SAI.MON. 
175 
But the energy and excitement with which the sport of 
fishing for Salmon is accompanied, are well shewn in the 
following narrative, which is extracted from an Irish authority, 
hut is not the less authentic on that account: — The River 
Shannon is known for the large size of the fish which frequent 
it; and it was one of the largest of these which fought a battle 
with three fishermen, and after a long contest came off con- 
queror. With the first of these the contest lasted for five 
hours, during which he was worked three miles down the 
stream, until at last in the approaching darkness he became 
faint with fatigue, and then a companion took his place. The 
second combatant fared little better; for although he boldly 
kept up the conflict for eight hours, at the end of that time 
he found himself seven miles further down the river, with the 
day just breaking upon him, and with as little chance of a 
triumph as when he began. A. gentleman residing near the 
river became informed of this extraordinary proceeding, and 
hastily rising from his bed, he proceeded to the field of fight; 
where he gave the angler a pound bank-note for the rod and 
chance of success; and without doubt this was gladly accepted, 
as well for its own sake as a relief from the fear of discomfiture. 
By several leaps the fish had shewn itself a worthy prize, 
and the third combatant entered on the work with spirit. For 
four miles further, and nine successive hours, the struggle 
lasted, until at last with a desperate plunge the rod was broken 
close to the reel, and the whole was carried off into the sea. 
The time occupied in this struggle was twenty-three hours, 
and the space travelled over was almost twenty miles. It is 
known that if a fish in passing up a river becomes wounded 
or much terrified, it seeks its safety by returning to the sea, 
from which again it may not speedily come into the same 
stream. 
But the season comes when the Salmon must deposit its 
spawn, and this is found to be everywhere in the months of 
winter, for although in a few instances it has been noticed 
^ occurring as early as September, and again as late as 
arch, these are exceptional cases, and the larger number 
^0 known to enter on this function from the middle of 
ovember to the following January. This is the time when 
good policy in an especial manner should be directed to the 
