LAKE SUPERIOK. 125 



Moosehead Lake. On taking the fly and experienc- 

 ing the astonishing disappointment, they make one 

 rush like their fellow-sufferers the salmon, and find- 

 ing the pain clings to them, they leap with the 

 energy of grilse with wild repetition, in the vain 

 hope of shaking the tormenting barb from their lips. 

 ISTor do they resign themselves after a feeble strug- 

 gle, but retain strength for many a rush when the 

 ugly net is exhibited, often smashing tackle, carry- 

 ing off leaders, and breaking tips in the course of 

 the contest. Their colors are exquisitely delicate, 

 their backs transparent mottled green, their sides 

 of pearly whiteness, marked with brilliant carmine 

 specks and faint blue spots, and their fins of the hue 

 of clouded cream. Their flesh is flaky and rich, 

 seamed with curd, and delicious to the hungry 

 sportsman. 



After having fished from Labrador to the Missis- 

 sippi, and killed trout in every State where trout 

 are to be killed, I am satisfied that the fishing of 

 Lake Superior surpasses that of any other region on 

 our continent, and is, as a natural consequence, the 

 best in the world. 



There are several remarkable peculiarities of scen- 

 ery, among which are the pictured rocks and the 

 sand dunes ; and the sparkling lake, when, stirred by 

 a gentle breeze, is beautiful in the effulgence of the 

 .vertical summer sun ; but the forests are gloomy 

 and sombre, nearly impenetrable on account of fallen 

 trees, and in the lower lands grown up with vast 

 ferns, those evidences of the antiquity of our conti- 



