FISHING AS A SPORT 



some Irish rivers in which ten pounds is a good weight 

 for the adult fish ; there are others, the Shannon, the 

 Suir, and the Blackwater, for example, where even grilse 

 attain that size. The weight of the fish depends mainly 

 on the length of time that he is content to remain in the 

 sea, and on the sort of food in which he indulges while 

 there. Undoubtedly he has spells of greediness come 

 over him from time to time, but he does not always 

 choose the most "frame-forming" food. The stomachs 

 of those taken from the sea are often found to contain 

 eels and other fish, though those of fresh-water salmon 

 rarely show anything but digested food, which seems to 

 point to the fact that, while in the rivers, they eat more 

 sparingly and at more lengthy intervals. 



Now let us suppose that a salmon has taken the bait, 

 for, if bent on it, he will assuredly have it sooner or 

 later. Unlike most river fish, he will rise over and over 

 again to the same fly, seldom leaving it till he has taken 

 it ; but, if he should happen to be only partially hooked, 

 the angler may as well say good-bye to him, as he will 

 scarcely be likely to venture near the bait a second time. 

 As soon as he is fairly hooked, the difference between 

 the experienced hand and the learner shows itself very 

 markedly ; the former keeps cool and watches his oppor- 

 tunities, the latter will probably lose his head ; though 

 this unfortunate condition is not confined to the be- 

 ginner, for some tried and mighty fishers will confess to 

 experiencing a sudden fit of "nerves" whenever they 

 hook a fish of any size. 



As soon as the fish has taken the fly the angler's first 



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