164 DAYS AND NIGHTS OF SALMON FISHING. 



but simply because the salmon did not lie in their 

 usual seats. 



A word or two I will now say about the management 

 of the cleik, which, although it seems simple enough, 

 requires some address. Take care, most worthy attend- 

 ant — for it is to you I speak — that in the effervescence 

 of your zeal you steer clear of the line, and that after 

 you have struck the fish you tow him steadily to the 

 shore; and I beg, sir, to caution you, and just merely 

 to hint, that if you attempt one of your nourishes, and 

 try to do all at one rapid jerk, you will have decidedly 

 the worst of it. There must be two motions, — a strike, 

 and a haul. 



By way of illustration, I must tell you of a gentleman 

 who came to visit me whilst I lived on the banks of 

 the Tay, and was desirous of seeing a salmon caught 

 before he returned to the South ; so I launched my 

 boat and set to work. Now on these pressing occasions 

 one has commonly a blank day, instead of a show off: 

 not so, however, in the present instance, for in a short 

 time I killed six fish. When I had subdued their 

 strength, I gave up the rod to my companion, who 

 finished them skilfully enough. These fish were from 

 seven to twelve pounds each, as well as I can recollect. 

 I next hooked a large and peremptory salmon; and 

 when he got weak I could not land, on account of the 

 alders which grew on the margin of the river. 



" Give me the cleik," said my confident friend ; " let me 

 come at him. I should like to try my hand at that, as 

 well as at the rod, though it is a savage affair. Do you 

 think I can manage it ? " " I have no doubt of it," said I, 



