72 



second one, for I must confess that, after I had suc- 

 ceeded in fixing my hooks and sewing up the 

 gudgeon's mouth, it presented anything "but a tempt- 

 ing appearance. I had handled the "baib rather too 

 roughly, and when all was ready for a cast, it was 

 not unlike a "bruised sprat, bristling with hooks, and 

 more likely to deter than to allure. "No pike, how- 

 ever hungry, I felt assured, could behold it without 

 aversion, if not terror, so I took it off again. An 

 old gentleman who came up, and perceived that I 

 was a novice at jack-fishing, invited me to take a 

 seat in his boat, which was then lying just below the 

 Tumbling Bay; and with one of his rods I caught 

 two dozen of roach, whilst we smoked our cigars, 

 and talked of the comparative excellence of Silvas 

 and Woodvilles, of fishing and shooting in the High- 

 lands, and things in general. Next to fly-fishing, I 

 should prefer trolling for jack, but I have never 

 practised the latter branch of angling, and I could 

 scarcely expect much sport in nay first attempt. I 

 did not choose to follow in the wake of either of 

 you, and receive your instructions at the moderate 

 charge of being laughed at. But what success have 

 you two had? 



SIMPSON. I caught three brace and a half of jack, 

 and Fisher three brace, all by trolling ; and this, con 

 sidering that the water is so clear, and has still so 

 many weeds in it, is tolerably good sport for a 

 five hours' bout at the commencement of the season. 

 They were all rather small, under four pounds, 

 except one of those caught by Fisher, which I think 



