DAYS ON THE NEPIGON. 



either falls, one can generally inveigle several 

 lusty trout into taking permanent shore leave. 

 It is almost a foregone conclusion with an 

 accompanying if, but above the island, near 

 the beginning of Pine Portage, is the veritable 

 water of promises, of promises rarely unful- 

 filled, for seldom the trout there even so< much 

 as hesitate, but wade in without any introduc- 

 tion in a charmingly unconventional manner. 

 Alive and kicking, they bid you welcome. It 

 is no trouble for them to show goods. Sit- 

 ting up and taking notice, they wag their 

 tails as dogs do' when glad to see you. Near 

 either shore or in the middle of the river, 

 three, four and five pounders are not uncom- 

 mon, and your next meal is almost assured. 



Suggest to your Indians that they place the 

 bow of the canoe as close as possible to that 

 black rock in midstream opposite the portage 

 above the island. There is plenty of white 

 water dashing around. Drop anchor there. 

 You are not likely to wait long for develop- 

 ments, nor will the guides pour into your ears 



the threadbare romance of somebody's last 

 21 



