HUNTING AND FISHING GROUNDS AND PLEASURE RESORTS. 15 
series of observations show the maximum 
temperature to be about eighty-five de- 
grees, the mean Summer temperature 
being about seventy-two degrees. This 
extraordinary dryness of the atmosphere 
has a fine, exhilarating effect on the sys- 
tem, especially for invalids, and renders 
the country free from annoying insects. 
Mosquitoes and black flies are unknown. 
The valleys have an average elevation 
of two thousand feet, and are generally 
well studded with farms and hamlets, 
but the mountains are, and for centuries 
to come will remain, wilderness. In 
them game is abundant, but in the set- 
tlements it is growing scarce. 
The valleys have each their principal 
stream, taking its rise in the northern 
slope of the Blue Ridge, and flowing in 
a northerly course through the Allegha- 
nies into the ‘Tennessee Valley. It is a 
remarkable fact that while the Blue 
Ridge has a lower elevation than its sis- 
ter chain, the streams all head in it, and 
run through the others, cutting deep 
chasms and gorges. It freqnently hap- 
pens that one may in the space of five 
minutes dip a cup of sparkling water 
from two springs, one sending its tribute 
down the southern slope to the Atlantic, 
the other in the opposite direction to the 
Gulf, to meet after months of wandering, 
having traversed every variety of soil 
and climate beneath a tropical sun, All 
of these streams are pretty well supplied 
with fish. In some they are very abun- 
dant, the pike and black bass of the 
South, both very game, being the most 
desirable. But it is the head waters 
and tributaries of these rivers where the 
joy of the angler’s heart—the speckled 
trout—is to be found in untold numbers. 
They are not large, seldom exceeding 
eighteen inches in length, and averaging 
not more than nine; but their great num- 
ber compensates for their size. Indeed, 
‘it is a question whether it is not better 
sport to whip one of these mountain 
streams, with the excitement continually 
at the boiling point, than casting lazily 
from a boat or clear shore with a strike 
once every three hours. It is no easy 
work to fish one of these streams. They 
come rushing down the mountain gorges, 
leaping over cascades, boiling, foaming, 
and roaring beneath the sombre balsam, 
hemlock, and rhododendron, often for 
miles without a ray of sunshine being 
able to penetrate the dense foliage. You 
must wade, and the water is decidedly 
cold, the current rapid and strong, and. 
the rocks—well, slick don’t express it. 
He who essays a day’s sport here must 
be prepared for anything in the way of a 
ducking. He will not go far before his 
heels fly up and his scalp is introduced 
to the acquaintance of the rocks at the 
bottom. 
Should anyone be disposed to visit the 
country, of which but an imperfect idea 
is here given, there are several routes 
open. Asheville is well situated for a 
starting point, being, geographically, in 
the centre of the region. From New 
York or any of the New England or 
Hastern States, the best: route is via 
Richmond, Danville, Salisbury to Old 
Fort by rail, thence across the ridge 
twenty-four miles by stage, a daily line 
connecting with railroad. From north- 
west via Louisville, Nashville, Knox- 
ville to Wolf Creek, thence by stage 
forty-four miles—a daily line. From the 
South either one of the routes mentioned 
will be found convenient. 
There does not exist on the face of the 
earth a people more honest and hospita- 
ble than in the mountains of Western 
North Carolina. They do not know how 
to cheat or extort, but in their humble 
