46 ANGLING EXCURSION. 



more, throughout the whole year, white* salmon are found in 

 high condition ; in Aughniss, from October till April, the fish 

 are red, spent, and worthless. In size, in character, the streams 

 are much alike : they unite in their debouchement in the sea, 

 and flow, but a few miles asunder, through a flat and moory 

 country. That the fish of these sister streams should differ so 

 much is surprising, and can only be attributed to one circum- 

 stance : Aughniss is a union of mountain- streams, Goolamore 

 flows from an extensive lake, and affords an outlet to the 

 waters of Carramore. Judging, therefore, from the constant 

 supply of white fish which Goolamore yields all through the 

 year, one would conclude that the lake offers better food and 

 winterage to the salmon, than the shallower and colder waters 

 of Aughniss. 



Our expectations were fully realized, and we found the pools 

 in excellent order. Independently of a west wind being a 

 favourite point for the angler in these rivers it blows against 

 the current of the stream, and consequently increases the ruffle 

 on the surface of the water, which in salmon fishing is so 

 favourable. My cousin, who is perfectly acquainted with the 

 local haunts of the salmon, placed me where I seldom failed 

 to rise or hook a fish. What splendid angling this wild 

 country offers ! It spoils one in after-life, however. The 

 man who has held a salmon on his line disrelishes the inferior 

 amusements of the craft; the fox-hunter will seldom con- 

 descend to ride to beagles ; the deer- stalker will not waste 

 time and powder in a rabbit-warren ; and the disciple of Izaac, 

 who has once indulged in the exquisite delight of salmon 

 fishing, will feel little satisfaction in the commoner pursuits 

 and lesser pleasures of the gentle art. 



We landed five salmon, besides taking a pannier full of 

 sea-trouts. Had I been an adept, or better appointed than 

 I was, we might have killed double the number of salmon. 

 My flies were unluckily tied on London hooks, and from 

 their defective quality and formation several fish escaped 

 me. Repeated failures caused me to examine the hooks, 



* By the simple appellation of white and red fish, the peasantry dis- 

 tinguish salmon when in and out of season. Indeed, the colour is such 

 a perfect indicative of health and disease, that any person who has fre- 

 quented a salmon river will, on seeing a fish rise, be enabled to tell with 

 tecuracy the state of his condition. 



