182 SALMON FISHING 



producing fish, and yield their supply when the 

 lake rivers are beginning to fail. Experts seem 

 undecided as to the causes of this; but apparently 

 the temperature of the water has considerable in- 

 fluence. The quantity of breeding fish in the Sligo 

 is stated to be increasing. Angling for trout is 

 stopped in April and May, during the descent of the 

 salmon fry. There is a migration of smolts all the 

 year; but it is heaviest in April, May, and June. 

 The first grilse is taken in the Sligo about June, 

 and in the Ballysadare in July. Salmon are taken 

 with the grilse in the Sligo in June, and in the 

 Ballysadare in July. The proportion of grilse to 

 salmon in the Sligo is one to three, and in the 

 Ballysadare fifteen to one. There are three distinct 

 runs of fish from the sea in January, and runs in 

 April, May, June, October, and November. 



" St. Patrick's blessing of the stream, as given in 

 Septima Vita, Lib. II. Colgar, Trias., Thaum., p. 

 140, xcviii., may be translated as follows : 



"'Going on his journey by the sea -shore of 

 Northern Connaught, Patrick came to a river called 

 Sligeach [Sligo]. There he wished to refresh his 

 wearied body. He asked the fishermen to spread 

 their nets wherever they pleased, and by aid of their 

 art to provide some fish for a meal, by which he 

 might relieve the present need of his body. They 

 answered that, although it seemed difficult in winter, 

 yet, in return for the favour of having such a guest, 

 they would like to try it. They cast their net and 

 caught a large salmon, which, with great joy, they 



