DOWN IN THE DEEP VALLEYS BY THE STREAMS 71 



that in the lower reaches of the great rivers, where the 

 white mud gets deposited, and the water flows out into 

 the plains and ceases to tumble over rocks like a roaring 

 torrent, that at certain seasons excellent fishing is ob- 

 tained, and the fish run very big — seventy pounds or a 

 hundred pounds is not uncommon. Here it is best to 

 fish from an elephant, as the rivers are far too big to fish 

 from the bank, and wading is not very safe. Alligators 

 of immense size, which abound in the plains, can come 

 up almost into the lower hills, and naturally interfere 

 with mahseer fishing. 



Of course, in the rains, when these rivers rise into 

 immense cataracts, fishing ceases. It is therefore a critical 

 thing to hit off the right moment and the right place to go 

 to enjoy the pleasures of mahseer fishing to perfection, 

 and the movements of the fish require, as in the case of 

 salmon, more study. I have seen great shoals of big 

 mahseer following one another in strings, all going up 

 stream in the clear waters of the Kosila. This was in 

 the month of May. I have fished successfully for mahseer 

 from August to November, and in lower streams all 

 through the cold weather, and have had both bad and 

 good times ; but the good times made up for the bad, 

 and it is a noble sport. The pleasures of fishing are 

 enhanced by the beautiful scenery and wUdness of the 

 numerous rivers which cut through the Himalayas ; also 

 there is always a likelihood of getting a shot at game, 

 big and little, in the neighbourhood of the rivers, and 

 a gun should be carried by a chaprasi accompanying 

 the fisherman. A good gun-bearer, who will be always 

 close by at the proper moment, and will hand the second 

 gun to the shooter and not run away, is a valuable man, 

 and one not to be ill-used or scolded, much less beaten. 

 Rather should he be treated as a friend and a gentleman, 



