176 A SPRING AND SUMMER IN LAPLAND. 



a fish I much wanted to study in its native waters. 

 Moreover, I was sure that I should receive a 

 hearty welcome in " Bachelor's Hall/' and that the 

 longer I stayed the better would my host be pleased. 



I left home early on one of those lovely mild 

 mornings which we occasionally enjoy, even in 

 these northern climes, in the fall of the year. Our 

 way lay partly through the forests, partly by boat, 

 for about ten miles up a large stream, the " Bye 

 Elfven," which runs from the little northern town 

 of Arvika down to the Lake Wenern. Of course 

 I took my trolling tackle with me, although our 

 fishing season, especially for pike, was nearly over. 

 A walk of about six miles through the forest 

 brought us to the river- side, where I hired a boat 

 of a jolly cobbler, who, being himself a bit of a 

 fisherman, volunteered to accompany us. It is 

 true he had lots of work, which must stand still 

 during his absence; but the love of sport was 

 strong within him ; and as he knew every inch 

 of the stream, I gladly accepted his offer, gave 

 him a couple of shillings for his loss of time, and 

 off we started. 



The morning was all that an angler could 

 wish, mild as spring, with just breeze enough up 

 the stream to raise a slight ripple on the water. 

 But the bright yellow leaves of the birch which 

 fringed the banks of the river, and that peculiar 



