310 SALMON FISHING. 



" Few, however^ even of the best and boldest fishermen, cared 

 to wet a line in its waters, in consequence of the supposed 

 impossibility of following a heavy fish through the gorge below, 

 or checking him at the brink of the fall. It is true, that, 

 throughout the length of the pass, the current was broken by 

 bare, slippery rocks peering above the waters, at intervals, 

 which might be cleared by an active cragsman; and it had 

 been in fact reconnoitered by Jasper and others in cool blood, 

 but the result of the examination was that it was deemed 

 impassable. 



" Thinking, however, little of striking a large fish, and perhaps 

 desiring to waste a little time before scaling the banks and 

 emerging on the high-road, Jasper threw a favourite fiy of 

 peacocVs herl and gold tinsel lightly across the water ; and, 

 almost before he had time to think, had hooked a monstrous 

 fish, which, at the very first leap, he set down as weighing at 

 least thirty pounds. 



" Thereupon followed a splendid display of piscatory skill. 

 Well knowing that his fish must be lost if he once should suc- 

 ceed in getting his head down the rapid, Jasper exerted every 

 nerve, and exhausted every art to humour, to meet, to restrain, 

 to check him. Four times the fish rushed for the pass, and four 

 times Jasper met him so stoutly with the butt, trying his tackle 

 to the very utmost, that he succeeded in forcing him from the 

 perilous spot. Round and round the pool he had piloted him, 

 and had taken post at length, hoping that the worst was already 

 over, close to the opening of the rocky chasm. 



"And now perhaps waxing too confident, he checked his fish 

 too sharply. Stung into fury, the monster sprang five times in 



