FIRST BLOOD AT SALMON-FISHING. 27 



sombre turn, and far from rash or ready in his 

 approval. I may mention that this, my favourite 

 rod, is only seventeen feet long, the butt very light, 

 being of seasoned fir, the middle piece hickory, and 

 the top lancewood, tipped with horn. With this 

 weapon I had pumped the monsters of Tay and 

 Tweed, and consequently thought it sufficient for 

 anything I might meet here. All is ready to the 

 strong tapered cast. 



"Now, Archie,""! said, "look at my flies, and see 

 if we can pick a killer." 



After deliberately inspecting the contents of the 

 book, Archie remarked, " There's nae want o' tackle, 

 sir ; ye have some grand hooks ; " and we fixed on a 

 turkey-wing and dark body for a beginning. 



Wading at once into the river at the head of the 

 pool, and, having first carefully wetted and stretched 

 my line, I cast across the deepest part and began 

 work. 



At every other cast I hoped to see a fish, yet for 

 some time I had not a rise ; but near the finish of 

 this pool, just as it begins to narrow at the fall, I 

 rose a very heavy fish. I went back, and in a little 

 fished over him again. No notice. A few yards 

 farther on, and just over the stones at the head of the 



