252 SALMON AND TROUT. 



a friend. We used to meet at lunch to compare notes. One 

 day when we met as usual, my friend produced five splendid 

 new run fish, one of them over 20 Ibs., and I had nothing 

 to show. I could see that he had no pity for me, and that he 

 was highly pleased with himself, and although I pretended that 

 I rejoiced with him, I was in reality not at all happy and felt 

 very small. This was bad enough, but when, on our separating 

 to resume our sport after lunch, he said to me, * Well, as you 

 are not getting any sport perhaps you would like to read the 

 newspaper (handing me one), instead of fishing this afternoon,' 

 it was almost more than I could stand. However, I declined 

 with thanks and said nothing more, but I hated him for half 

 an hour most cordially, and vowed I would pay him out some 

 day, and shortly afterwards I had an opportunity of doing so, 

 for I produced eight spring fish one day at lunch time, my 

 friend having only landed a kelt ; but knowing what his feelings 

 must be, I did not chaff him or offer him a newspaper to read. 

 May my forbearance be chronicled by the recording angel ! 

 That day I killed eleven fish, averaging 10 Ibs., the best day I 

 ever had spring fishing. . . . 



And so I say farewell, and wish all my brother sportsmen 

 our old greeting on the Conway ' A tight line ! ' 



JOHN P. TRAHERNE. 



