150 SALMONIA. 



into the Solway Frith. A little preserved 

 stream, at Ardgowan, was formerly excellent, 

 after a flood in September, for sea trout, and 

 later for salmon: I have had good sport there, 

 and some of my friends have had better. 



In Ireland there are some excellent rivers; 

 and, what you will hardly believe possible, 

 comparing the characters of the two nations, 

 some of them are taken better care of than the 

 Scotch rivers ; which arises a good deal from 

 the influence of the Catholic priests, when 

 they are concerned in the interests of the pro- 

 prietors, on the Catholic peasantry, I should 

 place the Erne, at Ballyshannon, as now the 

 first river, for salmon fishing from the banks 

 with a rod, in the British dominions ; and the 

 excellent proprietor of it, Dr. Shiel, is liberal 

 and courteous to all gentlemen fly fishers. 

 The Moy, at Ballina, is likewise an admirable 

 salmon river ; and sport, I believe, may almost 

 always be secured there in every state of the 

 waters ; but the best fishing can only be com- 

 manded by the use of a boat. I have taken in 

 the Erne two or three large salmon in the 

 morning ; and in the Moy, three or four grilses, 



