PICTURESQUE SCENERY. 345 



above, our readers will see that midsummer is not the 

 season to select for a visit to this picturesque neigh- 

 bourhood, even supposing that the flies and mosquitoes 

 were less numerous ; but even if the sport was then to 

 be enjoyed to perfection, the assaults of the insatiable 

 pests would render the most fascinating pleasure of fly- 

 fishing a perfect labour. 



Turning from the house, a foot-path, sufficiently 

 clear to permit you to carry your rod ready for work, 

 leads oft* to the right, and soon you reach the river, 

 tumbling with a headlong, impetuous rush through 

 several flood-gates and a shoot.* The river above and 

 below the fall is lovely, yet almost the opposite in 

 effect. Looking towards the lake the water is placid 

 and calm, with islands and bays, covered or sheltered 

 with trees, reposing in quiet peace, while beneath the 

 fall, from the effects of the descent, a broad course of 

 white foam water rushing with headlong speed, first 

 striking one margin, then ricochetting towards the 

 other, now divided by abrupt rocks of irregular out- 

 line, or swaying round in real whirlpools, descends 

 on its uncontrollable route. The best stand to fish 

 from, for those who object to wet feet, is a rock about 

 the size of a waggon, thirt}" or forty yards beneath 

 the falls, on the right-hand side. From this place a 

 person may work for hours with constant success. 

 However, if the visitor be of an adventurous dis- 

 position and fears not to wade, the opposite shore is 

 well worthy of attention ; but as the bottom is ex- 

 tremely rough and irregular, and in some parts the 

 current very strong, care must be taken not to make a 

 false step or stumble, as fatal results might be the 

 * A smooth incline, down which the logs are floated. 



