220 DAYS AND NIGHTS OF SALMON FISHING 



fectly requires a bright and calm day. You cannot 

 see a fish lying even at a very moderate depth when 

 the surface of the water is ruffled by the wind. As 

 soon as the river is thus fairly in order, take the 

 first good day that occurs ; you may not have many 

 more ; and if you have, you will not mend the 

 matter by waiting too long, as after a continuance 

 of hot weather a green vegetable substance rises 

 from the bottom, which lessens the transparency 

 of the water. 



If you have a man sufficiently clever with the 

 leister, let him stand in the water at the head of the 

 stream whilst you are trying below, that he may 

 strike the fish which endeavour to pass out of it 

 into another cast. If you have no such man, and 

 there are very few who can see a fish pass up a 

 rapid gorge, you may hang a net in the stream ; 

 but you must not bar the river by stretching it 

 quite across, as that is illegal. If you sun a large 

 pool where there is deep water, and various runs 

 and eddies in it, it is advisable to place nets in such 

 situations as are most favourable for fish to strike 

 into when they are disturbed by the boats, and the 

 other means in use for frightening them. The pass 

 being thus in part secured and all prepared, the 

 next thing is to rout about, and endeavour to 

 frighten the fish by every means in your power, so 

 that they may hide themselves under the rocks and 

 stones, or even lay, as they sometimes do, half 

 stupefied beside them, when you may strike them 

 with the leister. To effect this, it is usual to begin 

 by rowing your boat or boats over the pool with 



