n8 DAYS AND NIGHTS OF SALMON FISHING 



continue to enjoy the water, if it so pleases you. 

 If you go in far enough to throw over the cast, that 

 is sufficient ; for, remember, it is not good to have 

 a very long line when a short one will answer your 

 purpose. You will not strike your fish so soon, and 

 a sudden run of his might place you in an awkward 

 predicament when your progress is impeded by 

 wading. 



It is really refreshing, and does one's heart good, 

 to see how some that are green in the sport will, in 

 the language of stag hunting, " take to soil/' I 

 heard of a very fat man from the precincts of Cheap- 

 side, who was encountered in the river Shiel, in 

 Inverness-shire, by two gentlemen merrier ones 

 than whom " I never passed an hour's talk withal." 

 The corpulent man looked at the water for some 

 time like a child that is going into a cold bath, and 

 does not half like it ; he then broke forth in the 

 following guise : 



" I am convinced, gentlemen, that your waders 

 catch most fish. I say, gentlemen, that those who 

 wade are the most successful." His opinion being 

 greatly encouraged, he put forth one foot in the 

 pool ; and not finding the sensation very alarming, 

 for the weather was warm, he walked soberly for- 

 ward, saying at every step, " Ay, ay, your waders 

 catch the most fish." Now the rock shelving down 

 near the bank, in progressing he was soon up to his 

 hips 



" Tendebatque manus ripae ulterioris amore " ; 



but he could not reach the desired spot even then. 



