82 SALMON -ANGLING. 



with some difficulty near the fatal weapon. The "stroke" 

 was given, but it was too plain the " sawmont " would 

 require if he did not " seek anither ! " The man had 

 scraped him, and thus rendered him desperate. Down he 

 pushed, past the tree. It was not of so much consequence 

 now, for I gave my rod to the driver for a moment, 

 (who handled it exactly like his whip,) got round the 

 tree, and was all right. Having the command of the 

 stream, I soon brought the fish under the bank, when the 

 man gaffed him cleverly. Although so game, he was only 

 ten pounds weight ; and had I not been hampered with 

 the tree, I should have managed him in half an hour. I 

 anticipate the remark, " A bad day for the fly is often a 

 good one for the worm." This maxim was not applicable 

 in the present case ; for with one of the flies, several times 

 refused by the salmon, I hooked and landed a three-pound 

 sea-trout, in the next pool I fished. No sooner had I 

 dropped it into my bag, than a five-pound grilse sucked 

 down the same fly as eagerly as the trout did, and shared 

 the same fate. I had no more time to spare, but, if I 

 could have remained, I should probably have had prime 

 sport with the fly, as I left a beautiful reach of the river 

 untried. 



About a fortnight after, the water was again in excellent 

 trim for the fly, and I alongside of the pool I considered 

 surest for a heavy fish. After twice going carefully over 

 it with the most approved flies, and not even a break, 

 feeling almost certain that a salmon lodged there, I again 

 had recourse to the worm. At the very foot of the pool, 



