86 ANECDOTES OF FISHES 



IRELAND. 



Some years since, when visiting the Marquis 

 of Clanricarde at Portumna Castle, two gentle- 

 men killed, in the river Shannon, an amazing 

 pike, weighing ninety-two pounds, which had got 

 on ground in pursuing small fish. His length 

 was such, that when carried across on an oar, the 

 head and tail touched the ground. 



Wild Sports of the West. 



In the River Shannon a large pike was taken 

 weighing seventy pounds. At Hull river, near 

 Beverley, one was taken weighing eighteen 

 pounds. 



It is no unusual event for a pike to be taken 

 from thirty to sixty pounds, in Loughs Mask and 

 Corrib. The trout in these loughs are also im- 

 mensely large; they weigh from five to fifteen 

 pounds. 



Angling for Pike with the pooka in Ireland. 

 The pooka is formed with a piece of flat board 

 having a little mast and sail erected on it. Its 

 use is to carry out the extremity of a long line 

 of considerable stoutness ; an infinity of droppers 

 or links are suspended, each armed with a hook, 

 and bait ; corks are affixed to the principal line 

 to keep it buoyant on the surface, and from a 

 weather-shore; if there be a tolerable breeze, 



