INLAND TROUT FISHING. 661 



have been taken in the waters of these lakes. Of one thing we feel quite 

 sure, that there is no region of our country yet explored by anglers which 

 produces larger Trout or in greater abundance than this chain of lakes. 

 Large fish are killed in other portions of the state of Maine, but in nothing 

 like the numbers that are found in these favored waters. Here the Trout 

 seem to thrive, sport and grow fat, and are yet fine-flavored, beautiful in 

 their markings, and in no particular save their weight difi'erent from their 

 confreres of Pennsylvania and other parts. 



At the embouchure of the Rapid River, immediately contiguous to the 

 scow landing, are the remains of an old lumber bridge. A few rods below 

 the dilapidated abutments, upon which the massive hemlock beams rested 

 that supported this rough structure, there is to my eye the most lovely 

 spot for the sprightly gambols of the Brook Trout that I ever encountered. 

 I was told by those who had fished at this particular point during the pre- 

 vious spring, that one might fill a large creel with good-sized Trout with- 

 out moving ten yards to the right or left, and so continue the catch day after 

 day till completely surfeited with the sport. The same in all truthfulness 

 can be said of other points in the numerous streams which abound in 

 this region. Towards sundown of the 25th I repaired once more to the 

 favored stand at the Narrows. Our larder had not been as yet replenished : 

 greasy salt pork and sour bread was still the order of the day, to say 

 nothing of impertinence from the camp-boy and boorish incivility on the 

 part of the half-tipsy maitre de cuisine. Our necessities, so far as the table 

 was concerned, were even more pressing than when we arrived, as we were 

 now short of milk and cream, in consequence of the old cow having failed 

 to return from her feeding-grounds in the woods at her accustomed hour. 

 One of two things was certain ; she had either lost her way in the wilder- 

 ness, or had been set upon by the bears, of which there are many in the 

 almost impassable forests skirting the lakes. However, little danger is to 

 be apprehended from these animals, at this particular season of the year, 

 as they are not pressed for food, and their cubs being pretty well grown, 

 do not require their protection. 



During the month of July last, a young voyageur from New York, while 

 crossing the carry entirely alone, and without arms of any description 

 save an old cotton umbrella, if such could be called an arm of defence or 

 offence, was suddenly confronted by a huge bear, who seemed inclined to 

 dispute the right of way. Our voyageur, notwithstanding his total igno- 

 rance of all wood craft, and having no knowledge whatever of the habits 

 and idiosyncrasies of wild animals, acted with wonderful discretion at this 



