gALMON ANGUNG IN IRELAND. 15 



On tlio way homo our work was as neatly executed as if instant 

 payment were expected. At the eleventh hour it came. 



A spirited rise in the '* rough stream" broke the spell, and at the 

 magical hour of sundown we were again successful. To land two 

 pood fish of 101b. iuid 81b. respectively, at the close of a day so 

 inauspiciously commenced, was very consoling. In salmon angling 

 perseverance is ever better than skill. lie who keeps his fly longest 

 in the water kills most ; and to-day the happy consummation was 

 due to dogged determination, which so often wrings victory from 

 disaster. 



The flies used in this neighbourhood are the ordinary claret, fiery 

 brown, and olive, lightly dubbed, and lightly hackled. The only 

 thing worth remark about them is, that they are invariably tied on 

 hooks a size larger than would be employed by ninety-nine makers 

 out of a hundred in the manufacture of an article of similar dimen- 

 sions. It is many years since I first noticed this peculiarity, the 

 advantages of which were so obvious that I at once adopted, and 

 have never since abandoned, it. 



A fly overtied never looks well, and rarely swims well ; nor does it 

 appear that the fish object to the Kerry plan. Doubtless the salmon 

 sees nothing but the fly : his vision is bounded by the tip. Coveting 

 the rose, he overlooks the thorn, like many a wise man. The pro- 

 fessionals here understand their business thoroughly ; but amongst 

 them McCarthy enjoys a high reputation. Whosoever you select, 

 keep him in his proper place. It vnll be true kindness, as well as 

 sound policy. 



On the shores of Lough Guttane stand two anglers, by the generous 

 pemiission of Colonel Herbert ; but alas ! they have no bait, nor present 

 means of procuring any, for the midge flies are left behind. Again 

 and again every book and case has been carefully examined not a 

 hook in the most remote degree suitable is there. In sheer vexation, 

 Willie stands sketching a fancy par on the lid of his tobacco-box 

 with the end of a file. Necessity is the true source of inspiration. 

 '* Hand me a pin and the pliers." The head and point were soon off, 

 and the requisite length of wire remained. A blow with a stone 



