SALMON ANGLING IN IRELAND. ^3 



reader, who, by applying to my old and valued friend the lessee, may 

 learn all he wishes to know ; and I will venture to promise that the 

 reply he receives shall be as courteous, as straightforward, and 

 explicit. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



The Bush From the Sea to the Leap -Rod-making Headlands We row up 

 the Bann Three Days consecutive Angling at Spring Tides Laggandrade 

 Letter from Lismore We go to Lough I^eagh. 



Saturday, April 29. 

 Rising at the foot of Knocklayd Mountain, the Bush pursues first 

 a westerly and subsequently a northerly course ; visiting one or 

 two small hamlets it passes Buehmills, and enters the sea close to the 

 little village of Port Ballantrae. Owing to natural and artificial 

 causes, this river holds a large quantity of water, and is probably, 

 for its size, less dependent on rain than any stream in the three 

 kingdoms. For a considerable portion of its course the Bush passes 

 through a flat marshy valley, and then thunders over a cascade, 

 known locally as " the Leap." From thence to the sea, a distance 

 of about two miles, are several weirs, which prevent the water falling 

 below a certain level. Let there be clouds, and wind from the north, 

 north-west, or west (if rain, all the better), and I will ensure the angler 

 sport, be the drought what it may. Warm, bright, and still weather 

 put an absolute stop to fishing in this stream. Of coui'se if a man 

 wants exercise he may thrash away, but by so doing he spoils his 

 chance ; it would be better to practise gymnastics anywhere than on 

 the still, unruflled pools of the Bush. The fish get sick of the flies 

 as you, without appetite, would of panada or jelly. If a lion is 

 wanted to roar outrageously at feeding-time, let his beef be a 

 novelty. 



After the change recorded in the last chaptor the weather became 

 " too bright, too blue " for our purpose ; to-day forms no exception. 



