SALMON-FRY. 879 



eels are used as baits; a line is attached to a buoy or 

 bladder, and allowed to float with the tide up the narrow 

 estuaries. They are also said to be occasionally taken at 

 the lines set for haddocks, baited with sand-eels. At the 

 mouths of rivers they rise freely at the artificial fly, within 

 fifty yards of the sea. 



SALMON-FRY. 



In the end of April, or beginning of May, the salmon- 

 smolts descend the rivers into the sea, at which time excellent 

 angling with the artificial fly may be enjoyed, when the day is 

 favourable. They return again about the end of June, by which 

 time they have acquired the weight of two or three pounds. 

 It has always been the .opinion of fishermen, that all the 

 young fish, after their first visit to the sea, return to the 

 rivers in which they were bred. This has been ascertained 

 by experiment. A number of young fish have been taken, 

 marked, and replaced in their respective rivers ; and these 

 have again been retaken. But that some of them do not 

 return to the rivers in which they were bred is equally cer- 

 tain. Experienced fishers know well the fish of the various 

 rivers w^hich they have been accustomed to see, and, from 

 what cause it is not known, many Tweed salmon have been 

 taken in the Forth, opposite Hopetown-house, and other 

 neighbouring parts. Probably they may have been chased 

 by porpoises, and other marine enemies. 



The flies used for salmon-fry must not be too gaudy ; and 

 sometimes the black or small red-fly, proves successful. They 

 will take a small worm in March and April, if the weather be 

 thick ; and they are also caught with gentles. The rod 

 should be fine, and the line scarcely exceeding the rod in 

 length, and the lower link of single hairs ; the flies must be 

 very small, and three or four may be used, fixed at about a 



