SALMON. 



and Geese are sometimes used instead of Trimmers, the line 

 is tied round the body and a strong hook and large bait is 

 used. All these ways, however, are unworthy of the true 

 Angler, who exercises his skill for amusement, and should 

 only use the rod and line. 



CHAPTER II. 



SALMON. 



E Fish that stands highest in the estimation of the 

 true Angler is the Salmon. His rapid yet graceful 

 motions, muscular powers, and beautiful proportions, 



as much as the superior delicacy of his flavour as an 



edible, proclaim him the noblest of the denizens of the river ; 

 and his title to precedence has never yet been questioned. 

 His natural history has been already so well described in 

 Ephemera's " Book of the Salmon," that for full particulars 

 of this interesting subject I cannot do better than refer my 

 readers to that work, as well as to the occasional notices in the 

 columns of the " Field." Salmon spawn between September 

 and February, on shallows and fords ; the combined influence 

 of running water and of solar and atmospheric action being 

 necessary to vivify the ova impregnated by the milt. The 

 actual operation occupies from two to ten days according to 

 the size of the Fish ; and the actual date of deposit varies in 

 different rivers. The Spawning completed, the parent fish 

 drop down to the nearest deep pool till they recover suffi- 

 ciently to commence their voyage to the Sea, returning to 

 their native river in from two to three months; some entering 

 the rivers on their return, as early as February. 



