Capture of Fish. 5 3 



to which we look forward ; and in this work-a- 

 day world, something to look forward to is half 

 the enjoyment of life. 



The capture of the SALMON is the ambition 

 of all anglers, but we doubt very much if the 

 sport is to compare with ordinary loch or sea- 

 trout fishing, provided always that the latter 

 are of good average weight. The tackle used 

 in salmon-fishing is proportionately heavy, and 

 after the first few rushes, if the fish be well 

 hooked, there is little in it except a matter of 

 time. Indeed it is said that some anglers, 

 after hooking a salmon, hand the rod to a 

 gillie to work and land the fish. This seems 

 going too much in the other direction, but 

 it is quite understandable. True, the size to 

 which salmon run is a great inducement to go 

 after them ; but even in Loch Tay, where the 

 biggest average is to be found, the sport, if 

 such it can be called at all, is very question- 

 able. The rod, line, gut, and minnows used 

 are on such a strong scale, that a well -sized 

 vessel might be moored with them without 

 their breaking ; and with several scores of 

 yards of line ready for a rush, what earthly 

 chance has the fish of escape, unless through 



