Mahseer Fishing. 359 



many a grumble at such early rising, made tea. The 

 water is so clear and deep, that headers can be taken 

 off the rocks into twenty and more feet of water, 

 where every pebble at the bottom is visible. We 

 obtained three boats, each manned by a Cossyah. I 

 took the first that came to hand and found I had 

 secured if not the fastest boat, certainly the best 

 boatman. He had been in the habit of accompanying 

 Mr. Hind, the popular padre, and others, fishing, 

 I christened him " Wind up," from the only words of 

 English which he knew, for whenever we came to a 

 bad and shallow rapid, or struck a fish, he always 

 cried out, " Wind up ! " 



This river is divided in its upper course into rapids 

 with deep pools in the various gorges, while the 

 sides of the hills, over the river, were perpendicular ; 

 in many places from 250 to 350 feet high, and 

 densely clothed with verdure from the water to the 

 tableland above. The Cossyah boats are very light, 

 broad in the beam, have a small false keel, are 

 moderately steady, perfectly safe, and are easily pro- 

 pelled. Not knowing which way to go, I left it to 

 my Cossyah ; he took me up stream, whilst B. went 

 down, and 0. preferred fishing with the fly near 

 home. I went up to the first barrier, beyond which 

 no one can proceed, unless the boat is "portayed" and 

 deposited beyond the waterfall, where there is another 

 reach of half a mile, and where heavy fish are to be 

 found. 



I was trolling with a spoon bait, a most deadly 

 lure for mahseer, still did not get a run going up, but 

 coming down in the first rapid I struck one, but as 

 we were descending at such a rate, the boat could 



