THE ANGLER'S SOUVENIR. 



s 



and the process of digestion is commenced, it is to 

 be fixed, for the second and last time, by a "gentle 

 twitch.' 



The steadiness and self-possession required to 

 manage a salmon after he is hooked ; the peculiar 

 tact with which the angler now yields to the rush 

 of the fish, now holds hard when he appears to be 

 growing weak, are only to be acquired by practice, 

 as they can no more be taught by mere precept 

 than the art of dancing on the tight-rope. To tell 

 a novice to be steady when he has hooked a salmon 

 for the first time now to give him line, now to 

 hold him in is like telling a young ensign, who 

 has never smelt powder but on field-days, to be 

 cool and collected in his first battle ; or a cockney 

 not to be frightened when first a covey of par- 

 tridges starts up before him, within ten yards of 

 his nose. Favour us, gentle reader, with your 

 patience for five minutes, while we attempt to 

 give a sketch of salmon-fishing which will embody 

 all the practical information on the subject of 

 catching a salmon which we can convey ; and to 

 secure your attention the better, you shall be the 

 hero of the tale. 



You are staying at an inn, or at a friend's house, 

 on the banks of some river say the Tweed, the 

 Tyne, the Spey, or the Costello for the sake of 

 salmon-fishing. There has been a soaking rain of 

 eight hours' duration on the Tuesday, which has 

 brought the salmon up, and at six o'clock on 



