170 DAYS AND NIGHTS OF SALMON FISHING 



instance, now," said I, " there is a sea trout in that 

 run of water that will make your heart dance, if 

 you should happen to hook him ; I saw him put his 

 head up at the cheek of the current, and he had a 

 wilful look, and is likely to make most pernicious 

 runs when hooked ; for these sort of fish are very 

 active and strong. If you will give me leave, I will 

 change your trout fly for a larger one, and instruct 

 you how to proceed, as from the nature of your 

 tackle I conclude you are not accustomed to fish of 

 this description. There now go a little higher up 

 the stream ; throw above him, and bring the fly 

 gently round ; and if he comes at it, do not strike 

 him too hard, or you will break your slender tackle. 

 If you get hold of him, we shall see how he is to be 

 managed ; he will put your tranquillity to the test, 

 I promise you/' 



He grasped the rod, and held it aloft ; then, after 

 a considerable pause, "He is exactly in the right 

 spot/' said he. " Precisely/' I replied. 



" What a rich red tone of colour he has how well 

 it tells in the shadow ! He will come in capitally." 



" He is not red, I assure you, but clear as silver, 

 and I wish he may come in capitally." 



" Bless me ! he looks red to me, and I must take 

 him immediately ; he is exactly the thing I wanted." 



So saying, to my amazement, he dropped the rod, 

 and pulled out a sketch book, in which he began 

 painting a red cow in water colours that was re- 

 posing under a hawthorn bush on the opposite bank, 

 just beyond the stream where the fish was lying, 

 and which had been the real object of his remarks. 



