SALMON AND TROUT MEMORIES 



weight. Some of the party were harling on the lake ; others 

 were exploring a distant fjeld. But we had an expedition 

 and a purpose of our own. About lo a.m. accordingly found 

 us where the stream issued from the lake, duly equipped with 

 a nine-foot split cane rod, and tackle to match, also with wading 

 stockings and all complete, intent on seriously fishing down- 

 stream to the falls below, with a view to ascertaining how many 

 trout one rod could catch in an ordinary reasonable working 

 day. Ole carried the landing-net and luncheon bag ; also 

 the fish as caught. 



We started with a 2-pounder in the first five minutes. 

 Just where the lake began to merge into the stream, in the neck 

 above the first pool — always in my experience a good taking 

 spot for large trout — our flies, a cast of three, were gently 

 dropped across the water. At once came a good rise, and, 

 after a preliminary half-pounder or two, a bigger boil than 

 usual at the tail fly, but without a touch, caused a change of 

 lure. A small golden spoon was deftly cast across the stream, 

 then came a check, a strike, and the light rod was bending 

 double. After some minutes' hard play a 2-pounder was 

 duly netted, and our desire for some quality of size was par- 

 tially satisfied. But we were out for numbers that day. So, 

 after extracting another good pounder from the next pool 

 below, our cast of three flies was replaced, common or garden 

 Scotch loch-trout flies of ordinary variety, and we laid our- 

 selves out to show the said flies to as many trout as possible. 

 With intervals of quiet, particularly at midday, the trout took 

 well that day. Nor did they show either severely restricted 



"5 



