SALMON ANGLINQ IN IRELAND. 163 



cast delivered. Our position in mid channel gave us full command 

 of the throw, and now to the right and now to the left flew the line, 

 sweeping round till opposite the stem. Dozens of fish were rising, 

 and probably scores were under the flies ; but, as Terry said, they 

 seemed to have taken " the pledge " against them. Now, the said 

 Mr. Terry was rather choleric and impatient, and in twenty minutes 

 after our arrival proposed to move on. The advantage of racing 

 from place to place is always, in my opinion, very questionable. " If 

 you are sure of being over salmon, stick to them," was the advice 

 given to me in my nonage, and very good advice I have found it. 



Acting on it, the flies were changed, and the compliment at once 

 acknowledged. " He'll come agen, / know," mumbled Mr. "Willie, 

 with the discarded insect between his lips, whilst his busy fingers 

 were engaged in looping on a violet and grouse. " I'll swear he'll 

 come agen." A cast or two on the opposite side moistened " the 

 change," which by this time was curving gracefully in a series of 

 short darts, right over the head of our new acquaintance. " I know'd 

 it, and if he hasn't got it firm and hard, 'tis a pity." If you wish 

 to see what a salmon can do, give him plenty of room and light 

 tackle. In the present case space was ample, and nothing could well 

 be slighter than the thread which held him ; nor was our fast friend 

 at all indisposed to make the best use of his opportunity. Now 

 towards the weir he flies, then dives deep into the eddy, and next 

 rushes back to his home by the bridge. Terry is already shortening 

 the mooring-rope ready to weigh anchor and follow; but it is 

 unnecessary, as the stout fish once more heads up the stream. No 

 laggard is he ; up the torrent across down again deep under 

 water ^high in air, he rushes, dives, and leaps. Can he find no 

 friend to aid him amongst all his summer-day acquaintance ? Must 

 he forego his proposed tour, and no more revisit the haunts of his 

 infancy ? Will he never again see his meek-eyed helpmate, who is, 

 perhaps, even now waiting for her spouse in order to spend the 

 honeymoon at their country lodge ? I fear not, for who can contend 

 successfully against destiny ? Certainly not the graceful creature 

 whose strength, lately so exuberant, has now deserted him, and whose 



M 2 



