76 WILD SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



CHAPTER XII. 



IN a country whose surface is covered with numerous 

 and extensive sheets of water like Mayo, it may be 

 considered that the angler will find ample occupation. 

 Independently of salmon and trout fishing, to those 

 who will employ themselves in killing pike and perch, 

 the lakes and rivers here offer superior amusement. 

 In the greater waters, Lough Mask, Lough Carra, and 

 Lough Conn, the coarser species of fishes are taken in 

 immense numbers, and in the lesser lakes many interest- 

 ing varieties of the trout tribe will be found, from the 

 little speckled samlet to the large and curious gillaroo. 

 The natural history of the samlet, or par, is very doubtful. 

 Some assert it to be a mule produced by the salmon 

 and trout. Others conjecture it to be a hybrid of the 

 sea and river trout. 



The par differs from the small mountain trout in 

 colour, and in having additional spines in the pectoral 

 fin. It has also certain olive bluish marks upon the side, 

 similar to the impressions made by the pressure of a 

 man's fingers. 



Pennant says : " In all these lakes the gillaroo is 

 found. It varies in weight from twelve to eighteen 

 pounds, but sometimes reaches thirty ; " and Daniel 

 states these fish to be " esteemed for their fine flavour, 

 which is supposed to exceed that of any other trout. 

 Their make is similar to the common, except being 

 thicker in proportion to their length, and of a redder 

 hue, both before and after being dressed. The gillaroo 



