380 ANGLING. 



" In the parts of the river we had traversed, we found its course 

 very winding and tortuous, and we were very much incommoded 

 by the system of irrigation which is carried on by the sides of the 

 stream. We had to go plunging through pasture -grounds, some- 

 times half -leg deep of mud and water. 



" In the evening, \ve bent our steps towards the village of Crehen, 

 with a view to remain the night, and trv the river the next day. 

 We got rather uncouth, but comfortable lodgings; and by six 

 o'clock in the morning, after a good cup or two of cafe au lalt and 

 eome fresh eggs, we were on the banks of the stream, rod in hand. 

 On leaving the village the stream turns wider, and not so well 

 adapted for fly-fishing. We had throughout the day but very poor 

 success ; not obtaining more, and with great labour and toil in a 

 melting sun, than half the number of fish we had caught the day 

 previous. 



"My next angling tour of any extent took me to the higher 

 parts of the Ranee. I stopped a day at the village of Guenroc, 

 where the river is considerably narrowed, and its banks are very 

 picturesque and beautiful. I had but an indifferent day's sport ; 

 having only taken nine trout, averaging about six inches in length. 

 I saw, however, some very large in a long piece of still water ; and 

 had I been able to obtain worm, I have no doubt but I should have 

 captured some of them. The weather was bright and hot ; and 

 the only place where a fly had a chance of doing anything, was in 

 gurgling streams. 



" A few days after this I was with my rod at La CJieze, and spent 

 two days in wandering on the banks of the Lie. I had now pro- 

 vided myself with some worms, and was fully bent on trying the 

 shade-fishing where it was practicable. I suffered dreadfully, 

 however, from the heat, in making my way through the thickets and 

 brushwood, that skirt the river sides. I succeeded in taking two 

 fine trout about a pound and a half each, and of the richest hues I 

 had ever seen, when they first came out of the water. But in half 

 an hour after they became nearly black. 



" After rambling for nearly fourteen days, and throwing a line, in 

 passing, into several small streams, I arrived at the town of 

 Ommgamp, on the river Trieux, one of the best streams for trout in 

 all Britanny. 1 remained at this place about a Aveek, and had 

 capital sport, all with the fly. I caught nearly four dozen fine trout 

 in as many hours ; and extremely rich fish they were. I dined 

 daily off the fruits of my spoil ; and gave the residue to my land- 

 lady, who received them with many expressions of thankfulness. 



" I preferred the higher parts of the stream to those nearer or 

 about the town. A few miles from it, the river divides into two 

 branches, but they both lead to the Mene range of hills, as their 

 sources. Below the town the bed of the stream gets too broad for 

 angling purposes, although I one day stood upon some stone steps 

 which are placed above a mil I -weir, close to the town, for the 

 purpose of enabling people to pass over to the other side and, 



