190 DAYS STOLEN FOR SPORT 



permit the rod to aid me in this though the fish 

 was then floating on his side in mid-stream, and 

 I could do nothing but hold on with the line round 

 my hand hoping that by some means the handy 

 man would reach him. I was hopeful, when I saw 

 John land on a rock well out into the stream, that 

 he would be able to reach it, but he could not. 

 Just then it struggled afresh and the gillie, think- 

 ing the prize would go, stepped off the rock into 

 much above his high boots and gaffed him. 



Climatic conditions quickly alter in Glen Lyon 

 and have much effect upon its visitors. The frost 

 that locks the river to-day and sends them home 

 by its seemingly fixed determination to abide may 

 be gone to-morrow and the wires will be set to 

 work that bring numbers back to tread the river's 

 banks that once knew but few Spring-comers other 

 than myself. " Do I like the change?" Yes, and 

 stay the longer for it. I think it a pleasant break 

 to see the form and hear the voice of a brother 

 sportsman. I dislike an empty house ; my own 

 was quickly filled with little strangers some of 

 them are with me still who have grown to be 

 my best friends. When the company at the hotel 

 is a pleasant one much is learned, energies are 

 sharpened and there is more inclination for just 

 one more try before leaving off. The spur of 

 competition had much to do with my success that 

 season which was beyond all previous records, 

 thirty-four fish, which totalled 620 pounds, in 

 thirty-three days. My knowledge of the river 

 helped me much and the coiling tin I am sure gave 

 me some advantage. 



