74: A TRIP TO THE LA VAL. 



river, forming a perilous swinging bridge by which one 

 could reach it dry-shod. Directly across a cool spring 

 brook entered the La Yal at a place where the shore was 

 a mass of overhanging underbrush. A pathway had 

 been cut through the woods by some previous salmon 

 fishers to the pools above and below ; and with the poles, 

 benches, boards and other insignificant but useful articles 

 left by our predecessors, our camping-ground combined 

 every requisite with many luxuries. At five o'clock 

 the tent was pitched, our necessary part of the arrange- 

 ments, the head-work done, and Walton and myself com- 

 menced fishing. We stood side by side upon the rock 

 already mentioned, and before dark had taken fifty-three 

 trout, weighing one hundred and twenty pounds. They 

 were most vigorous fish, and many a time did their con- 

 tinued runs almost exhaust our lines. We had fished at 

 Sault de Cochon with three flies ; on ascending the river 

 had diminished them to two, and now the fish themselves 

 coolly reduced them to one. Almost invariably, if we 

 struck two fish at a time, no matter what pains we took, 

 one broke away with the hook. After a short time, we 

 did not pretend to use more than one, and then had to 

 take great pains in removing it from the mouth to avoid 

 its being destroyed, so tough were the lips and strong the 

 teeth of these noble fish. Indeed, it was soon effectually 

 proved that any fly with the hackle wound from the 

 shoulder to the bind was worthless, the first fish biting 

 away the hackle, which should have been only wound 

 close to the head. Heretofore the destruction of my fly 

 had been a minor consideration, but now I found that I 

 must look to myself, or, although provided with over 



