156 BT ROOK AND BY CEOOZ. 



situated in the district which formed the watershed of 

 our river were as yet unvisited by snow or rain. 



As we sped due westward our spirits rose ; for gra- 

 dually the snow decreased, until upon uearing our 

 destination the country was quite open and bore no 

 trace of it. In fact, upon our arrival we found rather 

 the reverse state of affairs, the river being somewhat low, 

 but of a good colour. 



AVe learned that during the previous week fair sport 

 had been obtained, but since then the water had become 

 too fine and no fish had been landed. However, we had 

 to make the most of our few days, so after dinner put 

 the tackle in order and packed our bags ready for an 

 early start next morning, firmly resolved that if sticking 

 to it would be of any use we should be right in it. 



By getting up and breakfasting by candle-light, we 

 managed to arrive soon after daybreak at the pool which 

 started the fishing, about a mile from our quarters, and 

 were pleased to find the water at the right height and 

 in good order. The river here was divided by an island 

 into two streams of unequal width, our stream, although 

 by far the narrower, affording the passage for running 

 fish, while that beyond the island was wide and shallow, 

 with much broken water and thin runs, forming happy 

 hunting-grounds for the trout-fisher. 



Our pool was about 100 yards long, but was unfishable 

 from the mainland on account of the alder and ash trees 

 which lined the bank ; so to fish it we waded across the 

 foot of the stream on to the island, no very easy feat 



