256 THE COUNTRY CLERGYMAN. 



* and sea trout of all sizes, jumping as high as if 

 ' they had to scale a cataract, close to the boat. One 

 ' which had jumped too far, was caught on the 

 ' rocks by two of my boys, whom I had left on the 



* beach. As to the result, I began by losing two flies, 

 ' taken at the same moment by two fish. After many 



* rises, I hooked one, which though only a grilse of 

 ' five pounds, and though my tackle was strong, 

 ' took a long time to kill in the deep water. In 

 ' fact, by the time I had him in the boat, the tide 

 c had turned, and the spell was nearly broken, for I 

 4 only got a rise or two afterwards. * For about an 



* hour, I should say, that the spot in question was 

 ' the finest angling quarter I ever saw. The wea- 

 ' ther was perfect, alternately bright and cloudy, 

 ' and a breeze from the south west. The weather 



* yesterday was apparently equally favourable, and 

 ' I found it so in the fresh water ; but visiting the 



* same place, I saw few fish jump, and not one 

 ' came near my fly. I should remark that the 

 ' wind had increased to a stiff breeze from the north 

 west, which was exactly in the direction of the 



' It is supposed that the first taste of the admixture of fresh 

 ' water gives the fish a ravenous appetite for the fly, which occa- 

 ' sions their extraordinary jumping and easy capture. At the spot 

 ' referred to, the admixture of fresh water would hardly be per- 

 ' ceptible to our taste at half tide, as the stream is inconsiderable, 

 ' and the sea covers, at that time of tide, many hundred acres. 

 ' The fish certainly forbear from their gambols at high and low 

 ' water, and during the flow.' 



