96 MTNNOW TROLLING. 



but which when I reached I had no trouble in clambering up the 

 low bank, which as I before stated was nearly even with the water, 

 and here I hoped to draw up the trout which now lay disabled on 

 his side; but here I was disappointed, as soon finding the cur- 

 rent in this narrow part was so powerful, that even the dead weight 

 of the fish drawn along passively on the surface was more than 

 my tackle was capable of pulling ahead against it ; and the small 

 willow bush I before alluded to completely baulked me from bring- 

 ing him to land in a more quiet part of the pool. At last the 

 thought struck me the trout being now apparently lifeless that I 

 might cut away a sufficient portion of the willow to form a small 

 cove sufficient for my purpose, which when regarding the resplendent 

 golden sides of the trout, as he lay motionless upon the water I 

 thought was well worth the attempt; so elevating my rod suffici- 

 ently to allow my line to keep clear of the stunted willow, I 

 guided the fish into a part of the pool that was perfectly still and 

 tranquil, and sticking the spike of my rod into the ground I 

 commenced my labours, but ere I had proceeded far the trout had 

 again revived, and though not quite so active as before, yet, had 

 not happily the stop of the reel been free, so that the line could 

 run off, some of the tackle must inevitably have given way, as the 

 fish made right away for the stiffest part of the current, and as I 

 could not follow him up, many yards of the line were run off 

 the reel before I could again bring him in check, which having 

 done I soon mastered him, and again brought him apparently 

 lifeless to the surface. I then resumed my work, but before long 

 he had again revived, and again had t to subdue him to a dead 

 stand still, as indeed I had to do more than once afterwards, it 

 seemed in fact as if this fish was possessed of many lives as a cat ; till 

 at length a sufficient portion of the barrier was cut away to enable 

 me to guide my line safely to the bank, when sticking in my rod 

 and guiding in the fish with my bent fore finger, I stooped down 

 and flung him motionless upon the grass ; and never I believe, with 

 the exception of the first trout I caught, did I feel so much satisfac- 

 tion as I did in seeing this one, though in size as I before remark- 

 ed it did not quite come up to the one I had before taken on that 

 day. This concluded my first day's essay at minnow spinning, nor 

 has I believe the most successful one I have since enjoyed afforded 

 me more real gratification than the result of my labours that one 

 afforded me. 



