74 A YEAR OF LIBERTY ; OR, 



SO we will walk the river from the sea to the Leap and carry a rod 

 pro forma. 



Over the firm strand flows the Bush, and just above high-water 

 mark is Welland's Pool. Ah me ! if I had as many guineas in my 

 purse as I have landed salmon from this spot it would be far heavier 

 than it is. Next come the Upper and Lower Islands. These are but 

 indifferent lodges, yet always worth a trial with the wind in the north. 

 "The Throat," "The Stone Throw," and "The Ford," are con- 

 tinuous, each nearly commencing at the point where the other ends. 

 ''The Brambly Corner" is excellent for 15ft. or 16ft. ; also "The 

 Holms," upper and lower. The latter is very good in high water 

 or a sharp breeze. " MacLoughlan's Ford " seems shallow, but is a 

 very pretty run. Now, flourish trumpets, for here is " Island Fad," 

 a long reach of dead water. It is hard to name the best part, where 

 all is good. " The Clatty Hole," " The Turn," and " The Lilacs," 

 bring us to the " Bridge Pool," the best stretch in the river. Above 

 the little town of Bushmills are "Jamie's Dam," " Laggandrade," 

 "Langtange," and "The Leap." 



Here we wiU pause and put on the casting line, for the sun, 

 hitherto cloudless, has sunk behind the wooded heights which at 

 this point surround the stream, whilst a light easterly air, the only 

 one which strikes, gains strength as the heat declines. In the rocky 

 and foaming basin under the cascade, we killed a fourteen-pounder, 

 and in the neck of Laggandrade landed another fish of less weight. 

 Such unexpected good fortune rarely falls to mortal lot. 



As we shall want a very light rod for green-drake fishing, we will 

 devote this glorioas day to making it. Nothing can be more easy 

 or simple than the whole affair. This slender bit of lancewood, about 

 1ft. in length, is reduced to the size required. A few strokes with a 

 plane form a 3 J-inch splice ; then another and another similar piece is 

 treated in like manner, and glued. The lower part of the joint is 

 formed from one length of seasoned hickory, sufficient to make the 

 whole 6ft., for the article we are working at is to be 18ft. in three 

 parts. Next, another piece of hickory of the required length is put 

 under the plane, and brought down to its due proportion. Here, 



