FLOOD, SALMON, AND STARLINGS 313 



I growled the remark of my attendant was always the same, 

 " Oh ! this is a grand part of the water." I could but agree; 

 it was indeed a fine stretch with lots of water, but what availed 

 that to me when the fish would not meet me half-way ? We 

 tried them with various flies and baits, but they usually refused 

 all, and after a long, unsuccessful, and therefore tiring day, I 

 felt inclined to follow the example of the fisherman depicted in 

 Punch many years ago, and throw all my flies, minnows, and 

 killoghs into the river, and tell the sulky brutes to make their 

 own choice. 



Still higher than this, some miles up, was the prettiest part of 

 our fishing, but there even less success attended my efforts, 

 possibly because it was never fished when at its best. The first 

 fish got was landed here but never another, though I tried hard 

 and often. I caught two trout and a large part of a lady's 

 garment, which when first " met " on the gravelly bottom made 

 me believe that at last my luck had turned and I had hold of a 

 fish. The "remnants" were well hooked too, and at last, 

 assisted by the gaff, safely brought to bank. 



This was my last triumph in Ireland ; alas ! the time had 

 come to an end would that I could have it over again ! The 

 result was very satisfactory, on twenty-two fishing days twenty 

 fish were killed ; total weight, 327 Ibs., average 16 J Ib. ; the 

 latter were reduced by four small fish 9J, 91, 9, 7, which were 

 brought up on a short flood. But they were real gentlemen, 

 lively, full of spirits and play, who showed their silvery bodies 

 frequently and behaved altogether as well-brought-up salmon 

 should, intent on the pleasure they thereby afforded the man at 

 the other end of the line ; not like the slow-moving heavy- 

 weights who hugged the bottom in their bad temper, and never 

 until almost the last moment displayed their portly form to the 

 anxiously expectant fisherman. 



My best day produced four fish 30 J, 9J, 91, 9 ; another 

 23, 17, and 13, with many kelts, and some of large size ; the 

 exact bag being: 



14, 19, 13, 13, 33J, 23, 17, 13, 161, 18, 30J, 9J, 91, 

 9, 101, 20, 7, 11, 19J, 201. 



Owing to its warm and damp climate Ireland is a favourite 

 winter resort for starlings, and this particular neighbourhood in 



