THE TRIP TO THE OGILVIE ROCKIES 13 



and docks. At the Forks we saw two king salmon, 

 which were just beginning to run up the creek. Soon two 

 men appeared, who had come more directly across the 

 country from Robinson's Camp the same day, to count 

 the remaining logs piled on the bank near the river. 

 They could give us no information about the country 

 farther up, except to say that five miles ahead there was 

 a canon which would block the progress of pack-horses, 

 and beyond it the mountains were too rough for our 

 method of travel. Here, at last, we found an abundant 

 supply of good grass for the horses, and from there on 

 it was plentiful and of good quality. Mosquitoes were 

 beginning to be bothersome, though not yet a pest. 

 The country was wilder; the mountains, which rose in 

 ridges and formed spurs of the main range, were nearer 

 the creek and were covered with spruces and poplars. 



After taking a bite to eat, I started with my rod to try 

 for graylings in front of the cabins, and quickly landed 

 seven of fair size from one pool. Graylings were abun- 

 dant in all the large pools clear up to the head of the 

 river. I even saw several a half mile below the melting 

 snow, near the extreme source of the creek. Those 

 caught usually averaged from eight ounces to a pound 

 in weight. They are quite shy and generally lie at the 

 foot of the more rapid water of the pools or in the eddies 

 always where the surface is smooth. They quickly 

 start to take the fly, but with no snap, just rising to the 

 surface to grasp it in a sluggish manner, and once hooked 

 they have no more play than a chub. I have never found 

 them a game fish or worth catching except for food, and 



