ON RAPID STREAMS. 145 



them concealed, is bat little disturbed by such as 

 fish only from the bank. In this way, late in tho 

 season, I have had excellent sport in the double 

 waters, when the waters had long been too low 

 to attract the fishermen to their banks, save an 

 occasional one or two, who for exercise (I should 

 imagine not fishing) have made their appearance 

 in the evening, to whip the water, with long- lines 

 and collar, little flies and fine fishing. It has 

 seemed occasionally that these midnight wanderers 

 have been pleased with their success, and actually 

 have now and then caught a dozen or so cer- 

 tainly, I will admit, a greater number than they 

 could have caught by day. But how often have 

 I thought, if* to these would-be fishermen such 

 satisfaction is afforded by their ideas of fishing, 

 how great would be their delight could they open 

 their eyes and with clear vision see the whole 

 system of fishing ! How truly enchanted would 

 they be with the true sport of fishing ! sport, 

 when a man goes forth boldly and defies the finny 

 tribes in open day and glorious sunshine, confi- 

 dent to engage with them on their own terms, 

 and careful only to discover he is entering tho 

 contest armed with rightly selected weapons, with 

 whose full powers he is so familiar and confident, 

 that he feels certain of victory : nor has he long 

 to wait ; he advances and attacks, conquers, and 

 again renews in different ground, with different 

 tactics, his contest, so surely to be regarded by 

 gratifying success. Ah ! who can enter into the 

 spirit of the sport of fishing, but he who is born a 



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