46 THE SCOTTISH ANGLER. 



the waters are then clear and covered -with food ; the 

 fish lazy, and the angler tormented by multitudes of 

 gad-flies and other insects. Par, however, and small 

 trout, may be captured in great quantities, especially in 

 the mornings and evenings ; nor are the brandling and 

 other worms rejected by the larger sort offish; white 

 maggots also are esteemed at this time. In the High- 

 land districts of Scotland, however, the angling is now 

 at its prime, especially among such streams as are fre- 

 quented by the sea trout. Slight floods of course are 

 necessary to insure good sport. If rainy, September 

 and October vie with the spring months for the heart 

 of the angler. Salmon are now ascending our Low- 

 land rivers, and seize eagerly at the fly ; common trout 

 become more active, and move about in quest of roe, 

 with which they may be destroyed in huge numbers. 



SOXG THE TAKING OF THE SALMON. 



A birr ! a whirr ! a salmon's on, 



A goodly fish ! a thumper ! 

 Bring up, bring up the ready gaff, 

 And if we land him, we shall quaff 

 Another glorious bumper ! 

 Hark ! 'tis the music of the reel, 



The strong, the quick, the steady ; 

 The line darts from the active wheel- 

 Have all things right and ready. 



A birr ! a whirr ! the salmon's out, 



Far on the rushing river ; 

 Onward he holds with sudden leap, 

 Or plunges through the whirlpool deep, 

 A desperate endeavour ! 

 Hark to the music of the reel ! 

 The fitful and the grating : 

 It pants along the breathless wheel, 

 Now hurried now abating* 



