194 A YEAE OF LIBERTY ; OR, 



since, as that at present it does not hold a rising fish. Our hopes, 

 therefore, were limited to the capture of a dish of trout. Happily, 

 these anticipations were realised, and we enjoyed a pleasant, if we 

 did not spend a very profitable, evening on Lough Corrib. 



This lake offers noble trolling for trout at an earlier season ; 

 occasionally fish of great weight are to be taken. I never tried it, 

 but was informed that one of 27-Jlb. had been killed by the rod, 

 though the exact date of the capture seemed uncertain. This, of 

 course, was one of the great prizes sometimes drawn in life's lottery, 

 yet I have reason to believe that lakers of lOlb. or 121b. may 

 with some little perseverance, be secured. Many of my friends who 

 have made Oughterard their head quarters in April and May, have 

 spoken well of their success. In such an inland sea as Lough Corrib 

 patient angling must eventuate in great results, and the same thing 

 may be said of all .other large lakes in the island. The high estima- 

 tion in which certain stations are held is often due more to their 

 greater accessibility than their greater deserts. Impatience is one 

 common fault amongst anglers, and a tendency to follow in the 

 beaten track is another ; but I am persuaded that if gentlemen 

 inquired carefully and consulted their travelling maps diligently, they 

 would often obtain far better and cheaper angling than by over- 

 crowding some few spots to the neglect of others as good, if not 

 better. Such at least has been my experience. 



This dreary chapter and this dreary day at Galway are closing 

 together. One has been sufficient, I cannot stand another, and 

 shall to-morrow commence a ramble over some of the private and 

 club waters, of which so many are to be found, in this delicious 

 wilderness of Connemara. 



