LAKE SUPERIOR. 79 



joined the river, and the cast being a long one, I 

 extended my line and dropped the fly just where 

 the two currents met. It was taken instantly by a 

 fish that, after fifteen minutes' vigorous play, was 

 landed and found to weigh two and a half pounds. 



That inaugurated our sport, and was followed by 

 the capture of at least two dozen magnificent trout, 

 that were not only immense in size, averaging nearly 

 three pounds, but were extremely beautiful and un- 

 commonly vigorous. Their tints were rich and dark, 

 differing as greatly from the lake fish as the trout 

 of the Canadian rivers differ from those of the salt 

 water. They fought with great courage and per- 

 severance, requiring skill and patience to land ; and 

 anxious as we were to take a large one, that is to 

 say, one of over four pounds, those of two and 

 three pounds were so numerous and voracious that 

 we could not effect our object. 



We landed some by hand and threw many back 

 into the water, but, notwithstanding, soon had 

 more than we could possibly use. There being no 

 reason for our taking any more, and Don having com- 

 plained that the cast was inconveniently long on 

 account of the imperfections of his rod, I assured 

 him I could cast entirely across the pool, and to 

 prove it, lengthened my line, and at the first cast 

 hooked fast in the rock beyond. Not caring to 

 break the line, we dropped the boat across the 

 stream, and while passing over the pool, beheld the 

 bottom literally black with fish. If we had been 

 inclined to wanton destruction, we could doubtless 



