200 AUTUMN ANGLING 



rowan-tree each in turn had far greater attrac- 

 tion for the contemplative man than perpetual 

 lashing for salmon who treated all our overtures 

 with silent contempt. 



For the second time we pulled up at my favour- 

 ite "road pool," but a prolific hazel copse had 

 tempted all our party under its shade, save one 

 who held my gaff. At the very top of the eddy, 

 and to the first throw, up bolted a salmon. It 

 made some fine rushes, then suddenly tamed, and 

 was easily " clipped." A small clear fish of seven 

 pounds. A short tract of dry weather again 

 lowered the Lyon. Before another "fresh" our 

 friend had left us, and to this day has never had 

 the satisfaction of "being in at the death" of 

 a salmon. 



Close-time of this season seemed to have been 

 considerably anticipated by settled dry weather. 

 For the last few days that remained, rain appeared 

 hopeless in the face of a high barometer. I had 

 contentedly put up my fishing-gear till next year, 

 when a sudden and unexpected drenching rain 

 caused a fine flow of the river. Danie and I were 

 of course off betimes for the high water, and the 



