74 A TRIP TO THE LA VAL. 
river, forming a perilous swinging bridge by wliicb one 
conld reach it dry-sliod. Directly across a cool spring 
brook entered tlie La Yal at a place where the shore was 
a mass of overhanging imderbrnsh. A j)atliway had 
been cnt through the woods by some previous salmon 
fishers to the pools above and below ; and with the poles, 
benches, boards and other insignificant but useful articles 
left by our predecessors, our camping- ground cojiibined 
every requisite with many luxuries. At five o'clock 
the tent was pitched, our necessary part of the arrange- 
ments, the head-work done, and Walton and myself com- 
menced fishing. We stood side by side upon the rock 
already mentioned, and before dark had taken fifty-three 
trout, weighing one hundred and twenty pounds. They 
were most vigorous fish, and many a time did their con- 
tinued runs almost exhaust our lines. We had fished at 
Sault de Cochon with three files ; on ascending the river 
had diminished them to two, and now the fish themselves 
coolly reduced them to one. Almost invariably, if we 
struck two fish at a time, no matter what pains we took, 
one broke away with the hook. After a short time, we 
did not pretend to use more than one, and then had to 
take great pains in removing it from the mouth to avoid 
its being destroyed, so tough were the lips and strong the 
teeth of these noble fish. Indeed, it was soon efi'ectually 
proved that any fly with the hackle wound from the 
shoulder to the bind was worthless, the first fish biting 
away the hackle, which should have been only wound 
close to the head. Heretofore the destruction of my fiy 
had been a minor consideration, but now I found that I 
must look to myself, or, although provided with over 
