Surendal. 155 



I have heard many anglers who have visited Norway 

 for a series of years declare that, regardless of the sport 

 experienced during their visits, it is " the life " they 

 enjoy — and the enjoyment appears to increase in propor- 

 tion to the number of their annual visits — it is the charm 

 of the country. 



The season which I attempt to describe proved to be 

 a late one, and although a few odd fish fell victims to our 

 party early on, it was not before a couple of weeks 

 that a considerable run of fish took place ; but time 

 passed pleasantly as we made acquaintance with the 

 neighbourhood and our native companions in sport — 

 while hosts of thrushes, blackbirds, and redwings held 

 evening chorus upon the hillside. 



This mountain scenery was entrancing under summer 

 sun and azure sky, but such was not its grandest mood, 

 for as within a few short hours the climate changed, and 

 the lowlands were shrouded in rain-mists, while the snow- 

 wreaths swirled on high. Nature, as a wild beast who 

 knows not restraint, became magnificent in her fiercest 

 temper. 



From the commencement of the month of June fine 

 summer weather may not unreasonably be expected, but 

 the elements obey no fixed laws, and, as upon the occasion 

 of my first visit to the country, the weather during the 

 summer months may be wild, cold, and stormy. 



^ 



