SALMON ANGLING IN IRELAND. 178 



relative to the number of salmon killed within the present season on tho Moy, 

 and were gratified to learn the following results : Mr. John Gordon killed 54 

 fish in ten consecutive days. The highest weekly aggregate we have ever 

 known before this year in Ballina was by Sir Humphrey Davy ; when angling 

 here in 1823 he killed 45 salmon. In 1843 Sir Richard Sutton killed 100 fish 

 on this river within a month, Mr. Coke 40 in one week, Mr. Musgrave 165 in 

 six weeks, and Captain Congrave 22 in one day. J'his is decidedly the best 

 year that came since, for Mr. George Pollock took 27 in three days, Mr. Forde 

 15 in one day, Dr. Peard 15, and Mr. Staunton 11. 



As a rider to the above extract, it may not be out of place to 

 remark that I had only arrived a day or two before the paper was 

 published, or perhaps it might have been deemed worthy of record 

 that in twenty-one consecutive days I landed ninety-seven salmon, 

 and about half a score of white trout. 



In the former chapter it has been shown what might be done on 

 the Moy in a bad season ; in the present, what could be achieved in 

 a good one ; and if the angler strikes a balance between these extremes 

 he will have a fair idea of what may be expected during an average 

 June and July. 



It was my intention when I set out this morning to have commenced 

 a week " up the river " under the skilful guidance of my friend Pat 

 Heames it was, upon my honour, and if you look at the head of 

 this chapter, you vnll observe that I made a note to that effect ; 

 but, instead of going up, I have been all the time going down. 

 "Now, my dear sir," you will say, "this infirmity of purpose, 

 almost amounting to temporary aberration of intellect, is very 

 reprehensible, and must not occur again ; it is deserving of censure, 

 and you must consider yourself reprimanded." " Confiteor, domine, 

 excellentissime." Yet, pray believe me, there was method in the 

 madness. 



On the way back I paid a visit to Mr. Little, in his oflSce by the 

 weirs, and whiled away a very pleasant hour in his company. With 

 him was a gentleman an admirable converser who amongst other 

 matters took a view of the Fishery Act altogether new to me, and 

 certainly much opposed to my own opinions. In his judgment rivers 

 stocked like the Moy received positive injury from the extended 



