34 SALMON ANGLING IN lEELAND. 



indeed, I let matters take their own course. It seemed as if the 

 salmon had made a perpendicular run of fifty yards ; whether he did. 

 or only appeared to do so, I cannot tell. I remember having a vague 

 idea that my hooks might be fast in an ancient relative of John's 

 stout gentleman. However, he was a good fish, the best I killed 

 during my stay, and weighed a little over 151b. 



The glass was falling when we left home, but we found it much 

 lower on our return. The wind, too, was moaning and shrieking 

 over the mountains, and soon after dark the rain came down as only 

 Atlantic rain can do. There was no help for it we were in for the 

 equinox, and for the next day or two must give up all thoughts of 

 the lake. It should not, however, be supposed that Currane is at all 

 given to dirty tricks on the contrary, by its inherent good- 

 ness it soon purifies the nasty things thrown into it, and only 

 rises higher and purer from the attacks of its brawling and petulant 

 tributaries. 



A few seasons ago, the kind old lessee, with whom I shall never 

 chat again, told me that in the spring, the river was full of a small 

 silvery fish which he called '^maiden trout." These were said to be 

 brought down by the March and April spates. Whether this state- 

 ment was critically exact I do not know ; positively, I have no theory 

 of my own on the subject ; and being a member of the Society of 

 Friends, have no intention of doing battle physically or intellectually 

 on the question, and shall positively decline if summoned to '' the 

 field." 



As this was about the time, we made a cast of trout flies, and 

 strolled to the bridge. Before wetting the line I may as well say a 

 few words about this river. From the bridge to the sea the distance 

 may be two hundred and fifty or three hundred yards, the best portion 

 being that nearest the beach. This is indeed worth visiting when the 

 summer trout are in full run. Many a time have I stood by the old 

 peat-stack watching these beautiful creatures glistening in the pool, 

 turning first one silver side and then the other to the smooth sand 

 no doubt thinking it capital fun to feel the dear but troublesome 

 friends they brought from the sea growing more sick and brown 



