SALMON ANGLING IN IRELAND. 51 



either, as they were not in order duiing any of my visits, but believe 

 they are of very small accomit till the late autumn freshes ; at all 

 events the Kilcoo can hardly be of importance until the grilse arrive 

 in July, nor even then, except after heavy rains. Lough Macnean 

 is a good-sized piece of water, having a circumference of ten or eleven 

 miles. 



Spring salmon, like early spring flowers, are only to be found in 

 favoured localities. Lough Melvin being, of course, one of these. 

 Besides the Salmo Salar, the lake contains other inhabitants. Not 

 to mention '' the swinish multitude," such as eels, perch, and the 

 like, it boasts (over and above the aristocratic visitors drawn hither 

 for change of scene and au') a large number of resident gentry, of 

 three orders the gi-eat laker, gillaroo, and brown trout. There is 

 also said to be another class, shy, modest, and retiring, by no means 

 easily brought under public notice, the pullan, or fresh-water her- 

 , ring. These fish, I was informed, are tolerably abundant here, and 

 in Lough Neagh, and are only taken by netting. To the best of my 

 belief, the large lake trout are not trolled for with any system or 

 perseverance ; still they are not unfrequently taken in a chance 

 kind of way, as the angler who is not too lazy to change the fly foi- 

 the troll, passes from one side of the lake to the other. Should any 

 one, however, diligently cultivate the acquaintance of this great 

 middle class, I doubt not he would gather round him a very nume- 

 rous circle. That they run large here is certain, for I saw one in 

 the hands of a Ballyshannon professional, which he told me was 

 171b., and I am sure he was that weight, if not more. 



The gillaroo rise well at the fly, but are far smaller than the pre- 

 ceding. I do not remember ever seeing one exceeding 41b. Highly 

 favoured are these creatures, combining as they do beauty with good- 

 ness ; then, they may eat what they choose ! They might begin 

 with fish, and end with pastry and cheese, without being the worse 

 for it. Oh that excellent gizzard of theirs ; as a digestive apparatus, 

 it could convert tenpenny nails into chyle. 



But it is time to leave off '' talking shop," and be up and doing, 

 for a west wind is curling the lake, and the boatmen, together with 



B 2 



