SALMON FISHING. 95 



always nearly square, and ultimately convex ; and 

 (2) by the scales, which in the grilse come off 

 even with the slight pressure of the hand. Fresh- 

 run Salmon i.e., Salmon just fresh from the 

 sea carry on their bodies the parasites com- 

 monly called "tide lice," these drop off after a 

 few hours' contact with the fresh water, but the 

 marks, something like miniature leech-bites, re- 

 main for a day or two. The longer the Salmon 

 remains in fresh water the less brilliant becomes 

 its colour. 



FLY-FISHING. 



Although, in common with many Trout-fishers 

 who are also Salmon-fishers, I prefer good Trout- 

 fishing to any other sport with the rod, it must 

 be admitted that there are points in which 

 Salmon-fishing carries off the palm and carries 

 it off too not only from Trout-fishing, but from 

 every other sport which these islands afford. 

 Perhaps I could not with truth say that I prefer 

 fishing to shooting, or shooting to hunting ; they 

 are a glorious trio, to each of whom in turn I 

 have sworn allegiance ; and if like Paris I had a 

 golden apple to bestow, it should be given to 

 Fishing only because she has been in a special 



G 



