FLY FISHING. 43 



record among the inhabitants of the lower part of the 

 Tummel, with respect to the capture of a huge salmon 

 with the rod. The time occupied was so great, that 

 we shall not forfeit our title to veracity by mentioning 

 it, but leave the curious reader to inquire for himself. 

 We remember also another instance of this kind, which 

 we had from good authority in the south of Scotland, 

 how a salmon, hooked by the side-fin below Elibank 

 wood on the Tweed, took the angler down to Yair 

 bridge, a distance of several miles, and at length made 

 its escape with his tackle, after several hours' play. 

 Even when hooked by the mouth, the salmon is no 

 contemptible animal to deal with. We ourselves were 

 compelled to work one for some hours in St Mary's 

 Loch, on a common trouting fly, and at length secured 

 him, before he was nearly exhausted, by enclosing him 

 in a small bay, and then preventing his escape from be- 

 hind. 



So much for the strength of this fish, and yet, 

 strange to say, with such small means may its prodi- 

 gious power be kept under by eminent anglers, that a 

 single horse- hair has been known to master a full-grown 

 salmon. The feat of capturing one with such slender 

 tackle was, we believe, some time ago performed by 

 the Reverend Mr Paterson, lately clergyman at Gala- 

 shiels, now in Glasgow. 



In angling with the fly, whether for trout or salmon, 

 it will be remarked, how, at certain times, they will 

 rise in great numbers towards your hook, without your 

 being able to secure a single fish. This is owing some- 

 times to their state of repletion, and sometimes to the 

 colour of the water or the quality of the atmosphere. 

 On these occasions, it is truly tantalising to behold the 

 most desirable fish mocking your fly with repeated 

 plunges, seemingly aware of your presence, and defying 



