SALMON ANGLING IN IBELAND. 149 



unvarying volume of water the heavy runs ^the large and 

 constant supply of fresh fish, all contributed to this happy con- 

 summation. During a somewhat long acquaintance with the Erne, 

 my three best days (in point of number) produced only nine, six, 

 and five salmon, and with the first even of these very moderate 

 figures, the fly, I am sorry to confess, had little to do. If a friend 

 will pardon me for expressing my feeling and experience in his 

 words : "I would rather kill a salmon at the Bank of Ireland or the 

 Grass Yard, than in any other throw which dwells in my memory. 

 The Erne is, for its length, as varied and delightful a river as I 

 know, and contains every variety of cast. Good fishing, great 

 perseverance, with perhaps the least dash of luck in the world, 

 are required to succeed well on it. Great bags are seldom made, 

 but the quality of the sport, when you can get it, is A 1." 

 Thus writes Mr. Francis Francis. Every word is true, just, and 

 discriminating. 



Kind hands were shaken we earnestly hope, not for thQ last 

 time the luggage was packed, and early on the following morning 

 we rolled over the long bridge ; cast a lingering look at the pool, 

 where many a widening ring reminded us of happy hours and 

 former triumphs, and, passing through the Purt, were soon speeding 

 towards the pretty seaside village of Bundoran, on our westward 

 course. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 



Ballysidere Its Fishery and Fishing. 



June 30. 

 How soon the present glides down into the past. How rapidly our 

 periodical literature grows old, changes its name, becomes condensed, 

 and takes rank as history. Even the condition of our rivers prior to 

 the late Act a thing of yesterday is already being forgotten ; and 



