THE SEWIN. . 19 



back to the lateral line, beneath which the whole 

 fish is of the brightest silver. Both on the back 

 and sides, above and below the lateral line, the body 

 is marked with dusky purple spots of a roundish 

 shape, which, on close inspection, appear to be 

 somewhat cruciform. The tail is slightly forked, 

 but not semilunated as in the common salmon. 

 When the fish is cut, it is of a pale red. In point 

 of size, the sewin rarely exceeds eighteen inches, 

 weighing from one to three pounds. They are, 

 however, occasionally taken much larger in the 

 Ogmore (Glamorganshire), the Cleddy, the Teivi, 

 the upper part of the Neath river, and in the Towy. 

 The Sewin, which is almost peculiar to Wales, is 

 found in the greatest abundance in the southern 

 parts. The best season for them is after the heavy 

 floods in August, at which period they ascend the 

 rivers from the sea, and continue to do so during 

 the two succeeding months. They are found in the 

 same places as the trout, but rise more freely; 

 early in the morning, and about sunset, or in warm 

 misty rain, are the most probable times for raising 

 them. There are many gaudy flies sold for sewin 

 fishing, but we find the two following sufficiently 

 successful, and therefore never use any other: 

 When the water is clearing, or full, throw the red 

 fly (p. 49.) as a stretcher. Make it on a good hook 

 of No. 5., large in proportion, but do not put too 

 much hackle, and let the silver thread be seen. 

 The dropper is made with a light blue hen or cock's 

 hackle (if reddish or coppery at the edges the 

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