FLY-FISHING ON THE OSTRA DAL RIVER, SWEDEN. 39 



descending the wild portion of the Osra Dal Elv, 

 partly by boat, as far as the falls, and afterwards on 

 foot to the main road, and thus returning once more 

 to civilisation ; and crossing the mountains into Nor- 

 way. We chose the latter alternative, and the next 

 day found us at Idre Kapell, the end of the landsvag, 

 or post road, and the commencement of the skogvag, 

 or track, which eventually dwindled away into nothing. 

 Near at hand on the north stands a solitary mountain, 

 Stadian, offering the prospect of a limitless panorama, 

 and frequently ascended. The river at this point be- 

 comes subdivided into numerous smaller tributaries, 

 each stocked with an abundant supply of fish. 



The nearest way to civilisation, without involving 

 a retreat by the way we had come, consisted in reach- 

 ing, in a day and a half's march, the southern extremity 

 of Lake Foemundsjo, on which it was said that a small 

 steamer had just been placed, which would bring us 

 to the post road at its northern end. This end, how- 

 ever, by mountain valleys never before traversed 

 throughout by any traveller, might be reached by 

 attaining first the large and secluded Lake Kogon. 



A surveyor engaged on charting the portions of 

 forest belonging to the Crown, with a party of men, 

 was to set out the very next morning for the hamlet 

 of Foskran, a day's march in this latter direction, and 

 we determined to accompany them, having secured a 

 porter to carry our luggage upon his back. The 

 surveyor's maps, which he kindly allowed us to copy, 

 were found invaluable. 



