80 SALMON -ANGLING. 



shoulder. The fish gave a languid plunge, and, of course, 

 broke the top. Although I had only some thread, and a 

 pair of scissors, I cut a couple of twigs, and spliced my 

 rod, as clumsily as ever a country surgeon bungled a poor 

 man's leg. With my maimed instrument I killed two 

 fine salmon and several sea-trout. I had fished since 

 July, and bagged two hundred and fifty-seven sea-trout, 

 many very large, and twelve salmon and grilse, with the 

 same top, and little expected to break it the last day, when 

 I was particularly anxious to do great things. A few 

 years ago, the same mishap befel me when fishing in Loch 

 Dronkie. At the beginning of the day, a large yellow 

 trout rose, and was fixed, just under a perpendicular bank. 

 Not being able to land the fish without throwing back my 

 rod too far, I snapped the top, though I secured my prey. 

 Nothing daunted, I mended my rod with a bit of twine, 

 and killed five more fine trout. I question if, either day, 

 I should have had better sport had no accident occurred. 



