35 Reminiscences of 



coast were about to feel their first check on the 

 California shore, and among those moderate swells 

 were thousands of salmon full of lusty strength, and 

 silver-glistening, gliding amid this immense mass of 

 anchovies, which scattering and demoralized vainly 

 sought escape. As it grew lighter the salmon could 

 be seen in rapid motion near the boat, and many 

 breaks and whirls were observable near the surface. 

 The birds were already there to seize the distracted 

 anchovies when within reach, shrieking with dis- 

 cordant gabbling notes their exultation, the only 

 sounds which broke the quiet of the morning. 



The water was clear and attractive in its bluish- 

 green hue. Down many feet could be seen the sil- 

 very anchovies in restless motion, easily followed 

 by their flashing brightness. Among them were the 

 salmon, seeming at play, but as wanton as that of 

 the tiger with its victim. Blue flashing streaks oc- 

 casionally passed near the boat. These were the 

 salmon in passage, and now and then one would 

 break fairly out of the water, but not with the play- 

 ful leap as seen in fresh- water pools, but breaking 

 from one wave to another in headlong pursuing 

 flight. This scene continued directly about me for 

 an hour, and my men and I were the only wit- 

 nesses, on the placid waters of this beautiful bay, of 

 this interesting scene which many salmon fishermen 

 would have given so much to see. 



Once a salmon came up head-on, vertically, sev- 

 eral feet out of the water, close to the boat, so near 

 that it seemed as if it would come in. It was a bold 

 and vigorous rush from below, undoubtedly for an 

 anchovy above him. It was an exciting moment, 



