SCOTTISH SALMON-FISHING 187 



one hundred and fifty yards, when high woods with 

 deep water below cut the angler off from further 

 work on shore. Therefore from the Murthly side the 

 fishing area is short, and a salmon hooked there 

 must either be killed within its limit or a boat 

 procured and the fish followed on the Delvine side 

 until it is exhausted. 



I commenced fishing at the head of the stream, 

 and at the second cast was " in " to what appeared 

 to be a big fish. The river here being narrow and 

 my reel having plenty of line (one hundred and 

 twenty yards), I easily controlled the movements 

 of my quarry for some ten minutes, and then he 

 commenced to " bore " down-stream in a discon- 

 certing manner. He was so strong I could not check 

 him, till at last, when within thirty yards of the 

 wood at the end of the bank, I told Keay to run 

 up-stream as quickly as possible and fetch the boat. 



" A'U no gang unless ye promise no to gang in 

 the river," remarked the cautious Keay. 



" All right," I replied hurriedly, " but for 

 Heaven's sake run ! " 



The old keeper disappeared in a twinkling, and 

 I heard him shouting for my friends, who were 

 some seven hundred yards away. Meanwhile the 

 salmon continued to bore down-stream, taking out 

 every moment more and more line, and forcing me 

 step by step towards the wood. Once its great tail 

 showed, and feeling sure I had hold of a fish of the 

 first quality, I resolved to follow him somehow if 

 the cast would only stand the strain. I do not 

 know how long a time actually elapsed before I 

 found myself hanging on like grim death to the 

 great tree-roots with one hand, whilst with the 



