THREE FISHERS, AND SOME BIG FISH 147 



dusk arrived, and with it assistance in the shape of 

 Mr. Arthur Fowler, but his efforts, like those of his 

 uncle, failed to bring the fish to the surface. Many 

 were the conjectures as to the probable size of the 

 monster which had resisted a heavy strain in so 

 strong a stream for so long a period ; but when dusk 

 was rapidly changing to darkness desperate remedies 

 were called for. A lantern was sent for and a second 

 rod, and Mr. Arthur Fowler, having rigged up an 

 impromptu triangle of three large flies and fastened it 

 to the new line, attached it to a key ring and sent it 

 down the other line to the fish ' like a kite messenger.' 

 Getting a second purchase on the salmon, he was 

 soon brought to the gaff and landed, when, to every 

 one's surprise and disappointment, he turned out to 

 be only about 16 lb., but hooked foul 'fair amid- 

 ships ' in the side, half-way below the dorsal fin, 

 which accounted for his obstinate resistance. Had 

 he also escaped, no doubt an addition would have 

 been made to the legends of lost monsters ; but it is 

 to be observed that in most recorded instances 

 opportunities are afforded for seeing the fish, which 

 did not occur here. The contest lasted from noon 

 till nine o'clock. I have endeavoured to obtain 

 authentic information of the size of fish taken with 

 the rod, but records are so unsatisfactorily kept, and 



