SALMON. 175 



But the eners^v and excitement with which the sport of 

 fishing for Sahnon is accompanied, are well shewn in the 

 following narrative, which is extracted from an Irish authority, 

 but is not the less authentic on that account: — The River 

 Shannon is known for the large size of the fish which frequent 

 it; and it was one of the largest of these which fought a battle 

 with three fishermen, and after a long contest came off con- 

 queror. With the first of these the contest lasted for five 

 hours, during which he Avas worked three miles down the 

 stream, until at last in the approaching darkness he became 

 faint with fatigue, and then a companion took his place. The 

 second combatant fared little better; for although he boldly 

 kept up the conflict for eight hours, at the end of that time 

 he found himself seven miles further down the river, with the 

 day just breaking upon him, and with as little chance of a 

 triumph as when he began. A gentleman residing near the 

 river became informed of this extraordinary proceeding, and 

 hastily rising from his bed, he proceeded to the field of fight; 

 where he gave the angler a pound bank-note for the rod and 

 chance of success; and without doubt this was gladly accepted, 

 as Avell for its own sake as a relief from the fear of discomfiture. 

 By several leaps the fish had shewn itself a worthy prize, 

 and the third combatant entered on the work with spirit. For 

 four miles further, and nine successive hours, the struggle 

 lasted, until at last Avith a desperate plunge the rod was broken 

 close to the reel, and the whole was carried off into the sea. 

 The time occupied in this struggle was twenty-three hours, 

 and the space travelled over was almost twenty miles. It is 

 known that if a fish in passing up a river becomes Avounded 

 or much terrified, it seeks its safety by returning to the sea, 

 from which again it may not speedily come into the same 

 stream. 



But the season comes when the Salmon must deposit its 

 spawn, and this is found to be everywhere in the months of 

 winter; for although in a few instances it has been noticed 

 as occurring as early as September, and again as late as 

 March, these are exceptional cases, and the larger number 

 are known to enter on this function from the middle of 

 November to the folloAving January. This is the time when 

 good policy in an especial manner should be directed to the 



