SALMON FISHING WITH THE FLY. 185 



The climate of Ireland is milder than that of any other part 

 of the United Kingdom. The temperature of the water is con- 

 sequently much higher than in either England or Scotland, 

 and many newly run salmon will be found in early spring in 

 the upper waters of Irish rivers where obstructions exist. The 

 majority of them, however, seem to object to face an obstruc- 

 tion until about the month of April, when the weather gets 

 warmer. 



A lake is a great attraction to a salmon. If there is no 

 obstruction between lake and sea, a spring salmon will, on 

 leaving the salt water, make straight for the lake without halt- 

 ing. This is particularly the case in Irish rivers, where the tem- 

 perature of the water is generally high for the time of year. 



Autumn salmon are different in their habits from spring and 

 summer fish. For some unknown reason they remain in the 

 sea until they are full of spawn, and then, not being able, on 

 that account, to surmount the difficulties which a spring or 

 summer salmon is capable of, are seldom found above a certain 

 distance from the sea. Their journey up is also a very slow 

 one, and I have always noticed this peculiarity in the habits of 

 an autumn salmon. 



In many of our rivers the heaviest salmon of the season, 

 in splendid condition and in appearance like spring salmon, 

 run during the winter months. The run commences in the 

 autumn, when now and then one is caught, but the great run 

 takes place in December, and I often think it is a pity we are 

 prohibited by law from fishing for them. 1 



that the fish in the Garry come from the east and not the west coast (which ia 

 close by), and come all the way up the river Ness and through loch Ness, 

 double the distance to the Garry, and whilst they are being caught there in 

 numbers, not a fish could be seen or caught on the Ness. In July and autumn 

 when sport is fast and furious in the rivers Lochy and Ness, not a fish is to be. 

 seen in the Garry. BEAUFORT. (Note to earlier editions.) 



1 This is peculiarly the case in the Wye. Up near Builth in December, 

 beautiful fish called Blue Cocks appear. The Wye Fishing Board, of which I 

 am Chairman, gave permission a few years ago to the Honourable Major 

 Geoffrey Hill to catch some of these for scientific purposes. As yet he has not 

 succeeded in doing so. BEAUFORT. (Note to earlier editions.) 



