashions change in e\cr\- walk of life, and those of our kindred who refuse to make an effort to keep pace with the changes, are sure to taste the full bitterness of defeat. Delays are dangerous. And why should you, of all others, associate yourself with men who are sure to find it too late to-morrow I'erau'-c the)- regard to-day as loo soon ! " " Tell me why ' Jock Scott ' has ceased to charm the fish ? " "Because it has exhausted their 'patience' by constantly i6 being brought into operation. Like yourself, people tinctured with enthusiasm won't use anything else. Thousands sustain the frenzy of such enthusiasm — a frenzy that animated their fathers and mothers ^but that only shows the influence exerted by all who acknowledge the authority of tradition " " Then I pity the man who vows that ' enthusiasm ' is the genius of sincerity, and truth accomplishes no victories without it.' You are, nevertheless, a capital teacher, interesting because always interested. .... I wish you would tell me where the change you speak of is most needed .'' " " Where ? Everywhere, especially on hard fished waters Take the case of Miss R , consider that. I knew her ; took her out ; taught her fishing. Last year, you remember, in May and June, she fished the Dee. Do you think for a moment that ' Lizzies ' and ' Logics ' occupied an atom of space in her book— pooh ! rather not ; they are absolutely out of it now ; she took a set of modern summer patterns, and caught twenty-seven fish. In my opinion that is twenty more than would have fallen to her lot without instructions. ' What was the most successful fly?' Well, you had better put the name down. It was the ' Silk Bodied Benchill,' a first-class pattern, and killed sixteen all told " " Oh, that satisfies me ; I've made a note of it, and " " Stop a minute, stop a minute ; the summer this year may be very different. Still, if the conditions of water, weather, and stock of salmon are at all sinnlnr, there would be a very slight difference in the numlier caught." " Well, I've tried the Dee ; how about the ' Blue Charm ' up there, eh ? " 17 " The ' Blue Charm " is by far llie best of the old lot in siiinnicr, but isn't in it with the best of the new, I mean of that particular type. In fact, it's gone home to roost this three or f(nir years, and i)assed into the limbo of worn out Hies only to be forked out by the unenlightened." " Tell us the names of the others? " y\nd then, while a single individual hailing from the Usk wanted a " tip " for his river, which he got later on, the veteran continued : " The other three that complete tlie set, are known as ' Louise,' the ' Silver Gre\-,' and ' Little Inky-boy.' I will tell you when they all come into fa\-our. Although we are talking of the months of May and June, none of these flies— all varying in size from one inch (dress) down to half an-inch — see da\-hglit till the waters fall to summer height. In sunny weather, when we hrst want them, the largest silver-bodied specimen is 'real jam' from ten in the morning till three in the afternoon ; but mind you, it is very useful late in the evenings of intense heat in June. ' Louise ' is reserved for cloudy davs ; the ' Little Inky-bov ' for daily use in the lowest water — when, 1))- the bye, plenty of fme gut is absolutely necessary." " Are these flies good for the Usk? " "When small ones come in, certainh'. I'ut to my mind the ' Penpergwm Pet,' considerably reduced in body ;uid wing, is a better fly there for general use." " ' G^^neral use,' what's really meant by that? " " It is an expression adopted in making reference to flies which we know (urn out well on those dav's of quiet prosperity — da\'s when the lion lies down with the lamb, and even the 'unco' guid ' are as luck)- as most other people. Those interesting 'goody-goodies' always take for gospel the fairy fishing tales flying about in the daily round of life, and seem to derive quite enough pleasure from a tug just now, and a solitary fish just then. Mind, they have no relations to blush for them, and so far as appearances are concerned have not the slightest intention of departing from the old beaten track." " Well, people can't be happy unless they are good." " That may be, but good people miss all the fun. The fun commences when their reverses begin, when the red-letter days are over. It IS then a veritable transformation scene for all those who act in the ' stage play ' at the riverside — a scene effecting a change from old-fashioned flies to clever ' variations ' and then to our latest special patterns. However, soon after the ' Penpergwm Pet ' came upon the scene at Usk, it accounted for no fewer than eleven salmon in one day, all taken in the vicinity of Penpergwm bridge. But note this, the body composed then of close coils of seals' fur carried as much wing material as a man could safely put on. So there you are ; you see how fashion changes ! We really must go with the times, and not with the spirit of the age. And the sooner the folly of our loyalty and devotion to tradition is conclusively demonstrated, and a system to reap the full fruits of victory is introduced into use, the sooner will salmon fishing attain to a higher level, and the greater hold it will exercise over one and all alike." " Ladies included ? " " Yes, certainly ; even including the prawn and minnow denomination whom we politely call Fishermen, because that's not their name." " Oh, fancy the mistakes we all make ! " " Well, it is not so very surprising after all, for you know ' error 19 is an abyss of passion into which each successive generation phinges, without the shghtest regard to the fatal effects which such conduct has produced upon their predecessors.' You should take courage, for the old saw, like every other rule, has its limitations." " Well, I suppose I must think more about altering " " 1 have gi\cn )ou my advice about altering your tactics. If you reflect a little, jou must realise that the mighty pendulum of change swings with impassive and impersonal regularity, apart from all controversies, from all imaginings — swings subject to the cosmic laws of gravitation, by which, at all events, the thoughts of scientific fishermen of to-day are carried on to ends and purposes of which our grandfathers did not dream." " The idea is enough to " " The idea may be a little difficult for us to grasp at first, especially as we live in the midst of its evolution, part and parcel ourselves of the changing order. Take my word for it, Science is searching out the weak points and can override all opposition. She can wholly sweep away all barriers, and bring down to her own universal line of equalisation the most stubborn impediments But my tune is now up, though 1 have yet something to say which you may all like to hear. \'uu may congratulate yourselves upon the following facts, namely, that certain methods established from age to age, on no evidence whatever, have already seen their day ; that the pretensions of our so-called experts, who know nothing of the conditions which control our destinies, and have made tradition one of life's little worries, are gradually exploding; that the happy-go- lucky period of freedom in the chuck-and-chance-it school has passed and gone for ever, for the master key to the fly problem has been discovered at last " As he left the room he observed : " Here is something else that precludes all argument. The gentle influence of time has proved that the knowledge of what fly to use is no longer the distant goal of a vague idea, but an actual, achieved reality, brought home by that force which comes, not from the mist of sentiment, but from downright reason and understanding. There! The system will be explained presently, and this is what will happen : At first you'll regard it with unconcern, presently with allowance, then with approval, at last with participation. Goodbye." And the door closed. The subject then turned upon a side issue respecting the determination of some to dispute all systematic methods of fishing, and culminated in a sliarp attack upon current literature. " Of all national sports (continued the speaker), salmon fishing is the least fit to be judged by an outsider. Only last Saturday a newspaper contained a pointed criticism of one of the revelations m " The Salmon Fly,"* and " "Oh! that is unimportant; go on please," remarked the author. " Well, it stands to reason that newer ideas have gained hold upon those who have studied fishing as closely as our friend over there. According to the critic's own remarks, even the average angler will not grasp certain points of detail, the proper appreciation of which throws an entirely different light on the art, and raises it to a much higher level. The fact is that our angling literature is so full of inaccurate observations, hasty generalisations, and crude hypotheses, as to entail a great waste of time on the student of authentic books of reference." * N.B. See " Side Issues " (page 39). But let us turn, or r;illier return to more " Tips." Sour- time n'^o tiie comijilcr of tlicsc pages wrote for a publication that ceased to exist at very sliort notice, a review of our flics from those far-off days of boyhood when one Joiin Jewhurst, of Tunbridge, created a sensation by the intmduclion of a (ly destined to be re christened " Tiie I3utcher." So superior in outhnc, in constituent materials, in st)-le and character was this happy creation, that thenceforward his built wings made a regular commotion in the angling world, besides a reputation for themselves which can never die out. The fly was soon admired by all, including most of the trade. We saw it in all windows, dressed in all sizes. Customers had it universally recommended, and what is more, the discovery was the means of bringing in other men, who, in due course, thought out and devised a number of fresh patterns, which to this day occujjy a prominent place in the list of Standards. Wright, of Sprouston, " Jock " Scott, also of Tweed notoriety — a celebrated gillie whose name will endure for ever by reason of that paragon of his, called after him— Bernard of London, and, besides the author of " The Salmon Fly " himself, one or two others ma>' all la>' claim to the credit of designing specimens, which in themselves are more or less remarkable for superior excellence and freshness of conception. These observations bring to mind the assignment of the different t)-pcs of flies to waters for which they are suited ; and as the subject was not renewed after the old " Rod " had retired from the meeting, this part of the work of classification is here introtluced. Of the distinct types, five presented themselves for localisation. Mixed Wings, of single fibres — example " Silver Scout. Note : These vvmgs are often substituted for those of any fly. Built Wings, of married strips — " The Silver Jock. 23 3- Strip Wings, of two single strips — " Ilic Dunt' 4. Topping Wings, of golden plieasant toi)pings— " Variegated Sun Fly." 5- Whole Feather Wings, of feathers, not pieces of tliem- Black Ranger." " Dr. Donaldson," amongst other patterns, whose under wings are hkewise composed of the feathers of macaw, and even tiie " Butcher," when the water is not too rough, are gencraUy inckidcd in the Ranger set. Mixed wings (No. i) — the most mobile of the set — were booked for cahii, unruffled catches, and so on in comparative rotation up to whole feather wings (No. 5), wliich, being constructed to battle with waters dashing along in violent commotion, were naturally assigned to falls and rajjids. It may be necessary to note that nothing has occurred to lessen in the slightest degree the favourable impressions created by this manner of arrangement. But let us proceed with the still more interesting question of choice. 25 To a very simple circumstance, that must have been noticed thousands of times, we owe the discovery of our system generally of deciding the sort of fly lo use when fishing is practicable. As all know, the bright sun brings out the brightest butterfly, and from this constant act of Nature the system has partly been evolved. As a matter of course, observation is the basis of all scientific knowledge. From what other agency could inspiration be drawn ? Observation seems to be the keynote of every solution in every field of enquiry ; and in fishing, to disregard such things as, for instance, the effect of light and shade, leads to reverses the most unexpected. Hardly any of us form the slightest idea of Uie extent to which the faculty of observation can be utilised. Take, as an example, a brief illustration of this. The writer was oul mi a river in Aberdeenshire, and had hardly put up his rod when a gillie, from the fishery below, handed in a letter to the following effect : " We have a match on to-day — you to coach a friend of mine. Will \(iu come ?" He was referred to one of the places where he received the rudinients of his early education! Ife knew the pools of old, and the various methods of attack were all equally familiar. However, it soon became clear that his companion felt himself quite unable to grapple with the problem before him, since he had not heard of mounting a bright fly when the sun shines, or of one, after the living insect itself, which, from time to time, is deemed expedient. But later in the day, when it came to the corresponding principle of using a dull, sombre pattern, because the sky had become cloudy, he 26 submitted in tame silence, and sank into an imiplicit confidence. We were now making for the Catches which had been previously allotted, our " opponents " having moved in another direction. Keen to a degree, the young fisherman, who had been at it long enough to catch the usual spirit of enthusiasm, seemed bent on trying one particular spot, and hurrying along, enquired about the fly to put on first. The reply was, " first let me understand the exact spot you mean, for should it be at the hut in front of us, your only chance of success would be by shooting a net." To paraphrase the proverb about true words spoken in jest, the idea of shooting a net, though spoken lightly, proved later on to be true. " No, we must go round the turn. The sun shines straight down the water here and that's fatal. Higher up the river you will find it shining across the water, in which case it won't do the least Harm." Taking a short cut through the wood close by, a peep at the pool from the glade on the hill was obtained, and a spacious wet patch of gravel beside the bottom part of it came into view. This led to very close investigation on arrival. The grass-blades were freshly trodden down, the sharp edges of the footprints still well defined. And there, true enough, in amongst the stones at the water's edge, lay numerous scales of salmon, which to all appearance had recently been dragged ashore by the net of the poacher. " Disappointment No. 2 ; one might just as well cast on the grass as try there. The only chance, for at least an hour, will be at the bend." Thus we have only one instance of the numerous advantages easily ohtaincti from ])crsis1cnt oliscrvalion. The unmistakahk- truth is this : All objects whirh can he seen by the eye should be carcfullv- considered and their meaning reisoned out. However, though the following description of the waters at the bend is slightly and ]3urposely misrepresented, it affords a. capital opportunity of giving one or two striking examples of the enlightened method of selecting flies. Here we are, then, say in the month of February, beside a deep stretch of water one thousand yards in length, all of which holds fish on the far side, though thirty yards away from our wading track. Except at the tail end, which is fully exposed, the water is sheltered from the sun's rays by a steep bank studded with high Scotch firs almost from the edge of the river. The one peculiarity, which affords an element of fresh interest, occurs at a place haJf way down the reach. The little attractive ruffles there, plainly visible in the distance, are caused by a certain number of peaks which derive their origin from a mass of rock embedded in the bowels of the earth. But we will proceed from the beginning and deal with these deceptive little curls in their turn. What we have first to decide is the size of our fly. In considering this, it should be borne in mind that the river Dec, on which the picture is drawn, carries the largest of all Spring flies up to the middle of March, and even up to the end of the month if the water is high and the weather unusually cold. (As the fact has been discredited in print, it may not be out of place here to mention that the writer had the best sport at C'arlogie when casting a fly exactly six inches from the bend of the liook to the head. It ma\' also be said that the most minute flies are wajited 28 TIPS. there in summer, and tliat no part of the river is more enjoyable, though it calls for far more intelligence and skill from practice than all the other districts have occasion for.) However, the fish, be it remembered, are sheltered from the rays of the sun, which nevertheless brightens up the situation. This being the case, instead of the fly being full size, it should measure no more than four inches in length. Next must be decided the sort, the colour, and the character of the fly. A black and yellow body toned down with long, dark hackles, is the best combination for shady places in the North. Consequently our " pupil " was given the fly almost universally known as the " Akroyd." Unfortunately he had never tried anything so large. Cast it, he could not. But still no blame attaches to him for failing to achieve the impossible. Now, in such a dilemma, what is the only alternative? The answer is, to fall back upon the Governor Cast, if practicable, by which means a fly of any size can be propelled a distance of fifty yards and more in ten minutes' practice. It is not necessary to dilate upon this method ; suffice it to sa\', that the cast is made by hooking the fly on to an elastic band fixed to a staple at the top of a five foot prop, which is to be inserted into the ground at the rear of the fisherman. (The apparatus can be had at Farlow's.) Having thus looped his fly into position — the hook does not penetrate the elastic itself — the angler walks towards the spot he wishes to cast from, lets out line as he goes, and then has only to make the ordinary thrash-down in the direction required. Visible to the eye of observation, these ancient peaks, spoken of, stand fast, like sentinels, guarding their own self-made lay-byes. 29 Apparently rising from the tranquil regions below, they