110 A RIVER OF NORWAY 



yours, and darn me if I can see how you think 

 you're going to make it pay." 



Although, as I have already stated, we have 

 never had any occasion to suspect that fish 

 are unlawfully killed in the ladder, where they 

 might be slaughtered wholesale, yet there is 

 a certain amount of poaching with rod and 

 line in the upper waters. Worms are the 

 favourite bait. Very little is done in this way 

 during our stay ; but in August, when we are 

 usually succeeded by friends who come to fish 

 for that month, there is much cause for com- 

 plaint. It is a curious feature that the poacher 

 is often the actual owner of the water or his 

 near relation. It is doubtful if many fish are 

 killed, but it is not exactly encouraging to 

 suspect that a bunch of worms has been run 

 through a pool an hour before you begin to 

 fish it with a fly. 



There is some excuse for this practice in 

 August. Years ago the English tenant never 

 thought of fishing as late as that and as soon 

 as his back was turned, the natives fished at 

 their own discretion ; and if a man fishes his 

 own water who, except his tenant, shall say 

 him nay ? But it has been discovered that a 



