SHARP CONTEST WITH A SALMON. 243 



gaff, when it scaled twelve pounds ; and, though not large, it 

 is something to play and save a twelve-pound salmon with a 

 single gut in a swift and shallow rapid just above a chute. 



We now proceeded to the second pool above, where the 

 doctor seated himself to rest on shore and watch my move- 

 ments. Here also the run was about twenty rods wide, with 

 the channel along the bank opposite. I therefore waded out 

 so as to cast across the main current, and let my fly sweep 

 round to the eddy, some eighty feet below. I had not mad'e 

 many casts before a salmon deliberately swam up to my fly 

 and examined it, and then, as if suspicious, turned from it 

 like electricity, his turn forming a most exciting whirl. In 

 vain I cast several times more, but the run was too wide to 

 deliver my fly at the farther shore, where was a deep pool 

 from which I might have enticed him. But we gave up the 

 chase and commenced a return, the doctor walking along 

 the shore, and I wading and casting as I went. We had not 

 gone far when I hooked a very elegant salmon. There was 

 a pool on each side of the run, and the salmon took the fly 

 on the farther side. As soon as the fish realized that he was 

 firmly hooked, he came across the run for the pool near us. 

 I stood in the water nearly between the two pools, but rath- 

 er above them. As the run was very rapid all the w^ay be- 

 low until it entered the St. John, I requested the doctor to 

 fall below the salmon, and thus prevent the fish from run- 

 ning the chute. The doctor waded below the pool on the 

 left, and as he saw the salmon darting for that pool, he ran 

 below, to prevent the fish from turning down stream after it 

 should learn that it was mistaken in finding protection where 

 it was going to seek it. The salmon came to the near pool, 

 ind, finding no assistance, it endeavored to sulk a little, but 

 inally resolved to run the chute, or return to the pool at the 

 farther shore. 



After a close contest of an hour's duration, in which the 

 salmon passed twice between the doctor's legs, the fish was 

 brought to gaif, and weighed fifteen pounds. On returning 



