My Record Muskallunge 277 



as each island has its trees and all the factors of the main- 

 land, is indeed a province. Some of the islands are mere 

 rocks, like Little Fraud, near Haydens ; yet it has its trees, 

 its cottage and boathouse. 



Others, like St. Elmo, rise high and rugged, covered with 

 verdure except where the grass sod reaches down to the 

 water in some quiet cove. Nobby Island, despite its name, 

 is one of the most typical and restful in its beauties. Then 

 there is the Lake of the Isles, near Westminster, seen from 

 nearly every point, often through the vistas from the 

 meadows, or again from some lofty point, or come upon 

 suddenly when rowing around some rocky ledge. 



Here are endless shapes, each a perfect island, an ideal 

 stopping place which the angler or rower hails with delight 

 and leaves with regret. Here all nature is beautiful, and 

 one is at a loss to select one spot more attractive than an- 

 other, though I have found it a question of moods. To-day, 

 one finds more delight in some little bay almost entirely shut 

 in; where the pond lilies cover the water and the boat may 

 be hidden with blossoms. Again some lofty isle takes the 

 fancy, where one can lie beneath the trees, fanned by the 

 soft wind, breathe the perfume-laden air and dream of the 

 voyageurs who knew this region years, aye, centuries ago, 

 not one of whom has carved his name upon a rock. 



But you and I are not dreamers, at least do not confess it. 

 We seek the river, not for the beauties of nature alone but 

 to try conclusions with the finest of all game fishes, the 

 black-bass, which long ago preempted this region and called 

 it its own, with none but the muskallunge its right to dis- 

 pute. Pope must have had in mind a similar stream when 

 he wrote: 



" Our plenteous streams a varied race supply : 



The bright-eyed perch, with fins of Tyrian dye ; 



The silver eel, in shining volumes roll'd ; 



The yellow carp, in scales bedropt with gold; 



Swift trouts, diversified with crimson stains, 



And pikes, the tyrants of the watery plains." 



