ITS PRACTICE ON THE RIVER TWEED. 249 



occasions of great success, induces disgust and satiety 

 rather than satisfaction or triumph. 



For my own part, I would rather capture in spring a 

 single newly-run salmon than a whole boat-load of kelts 

 Yet these, and no others are the fish frequently boasted 

 of, as affording, under the name of salmon, amusement 

 to some brainless scion of nobility some adept by pur- 

 chase, not skill, in the art of angling. For, let me ask, 

 what all the science displayed by this sort of salmon- 

 slayer consists of ? Is he versed in the mysteries of rod 

 and tackle, taught by experience what fly to select, 

 when, where, or how to fish ? Is this amount of know- 

 ledge at all necessary ? Nothing of the kind. The 

 performer has no will or say in the matter. In every 

 act, in the choice of his fly and casting line, in the 

 position and management of the boat, he is under con- 

 trol of the tacksman. By him he is directed where to 

 heave his hook, and, if a novice, how. Nothing is left 

 to his own fancy or discretion. He has forfeited all 

 freedom of action. Nay, more, he is fettered with the 

 presence of his griping task-master. Enough it is that 

 he pays, and that handsomely, for the sport, so termed, 

 of hauling within reach of the gaff-hook a miserable 

 kelt or two, which, when secured, he sees no more of, 

 and is unable, unless by purchasing it, to exhibit to his 

 friends as a trophy of his prowess enough, methinks, 

 this measure of endurance, without adding to it the 

 annoyance in question. 



Angling and butchering fish I consider as two totally 

 different occupations. The true angler I would describe 

 to be one who follows the art as a science, who cultivates 

 it, not by usurping the experience of others, not by 

 becoming the mere slave to precept, but by fond and 

 zealous assiduity in the practice of its various depart- 



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