The Coleraine Salmon Leap

So numerous are the fish frequenting this river, that the average amount is estimated at £1,000 per annum; and on one occasion 1,500 salmon were taken at a single drag of the net. I, however, have only celebrated the exploits of a single fisher.

I remember a curious exploit of a gentleman, who went out in the morning to shoot, and shot a salmon; in the afternoon to fish, and caught a hare. The fact was, there had been a flood, which had dashed a salmon on the banks, where a gun was the readiest means of despatching it. The same flood had swept away a hare, and the line furnished the means of its capture.

I was dreaming that I went
Through the ocean element,
Like a conqueror on my way,
Shark and sword-fish were the prey;
With a spear I smote the waves
Down amid the coral caves.
I have waken'd,—let me go
Where the mountain torrents flow.

I will realize my dream
In the dashing of the stream;
Pouring 'mid the summer woods
All the gather'd winter floods;
When the ice and when the snow
Melt into a sunny flow:
'Mid the bright waves leaping forth
Comes the salmon from the north.

Let the meaner angler seek,
In the willow-hidden creek,
For the trout whose spotted side
Crimsons like a star the tide;
Let him 'mid dark waters search
For the carp and for the perch;
While the silver graylings shiver
Like bright arrows in a quiver.

Mine a nobler prey shall be,
Guest from yonder sounding sea,
Comes the salmon proud and strong,
Darting like a ray along.
For his lure, the artful fly
Does the peacock's plume supply;
Royal bird, whose radiant wing
Suiteth with the river king.

See, he bears the line away,
Bound him flies the snowy spray.
I have given him length and line,
One last struggle, he is mine.
Fling the green arbutus bough
On the glowing ashes now;
Let the cup with red wine foam,—
I have brought the salmon home.