COZENING A POLLACK. 77 



coalfisli I put fly fishing first, for though the largest takes 

 are not, as a rule, made in that way, still the sport obtained 

 is very superior, and the angler has to exercise some skill 

 prior to hooking the fish, instead of being merely rowed about 

 holding a rod or line, and waiting for the fish to hook 

 themselves. Fly rod, line, and casts I have already described 

 {see Chapter Y.), and I need only here say as to the former, 

 that it must be stifl: and strong, and that both line and cast 

 must be capable of holding a 121b. fish in his first attempt to 

 run out line. That pollack must be held is a maxim which the 

 sea angler cannot learn too soon; there is little or no playing 

 them. Give a pollack line, and down he goes straight to 

 his lair among rocks and seaweed, and, once there, you may 

 bid him, and a portion of your tackle, farewell, at least for 

 that day. It is the rarest thing possible to get a pollack 

 out of his stronghold, unless the water is so shallow that 

 the fish can be reached with an oar. I only once remember 

 getting a large one out of the seaweed in deep water, and, 

 for the benefit of other anglers who may be some time or 

 another similarly situated, will relate how it happened. We — 

 I had a friend with me — had been spinning, or rather trailing, 

 on the North-west coast of Scotland, not far from Cape Wrath. 

 Five or six fish, varying from 31b. to 101b. in weight, had been 

 brought on board, when my friend suddenly had his rod dragged 

 almost out of his hand, and, before he could recover himself, 

 the fish was at the bottom, fast and firm as if moored there. 

 It was clearly a big fish, so we tried all we knew to get 

 him; but the sweeps were not long enough to reach to the 

 bottom, and rowing the boat round the spot, so as to pull 

 the line from various directions, which is sometimes successful, 

 was of no avail. Finally I bethought me of a plan which is 

 tried in the Galway river when salmon make for the arch 

 of the bridge — a proceeding which usually ends in their 

 breaking the tackle. Having made the boatman understand 

 that I wanted the boat placed right over the fish — a difficult 

 matter, as he understood very few words of English — I 

 asked my friend to lay down his rod, took the line in my 

 right hand, and pulled as hard as I dared. At the same 



