TROUT OF THE KENNEBEC 



me to give a bit of advice to beginners. Don't be 

 so anxious to hear the singing of the reel as to 

 allow your fish too much line ; shorten your line, 

 as soon as possible, v^ithout stopping to play your 

 fish ; when he is a heavy one, haul in your line, 

 hand over fist, as fast as he gives you opportunity, 

 accommodating yourself to his rushes this way and 

 that, with the tip, and as short a line as possible. 

 Your tip will do the business. I have seen many 

 a fine trout lost by too much finicky play. 



Last season, going a mile down the river, by a 

 charming leafy path through the forest, I waded 

 out with difficulty to a little ledge, peeping above 

 the water far from shore. It was treacherous 

 footing to that ledge, and I had the pleasure of seeing 

 a dignified clerk of the United States District Court 

 of Portland execute a frantic dance in the ford, to 

 keep his feet ; this way and that he tumbled, with 

 arms waving and a tremendous splashing. I 

 laughed till I ached, and having sat down myself 

 several times in that river, I hoped to see this 

 official take his seat; but, alas, he did n't. Making 

 the ledge, I began fishing. The beauty around 

 me on that September morning was enough, but 

 after a little casting I had a lively one — a half- 

 pound trout. Having no basket, and unable to 

 place him on the ledge, I had to wade all the way 



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