HATJNTS AND HABITS OF SALMON. 105 



much, time and have poor sport unless he obtains the services 

 of a local fisherman, or gillie, to show him the pools (termed 

 " casts," or " catches ") in which salmon rise, and the best way 

 of fishing them. Many pools contain rising fish only when 

 the water is at a certain height — which height local anglers 

 know well. In a flood or spate, when the fish are running 

 up stream, a salmon may be looked for behind any rock, and 

 local experience is then not so valuable. In large, slow-flowing 

 rivers, such as the Shannon above Portumna, salmon are 

 caught on the fords — i.e., short pieces of the river where the 

 water shallows somewhat — and in only a few feet in depth 

 — spots which would be called " hills " on the Thames, The 

 habits of salmon vary much in different rivers. In one stream 

 they will rise in pools close to the sea ; in another, not until 

 they have put fifty miles between themselves and the sea-coast. 

 In one river the fishing may be only good in the spring; in 

 another, not until July. Therefore, before renting or visiting 

 a river, make yourself thoroughly acquainted with its character- 

 istics, or you may be greatly disappointed, and may consider 

 perhaps with justice, that you have been swindled. In lakes, 

 salmon will be found more particularly off rocky or other pro- 

 jecting points, where the water is fairly deep. A narrow gut 

 between two lakes, where there is a gentle stream, is nearly 

 always a favourite spot. 



In the spring, the kelts (there is an explanation of names 

 on page 6) are often a great nuisance, as they take the fly, 

 or any bait, far more eagerly than the clean fish. In the 

 summer months, unless the weather is very wet, the fishing 

 is usually at its worst, and is at its best in the autumn, after 

 the netting has stopped in the estuaries. In genial weather, 

 the fish rise best in the morning and evening, and worst in 

 the afternoon. Just after sundown is always a likely time. In 

 cold weather, the fishing is best after mid-day. Fresh-run fish 

 may be known by their silvery appearance and the presence 

 of sea-lice. They take the fly, or bait, more eagerly than those 

 that have been some time in the river. In the autumn, blotches 

 of red and black spots appear on the male fish, which are 

 then called red fish. By the way, when you hear a Scotchman 



