A LUCZY EASTER SOLID AT. 157 



at this height of water, and we wondered, in the event of 

 landing a fish, how to get him across the stream. 



The casting, even from the island, was far from 

 easy, as, in most parts, the stream was too deep to 

 wade, and where this was practicable the bottom was 

 abominably rough and the high banks covered with 

 overgrown whins, with an alder tree introduced here 

 and there, just to break the monotony of casting. 



The saving clause was the width of the stream, 

 which could be commanded by a medium length 

 of cast, and ran swiftly to a depth of from six to 

 nine feet over a rocky bed studded here and there 

 with rough boulders, affording shelters for the fish. 



Such a combination as this was certain to be selected 

 by salmon as a residence after having ascended the 

 swift run below ; and such it was known to be as regards 

 spring fish — yet, curiously enough, was not a favourite 

 with anglers, probably on account of the natural diffi- 

 culties it presented, or may be the impossibility of casting 

 a long line, which appears to deprive many of a certain 

 satisfaction. 



A spin of the coin ordered us off to the island, whilst 

 our friend commenced fishing the pool below, a light 

 breeze having sprung up to clear off the morning mist, 

 for the night had been sharpened by frost. 



We waded in as best we could above the two big alder 

 trees, and began casting down until opposite to them j 

 then were obliged to resort to switching, and the wading 

 was so rough that at any moment one might have been 



