282 AN ANGLER'S RAMBLES 



I HAVE been an actor in several lengthy and exciting salmon - 

 runs, but in none that lasted above an hour and a half, not one- 

 third of the time occupied by the struggle above detailed. Even 

 with trout-tackle, and in contests with dour kelts of more than 

 a stone weight, I have managed, without the aid of boat, gaff, or 

 attendant, to bring my fish to grass in the course of less than 

 half an hour. One of the most severe runs I ever recollect 

 meeting with took place below the Thorn-tree Nick on Teviot, 

 in 1856, the subject of it being a newly-run kipper-salmon, which 

 turned the scales at thirty-two pounds. In landing him, I was 

 indebted for assistance to a passer-by armed with a gaff-hook, 

 and no doubt the duration of the run was greatly curtailed by 

 this circumstance, the lower portion of my casting-line being 

 made up of single gut. As it was, it took fully half an hour to 

 master him. This was the largest salmon I ever caught. On 

 the Floors Water, in November 1863, his Grace the Duke of 

 Roxburghe having kindly invited me to enjoy a couple of days' 

 fishing at a period when the river was well-stocked with large 

 fish, I was successful in bringing to bank a splendidly-formed 

 salmon of twenty-eight pounds, and, on the same day, another of 

 twenty-two pounds. Having strong tackle and a trusty rod, 1 

 managed, with the assistance of Mr. Stevenson, his Grace's head 

 fisherman, who handled the punt and landing-net, to compass the 

 capture of the larger fish in less than a quarter of an hour ; but 

 the water being large, he was evidently out of his beat, and in 

 consequence succumbed quicker than a salmon of that size, 

 acquainted with the rocky underlie would have done, for there 

 is no doubt that a thorough knowledge of its position, and every 

 surrounding advantage, operates greatly in increasing the resist- 

 ance, and calling into play the strategic resources of the fish. 

 My second day's sport that year, on the same stretch of river, 

 embraced five salmon, averaging eighteen pounds each. 



Perhaps the most exciting encounter with a large, strong fish, 



