SALMON FISHING: ON RIVER AND STREAM. By Alexander Baird Keachie.

1995 1st edition. 4to (194 x 252mm). Pp176. Colour and b/w photographs. Black boards, spine titled in gilt.

"Salmon can provide a fisherman with his finest sport, and there are few anglers who have not dreamt of catching a prime specimen of this king of fish. However, few anglers are able to fish exclusively (or perhaps at all) on the classic salmon rivers such as the Dee and the Spey. Most will rely on smaller rivers and spate streams for their sport, and these can be every bit as rewarding. Alexander Baird Keachie shows how every angler can be a successful salmon fisherman, no matter what type of water he is fishing on." A useful book centred around the idea of affordable salmon fishing. The author looks at tackle, flies and lures, how to hook, play and land the fish as well as several chapters on the salmon's life-cycle and the impossible questions of when and why they take the fly. Chapters include: Salmo Salar, the fish; Why do salmon take?; When do salmon take?; Salmon lies, the comfort factor; Clothing and accessories; Fly fishing tackle, choice and preparation; Salmon flies: facts and fancies; Casting with the double-handed rod; Tackling runners and resters; Fly fishing with a floating line; Dibbling for salmon; Nymphing for salmon; The dropped-back dropper; Bombers, dollies and skated tubes; Fishing with a sinking line; Backing up; The stripped fly; Microflies; Hooking, playing and landing; Spinning tackle; Secrets of successful spinning; A fish from the Spey; A day on the Stinchar.