The Big Trout. 179 



taking off half the effect, we had a terrible 

 scuffle ; the fish making desperate efforts to 

 get away. At last I managed to deal him a 

 regular cracker, and he gave up the ghost, and 

 I hauled him out, a fish of over fourteen 

 pounds. 



Late in the season a few salmon may be got 

 up the Lynn by fishing with a good-sized 

 worm. A short, stiff rod and strong tackle 

 are necessary, and you must give it him pretty 

 stiff, or he will surely make his way down to 

 the sea. It is not a very artistic way of fishing 

 for salmon ; but when you are at Lynmouth 

 you must do as others do, that is to say, if you 

 want to catch salmon. Apart from the fish- 

 ing, Lynmouth is one of the most delightful 

 sea-side villages I know. 



- I don't think there is any excuse for catch- 

 ing trout with a net, and yet I used to assist 

 in doing so once a year, for many years ; but 

 my assistance did not, I confess, go much 

 beyond the looking-on part. One of the kind 

 of men called gentlemen farmers used to have 

 a fishing party every year, about the beginning 

 of June, just before the hay harvest com- 

 menced, and a very enjoyable day it was. 



