SALMON ANGLING IN IRELAND. 135 



highly interesting to watch the desperate efforts of the silvery 

 creatures to leap the barrier as the tide rises. For a few seconds 

 all is still ; then, perhaps, a monster bounds from the water and is 

 seen for an instant quivering in the air ere he lights on the very 

 edge of the falls ; for a single moment he struggles with the 

 descending torrent, shoots through it like a stream of light, and 

 disappears in the calm deep sheet beyond. As if encouraged by 

 this success forty or fifty, perhaps, dash simultaneously at the 

 cataract. Some succeed, but more fail, to renew their attempts 

 again and again till finally triumphant. 



Between this point and the Abbey of Asheroe, where a small 

 stream enters the estuary, there is in August and September very 

 good white trout-fishing, which, however, requires the use of a boat. 

 In May and June large numbers of brown trout, returning from the 

 sea, loiter for a time in the brackish water and afterwards ascend 

 the river. Every day in summer, diminutive boys may be seen 

 seated on the rocks angling for these fish (which inin from two to 

 five pounds) with a skill beyond their tender years. They seem to 

 take to it quite naturally ; perhaps the art has been transmitted to 

 these urchins from a long series of ancestors famous in all the 

 mysteries of the gentle art. The regulars of the Erne, in casting, 

 fly-tying, wading, and patience, are, in my opinion, unrivalled ; if to 

 this be added that, as a class, they are a most respectable set of 

 men ; I think they may fairly be said to stand at the head of the 

 profession. During the present season the river from Ballyshannon 

 to Beleek is let to nine rods, but I have no warrant for asserting 

 that a similar an-angement will prevail in 1866. The bridge and 



the pool below, are reserved Dinner is over, and the 



evening feels less sultry than usual, for a pleasant northerly air curls 

 the stream and whispers hope. As a general rule salmon rise best 

 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ; and this remark, which is true of most 

 rivers, is particularly applicable to the Erne. Still many a fish is 

 killed here both earher and later by the persevering angler, though it 

 may be questioned whether the gain repays the toil. 



The broken water above Kathleen's Fall will give us nothing 



