SIZE OF FISH. 55 



are more numerous ! and that in fact a large fish 

 is quite as willing to do so as a smaller one of 

 10 or 121bs. There is a marked difference 

 between salmon and trout in this respect ; for 

 very large trout will (it might be said) never rise 

 at the fly ; and middling-sized, i. e. of 2 to 4lbs., 

 seldom, in proportion with those of about three- 

 quarters of a pound. As to rod-fishing in Nor- 

 way, I learn from a source beyond doubt, that a 

 most noted angler from these realms, and two 

 friends, were out three successive days, last year, 

 and during that period took no less, between them, 

 than one hundred and eleven salmon, averaging 

 12 or 14lbs. ; some of 35lbs., and one of 40lbs. ; 

 but I do not remember whether all were caught 

 with the fly, or some by spinning. The same 

 eminent " artist" has also taken twenty in a day 

 in that part of the world, and assured me that 

 while playing and killing one fish, ten others 

 might have been hooked so numerous and raven- 

 ous were they. Tom once hooked another fine 

 fish, near this very spot, by a similar chance. 

 His line got round one of the piles, so numerous 

 along the banks here; at the moment he was 

 stooping to clear it with his hands, up came a 

 salmon at his fly, which floated below him ; he 

 struck with the line in his hand ; slackened ; 

 seized his rod, and at length fortunately killed 

 him 23lbs. This, as the first resting-place 



