TREATISE ON FLY-FISHING. J3 



of time occupied in playing the salmon depends 

 somewhat upon the nature of the adjacent banks, 

 and also upon the size and disposition of the fish, 

 some being more lively than others ; and a small 

 fish will frequently afford better sport than one of 

 twice or thrice its weight. 



A gaff, or landing net, is necessary, as no gut 

 will stand the strain of lifting a large fish out of 

 the water. The foregoing remarks will be found 

 applicable to peal fishing, which may be obtained 

 in some of our rivers, and is justly considered 

 very excellent sport. 



To enter more into the detail of this amusement 

 is not my present intention, I must be content with 

 this rough sketch, leaving others to complete the 

 picture. It is proper however to remark, that the 

 flies used in peal fishing are about twice the size 

 of those used for trout : they should be purchased 

 under the advice of an experienced fisherman, as 

 they differ materially from these which are appli- 

 cable to the Irish and other rivers. 



