Trout Fishing in Wicklow 175 



the " Dove " flies. His gratitude took a 

 practical turn, for he offered to show me 

 the lie of a very large and heavy fish; he 

 assured me it was fully three pounds. He 

 had risen it a few days previously, but had 

 not touched it. 



The event of the day and of many fishing 

 seasons was near at hand. We had pro- 

 ceeded about a quarter of a mile down stream 

 when we came to a lovely pool with a small 

 feeding stream on the opposite side just above 

 some alders. The run of the stream was 

 under the opposite bank, and about fifteen 

 yards down from the alders the bank curved 

 out, and was overhung by a large willow. 

 The monster was supposed to lie just above 

 the projecting bank. Carefully I overhauled 

 my cast and put up a couple of new flies, for 

 the lead (or point) and middle flies had done 

 yeoman's service and were somewhat frayed. 

 Getting the right length of line out, I began 



