| Early the next morning I gave the lower lake a second trial, which was almost as unsuccessful as the former, from the same want of a breeze; and we therefore determined after breakfast to fish Lough Duloch, as it was more exposed to the wind then blowing. Duloch, or, more properly, Dubh Lough, i. e. the Black Lake, is much larger than the lower lake, being about three miles in length; and is environed, especially on its western side, by very precipitous rocks, behind which tower the steepest and sternest mountains imaginable. The scenery is altogether of a very wild and even grand character: not a vestige of a cabin, not a patch of cultivated ground, is to be seen. In these respects, it is very characteristic of the general features of the Cunnemarra scenery: for which reason I consider myself very fortunate in being able to present my readers with an engraving, from a sketch taken on the spot by that well-known artist and author, Mr. [p. 171] Lover. It forms the frontispiece to the second volume of this little work. <br />Our boatman was a curious old fellow, who usually went by the name of "Briddawn," (the Irish for "salmon.") He was quite a study of a peculiar class of Irishmen; reclaimed from being a <em>whole</em> poacher by being made a <em>half</em> sort of keeper; shrewd, observant, humorous, with not a few <em>buts</em> to relieve the bright side of his character. Under Briddawn's direction, we tried the most likely spots for salmon: and gradually worked our way up to the very head of the lake, where, as is always the case, are the most white trout. <br />For the first two or three hours we had as much wind as we could desire, though from the worst possible quarter: it afterwards entirely failed us. I rose three salmon; one of which, at least, I think I ought to have hooked. Briddawn afterwards rose and killed the same fish, after a smart struggle, with a light rod: he proved to be a red spring fish of about eight pounds. The old man's ill-suppressed triumph over me, on this occasion, was not the least [p. 172] amusing event of the day. At the head of the lake we killed a few fine sea trout; and, I dare say, might have had very good sport with them if the breeze had continued. <br />I was certainly much disappointed with my <em>coup d'essai</em> at Delphi; where I am well convinced that, under favourable circumstances, as good rod-fishing may be had as in almost any part of Cunnemarra. However, it was not for the first time I learned that an angler must often meet with such reverses, or he would not so much enjoy his success when it does occasionally arrive. [pp. 170-172] |
