132 DAYS AND NIGHTS OF SALMON FISHING. 



tinue to enjoy the water, if it so pleases you. If you 

 go in far enough to throw over the cast, that is suffi- 

 cient ; for, remember, it is not good to have a very long 

 line when a short one will answer your purpose. You 

 will not strike your fish so soon, and a sudden run of 

 his might place you in an awkward predicament when 

 your progress is impeded by wading. 



It is really refreshing, and does one's heart good, to 

 see how some that are green in the sport will, in the 

 language of stag hunting, " take to soil." I heard of a 

 very fat man from the precincts of Cheapside, who was 

 encountered in the river Shiel, in Inverness-shire, by 

 two gentlemen, — merrier ones than whom " I never 

 passed an hour's talk withal." The corpulent man 

 looked at the water for some time like a child that is 

 going into a cold bath, and does not half like it ; he 

 then broke forth in the following guise : — 



" I am convinced, gentlemen, that your waders catch 

 most fish. I say, gentlemen, that those who wade are the 

 most successful." His opinion being greatly encouraged, 

 he put forth one foot in the pool ; and not finding the 

 sensation very alarming, for the weather was warm, he 

 walked soberly forward, saying at every step, "Ay, ay, 

 — your waders catch the most fish." Now the rock 

 shelving down near the bank, in progressing he was 

 soon up to the hips — 



" Tenclebatque manus ripse ulterioris amore ; " 

 but he could not reach the desired spot even the n 

 In this dilemma he looked wistfully at the shore for 

 advice. " How deep should I go ? " said the enter- 

 prising man. One said to the fifth button of your waist- 



