RANGELEY BROOK TROUT. 85 



is a sensible diminution of the size of the catch, which 

 now run from one-half to four pounds, and anything 

 over that weight is the exception. This would seem to 

 confirm the supposition of Professor Agassiz, made 

 many years ago, that these large fish possibly may have 

 reached an age of from 100 to 200 years, as they were 

 evidently very old. 



Any one who has been thrilled with the vigorous 

 strike of one of the ordinary sized fish would be almost 

 beside himself when one from three to five pounds 

 rose to his fly, and if his tackle was good, the sport de- 

 rived therefrom would serve him a lifetime ; and when 

 the shades of night had fallen upon the camp, and he 

 with his fellow-fishermen collected around the great 

 fire, point and vigor would be given to his recital of 

 how he caught and played the monster he that day had 

 brought to his creel. 



