SPAIN, FEANOE AND POETUGAL 



Spain practically a vlrgiii field, easily reached from Southampton. 

 The coast is cut up with many bays, indentations and fjords, all 

 of which afford sport of some kind, according to Mr. Walter M. 

 GaUichan, who has made a special study of this new fishing 

 ground. According to this author, tuna of large size are taken 

 off the mouths of the Portuguese rivers, or, to use his exact 

 words, ' of fabulous weight.' Sea- trout up to seven and eight 

 pounds are to be had in Galacia, in tide waters, a noble game. 

 Here, too, are fine bass and big pollack, grey muUet, which appeal 

 to many anglers on light tackle. 



Mr. Gallichan states that the best centres for the sea and 

 river angler are Eibadeo, a little village at the mouth of the Eiver 

 Eo, Vivero, Ferrol and Puente de Eume. For the lover of sea- 

 trout angling, he recommends Coruna, Corcubion, Pontevedra 

 and Vigo. The latter is particularly preferred, as it is the port 

 of several lines of English steamers. Here one can find twenty 

 or thirty kinds of fine fishes, many of extraordinary appearance, 

 as the Merluza. The congers here are large, and the bass can 

 be taken on salmon rods with a fly, especially off the Isle of 

 Cies. A spoon is also used for bass and sea-trout. 



Into Vigo Bay the Berdugo river flows, and its mouth is a 

 famous place for sea-trout. For sea angUng, the angler is advised 

 to bring heavy tackle. Mr. GaUichan says regarding the important 

 factor of reaching this place, ' The cost of a holiday in Spain 

 would not amount to more than a holiday in Scotland or Ireland, 

 if the angler's wants are moderate. The sea voyage in summer 

 is delightful, and the Eoyal Mafl ships touch at Cherbourg and 

 Coruna on the way to Vigo. Fishermen who dislike a sea passage 

 can travel overland in about forty-eight hours, via Paris, Irun, 

 and Venta de Bancs to Coruna or Vigo.' I may add that the 

 prospective angler in Portugal or Spain wiU find this author's 

 book, Travel in Spain, invaluable, not as a guide only, but for 

 its literary charm. 



France has suffered from poaching and indiscriminate fishing 

 for years ; and if the EepubUc wiU heed the requests of its 



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