130 DAYS AND NIGHTS OF SALMON FISHING. 



sionally behind me before my throw, where the banks 

 are steep and near ; thirdly, to try the strength of my 

 hook before I use it, not after; and, fourthly, to get into 

 shoes of a proper consistency, and well studded with 

 nails of Brobdignag dimensions. Take warning, gentle 

 readers, from these disasters, which are recounted for 

 your benefit and instruction. 



The day following I was more successful ; for I shot 

 twelve brace of partridges, and killed seven salmon in 

 the evening. This I thought good sport, as partridges 

 are scarce by the river side. 



I rented various houses and large fisheries on Tweed 

 side for about twenty years after this, remaining there 

 not only during the summer months, but sometimes all 

 the year round except close time; so that my experience 

 reaches to all the methods of catching salmon during 

 the legal time of the year. I shall now proceed to give 

 as good an idea as I can of the sort of thing to be ex- 

 pected by those who are inclined to follow the same 

 amusement, together with such instructions as I would 

 fain hope may increase their success. And, first, for 

 wading. 



Wading in the water is not only an agreeable thing 

 in itself, but absolutely necessary in some rivers in the 

 North that are destitute of boats ; and that you may do 

 this in the best possible style, procure half a dozen pair 

 of shoes, with large knob-nails at some distance asunder: 

 if they are too close, they will bring your foot to an 

 even surface, and it will glide off a stone or rock, which 

 in deep water may be inconvenient. Cut some holes in 

 the upper-leathers of your shoes, to give the water a free 



