Sir Hyde Parker killed one in Sweden, that weighed sixty pounds; and the Earl of Home killed one in the Tweed, which weighed sixty-nine pounds and three-quarters.
The season of 1835, was remarkable for large salmon. A notice appeared in the papers of one that weighed fifty-five pounds. Mr. Mudie has recorded one of sixty pounds. In a note in several editions of Walton, one is mentioned that weighed seventy pounds. Pennant has noticed one of seventy-four pounds. The largest I have heard of was in the possession of Mr. Groves, the fishmonger, of Bond street, it weighed eighty-three pounds. It is not recorded how the last four were captured, but I conclude those mentioned by Walton, and Pennant, were also taken with the fly.
Page ninety-eight warns me, that my observations have exceeded the limit I originally assigned them; I trust however they have not been written in vain, but that the hints on fly-fishing, will enable the uninitiated to commence the sport, fortified with some practical information, and that his prospect of success will be more cheering than if he had depended on the assurance so readily given by the vendor of tackle—that his flies are certain killers, and his rods perfection.
I have written for the purpose of aiding the young in the acquirement of an art, which if pursued under proper restrictions, will be found conducive to the health of the body and improvement of the mind.
Knowing that vice too frequently springs up where cheerful recreations are forbidden, I hold it to be the duty of parents, to encourage the innocent amusements of their children.
The boy, who has been too severely curbed by the injudicious father, I have seen, in after life, a sullen, morose, deceitful man; his pleasures have been sought by stealth; falsehood has been practised, to evade the censure of those who should have encouraged his youthful pastimes. Vice, perchance has been courted, because it lurks in darkness and obscurity, beyond the reach of the parent’s eye, whose unwise command has forbid the joyous pursuits so congenial to the unclouded days of youth.
I have also written for the guidance of those of maturer age; who, fatigued with the drudgery of business, or worn by the anxiety of a profession, seek some recreation, which may recruit their strength and invigorate their minds, rendering them more fitted for the wonted task, and more capable of fulfilling the duties of their respective stations.
That these objects may be obtained, and that good sport may attend the Devon and Cornish fishermen, is the sincere wish of their fellow sportsman.
G. W. SOLTAU.