58 A RIVER OF NORWAY 



replied unhesitatingly splendide mendax that 

 they would not look at one. I learnt later 

 that he remarked to Anders that they must 

 not let us use a prawn, or we should give up 

 fly-fishing ; and I loved him for his timely 

 falsehood. With a wisdom all his own, he 

 gauged the angler's weakness. 



Late in the season, when salmon will not 

 take a fly, or in water which is not suitable 

 for fly-fishing, I cannot see that there is any 

 objection to the use of bait. It is only as de- 

 structive of the finer sport, when and where 

 possible, that it is to be deplored. And on this 

 view of the matter we base our practice here. 



Attractive as is our tidal water in its vary- 

 ing moods, and for its sure promise of sport, 

 we have perhaps in the persistent fishing of 

 the past month worn it a little threadbare. 

 Such excursions as we have made to the upper 

 waters have met with no success, and we 

 have hurriedly returned to our former haunts, 

 with the air of men who have survived a 

 forlorn hope. But unless the habits of fish 

 have undergone a radical change, they ought 

 now to be found above the Fos. It is high 

 time for us to seek pastures new. 



