SCOTTISH SALMON-FISHING 181 



halfway across the river and out of the water in 

 a great spasmodic effort. 



" The Calf, by all that is wonderful ! " we all 

 exclaimed, as the great body hurled itself into view. 



" Age doth not wither nor custom stale " the 

 minds of anglers when they see a really big fish 

 hooked. For years their imagination has pic- 

 tured just this one moment, so we may be for- 

 given if the actors in this exciting drama were all 

 suddenly changed from phlegmatic humans wanting 

 their lunch to crazy enthusiasts tearing at the oars 

 to follow the retreating monster, and praying that 

 the hook " had a good hud." The boat fairly leapt 

 across the river, until the line seemed quite short. 

 It was, however, only a momentary pause, for 

 away the fish went up-stream, making the line hiss 

 on the sleeping current. Backwards and forwards 

 he fought for a full quarter of an hour, and then 

 came to the usual " sulks." Stones dropped about 

 him at last aroused him to action, rather too furious 

 to be pleasant at first, and then more sulking 

 amongst big rocks in the centre of the river. This 

 time it took quite a long time to move him, as I 

 dared not be too hard, since only a single gut cast 

 and a grilse-sized " Jock Scott " had to bear the 

 strain. But he moved out, and the usual tiring-out 

 process began. Yet so heavy was the fish that 

 we simply had to follow where he wished, and, as 

 he kept boring across the river, once more we let 

 him go, till I had him in quite still water opposite 

 the fisherman's house. Here he gave endless 

 trouble, and I began to fear that with such repeated 

 turns and twists the head of the fly might become 

 worn out and part. He absolutely refused to come 



