THE TORRESDAL AND THE TOPDAL. 23? 



We have then the Torresdal and the Topdal, foiling into 

 the sea near to Christiansand, both of which are in repute 

 amongst salmon fishers. 



" The Torresdal," writes Mr. Henry Newland under date 

 of November, 1839, " is not much smaller than the Gotha, 

 very bright and very rapid, but not a first-rate river for the 

 fisherman ; for from the great falls to the sea it presents one 

 unvarying descent without pools and rapids, a strong and 

 steady stream setting regularly down it. There are three or 

 four flats, where fish rise in from eight, or more, to six feet 

 of water ; and near the falls there is a good deal of likely- 

 looking water, and a few roughs. There are few places 

 where you can fish without a boat, but the falls are so 

 perpendicular, that the fish cannot get above them. It is a 

 late river, and contains a good many fish, but they are small. 

 Large flies of dull colour and little tinsel." 



" The Topdal is a much smaller river than the Torresdal, 

 dark and still. -Fish are to be caught at the mouth, and 

 at the falls three miles up, but nowhere else. This stream 

 does not require a boat, and has but little fishing-ground, but 

 there are more fish in it than in the other river. (Silk flies 

 on C C hooks, or even smaller; bright colours). These fish 

 are very poor eating, whereas the Torresdal fish are the best 

 I have met with. It is an earlier river than the Torresdal, 

 and not so much affected by floods ; but dry weather injures 

 it much." 



The Mandal, which discharges itself into the Cattegat, or 

 rather into the Sleeve, at about thirty miles to the south- 

 west of Christiansand, is also in much repute for the rod. 

 Mr. Newland, when speaking of it, says : 



" It is an earlier river, and I suspect better than those at 



