SALMON ANGLING IN IRELAND. 77 



trout, however, aflford excellent sport, and range from 21b. to 91b. 

 Hauling our boat at the weirs, we launched her again, and pursued 

 our way towards Kilrea. Here and there on the broad bosom of the 

 too tranquil stream we met a cot, holding an angler or two, some of 

 whom had five or six trout. They were remarkably well-made fish, 

 but I do not remember seeing one above 41b., whilst the great 

 majority did not exceed 2^1b. The day, however, was as unfavour- 

 able as could well be imagined. All parties, if agreeing in nothing 

 else, seemed unanimous in the opinion that the Board of Works, 

 whilst improving the navigation, had injured the fishing by removing 

 or altering the fords ; nor could I leani that a single salmon had yet 

 been taken by the rod. In point of size, the fish rank next to those 

 of the Erne and Shannon. Taking a hasty lunch, we pulled down 

 the river at our best pace, and were just in time to catch the mail 



car back to Bushmills The glasses kept their promise, for on 



the following morning the sky was covered with misty clouds. 

 There was a smir of rain, too, and a soft west wind faintly ruffled 

 Island Fad as we slipped on " the scarlet." Cast after cast fell light 

 and true, but not a fish stirred. The soldier gave place to " the 

 silver body," which in tmn yielded to the ' golden olive ;" next 

 came " the parson," but he preached in vain ; and last of all a small 

 dark claret was tried, with which, in about three hours, four salmon 

 were landed. The upper pools lay still and unruffled. The west 

 wind could do nothing for them, so we followed the stream down to 

 the Stone and the Throat, where, after doing all we knew for four 

 hours, we succeeded in killing two fish more. Thus ended the day, 

 which was highly satisfactory, considering the small amount of air. 

 The next that followed seemed far more promising. There was a 

 spanking west wind over Island Fad and the lower water. We went 

 to work early, but did nothing till after four o'clock, when we rose 

 five salmon, killing three of 81b., lOlb., and lO^lb. respectively. 



And now our last day has come, and with it clouds and a keen 

 small north-east breeze. No questions were asked ; no consultation 

 was needed ; Laggandrade was our mark, and to Laggandi-ade we 

 came. 



