138 GouDlE, Three Anglers at the Murray. [voT.'xxxvil. 



on the road, wc shortly struck the Piaugil railway line, and, 

 following this, were soon driving through the orange groves 

 and vineyards of Nyah. 



Descending into the river valley, the track led through the 

 Red Gums until, coming to a sheltered glade, we pitched the 

 tent on the bank of the broad and placid Murray. Tlie river 

 was low for the time of year, but the water was clear and soft, 

 and made excellent tea. Lunch disposed of, the fishing taclcle 

 was brought out — strong greenheart rods of 10 feet, reels 

 holding 50 yards of Unen schnapper line, and a varied assort- 

 ment of hooks and sinkers. Baiting with worm (which we had 

 brought with us, as none are obtainable near the river), we 

 cast well out, the bait swinging along the bottom with the 

 current. There was no long waiting for bites, but vicious tugs, 

 a quick movement of the butt, a few minutes' play with a taut 

 line, and the fish would be gently drawn out on the sloping 

 bank. In a couple of hours we had Cod and Perch sufficient 

 for several meals. It is surprising how one's appetite improves 

 on these camping-out trips. The high cost of Uving, the state 

 of the crops, the latest strike are all forgotten, and a 5-lb. 

 Murray Cod, fresh from the river, makes a dish fit for kings. 

 A sound sleep on a couch of gum-leaves, and we were up at the 

 first call of the Kookaburra for an early morning dip. We 

 decided this day to try for Bream — a very handsome fish (jf 

 fine quahty. Tlie Bream frequent comparatively shallow water 

 near the sand-spits, while the Cod are mostly cauglit in tlie 

 deep holes amongst the snags. Fresh-water shrimi)s arc a 

 good bait for all Murray fish, and are easily procured. A 

 kerosene tin is obtained, holes punched in the sides and bottom, 

 and a skinned rabbit or mutton-bone placed therein and 

 secured. A piece of rope is tied to the liandle, and the tin 

 is sunk in the water near some log, &c., left tliere half an 

 hour, then quickly drawn up, and you liave slirimps in 

 plenty. 



On our way to the next bend in the river, where there was 

 a good stretch of sandy beach, a likely spot for Bream, several 

 Tiger Snakes were disturbed ; but, unless they actually 

 disputed the right-of-way (whicli they seldom did), we found 

 it the best policy to leave them ah me. There were so many 

 of tliese reptilt;s that it seemed merely a waste of time to stop 

 and kill them, for all tlie difference it would make in their 

 number. After th(^ first day or two one gets used to tliem. 

 Getting to work with the l-5ream tackle (which is mm li liner, 

 with smaller hooks, than that used for Cod), we soon had 

 vigorous bites, and the sport was fine indeed. Like the gallant 

 Black Bream of the southern estuaries, the Murray Bream is 

 a famous fighter, sometimes leaping clear of tlu; water, and 



