84 FISHING WITH THE FLY. 



an evident loss of strength, but no diminution of de- 

 termination and pluck. 



A friend who was watching and timing me from his 

 boat came over to inquire how the battle was progress- 

 ing, and pertinently asked, "Whether the fish was 

 going to take me or I the fish." At last the strength 

 of the tackle, the pliability of the rod, and the determi- 

 nation of the rodster overcame the pluck and strength 

 of the fish, and he was brought to the boat turned upon 

 his side and was beautifully landed by the guide. The 

 scales were at once applied, with a result of eight 

 pounds full weight. 



My inquiring and interested friend informed me that 

 I had been two hours and twenty minutes in the fight, 

 and as I sat down in the boat I, for the first time, real- 

 ized that I was tired. 



Now, my dear reader, do not think that this kind of 

 sport is of common occurrence, for from that time to 

 this, I have taken but two fish of equal weight ; the 

 average, however, has been much larger than trout 

 from any other locality in which I have fished. Any 

 fish under half a pound is considered unfit to land, 

 and is again committed to the water to grow larger. 

 The number of trout does not seem to be falling off ; 

 but this can be accounted for by the annual plant of 

 fry from the Hatching House of the Oquossoc Angling 

 Association, who have for years past turned about one 

 million fish into these waters, and now contemplate in- 

 creasing the amount to five million ; still I think there 



