no DAYS AND NIGHTS OF SALMON FISHING 



At last we started. We had about two or three 

 miles to go to the upper cast, called the " Carry- 

 wheel." As I neared it, and saw the sweep of the 

 gallant river, I stepped out in eagerness till I came 

 to the top of a steep covered with wood, gorse, and 

 broom ; then I dashed down the rocks, and found 

 myself on the channel, with the rush of a glorious 

 salmon cast before me. Think of this, ye gudgeon 

 fishers ! The rod was put together in haste out 

 came the London book ; and whilst I selected that 

 misnomer a metropolitan salmon fly, a huge fish 

 sprang out of the water before me, bright and lusty. 

 What a challenge ! In my agitation the flies got 

 entangled ; confusion worse confounded beset me. 

 The hooks stuck into my quivering fingers, and then 

 a puff of wind scattered them abroad in various 

 directions. To crown all, Walter kept me in a per- 

 spiration by making, as if he would throw for the 

 fish, which, by anticipation, I considered as my 

 property. At length I collected my senses, and my 

 flies also ; and it is a wonder that I did so, as the 

 said fish continued his gambols, and repeatedly 

 claimed my attention. 



Now then for it. The cast being narrow at the 

 throat, I began with a short line, which I kept 

 lengthening as it got wider ; for so it became me. 

 I came now, step by step, to the spot where I ex- 

 pected to do for the fish. Excited as I was, I flung 

 with spirit ; but the fly alighted not upon the wave ; 

 far from it ; it attached itself most perfectly to a 

 birch-tree in my rear, and crack went my top- 

 varnished Higginbotham. Thus I was at once dis- 



