340 Reminiscences of 



The sea fishing exhibits many characteristics of the 

 salmon which cannot be observed elsewhere, and are 

 entirely new features in the life and habits of this king 

 of the streams, where but one side of its dual life has 

 illustrated so many volumes. No accounts of accuracy 

 have been given of its important life in the sea, until 

 gained by viewing that real life as shown upon the 

 California coast, where the salmon is observed in its 

 normal condition engaged in the pursuit of its food of 

 nourishment. 



In the sea its life is one of progress, and in the 

 fresh water, excepting at its commencement, one of 

 retrogression and extinction. With its birth and first 

 delicate life in the stream we are familiar, and with 

 its swift advancement in the sea, and with its more 

 rapid decline upon its return to that element which 

 was so invigorating in early days. If there could 

 be another chapter it would be that of its survival 

 from the mountain stream after the spawning season 

 in its return to the briny waves, such return, by a 

 singular fatality, deadly in effect, but of this we have 

 no history. 



In the fresh-water pools, where the salmon rises 

 to the angler's fly, it is made in a comparatively 

 moderate way, and if missed, the salmon returns to 

 its before-occupied place, where it must have a rest 

 before engaging a following strike, and if followed 

 up too quickly and eagerly, may entirely give up 

 further attention; but if allowed to compose itself 

 for a few minutes, may again rise and essay the 

 gaudy deceit. Not so with the salmon in the sea, 

 who is bold and aggressive, free in the boundless 

 water, eager and fearless. Even if pricked by the 



