TROUT FISHING IN MAINE. 269 



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 

 ricochet ting towards the other, now divided by abrupt 

 rocks of irregular outline, 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, thirty or 

 forty yards beneath the falls, on the right-hand side. 

 From this place a person may work for hours with con- 

 stant success. However, if the visitor be of an adven- 

 turous disposition and fears not to wade, the opposite 

 shore is well worthy of attention ; but as the bottom 

 is extremely 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 consequence. I should advise the constant use 

 of the handle of your landing net to feel and guide 

 your steps, on no account permitting the excitement 

 of hooking a large fish to make you lose your head. 



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



