PLEASURES OF ANGLING. 



landmarks, and because of the overflow, passed a 

 great many points where, before this piece of arti- 

 ficial vandalism (the high dam meaning) had 

 worked its work, we were wont to find our best 

 fishing. But after-success made ample amends for 

 our present disappointment. On the 27th of May 

 it was our good fortune to strike "the rapids" (so 

 called) near " Big Ox-bow," famous as a trout 

 haunt for a few days in the Spring, while the fish 

 are passing up stream from the lower waters. We 

 were apprehensive that the unparalleled high water 

 had destroyed this favorite resort, as it had a hun- 

 dred others. But our fears were unfounded. I 

 never knew the trout so abundant or so full of life. 

 In two hours we killed twenty fish, which weighed 

 31 J Ibs. one of them three pounds and a half, 

 plump. We could have quadrupled our catch dur- 

 ing the afternoon had we been so disposed. But 

 we could not use them, and we had no desire to 

 imitate the bad example of too many anglers, who 

 take fish as long as they will rise, even though they 

 are obliged to leave them on the shore to rot. 

 Many tons are thus destroyed every year by those 

 who lack the " quality of mercy " which is inherent 

 in the true angler. There should be a stringent 

 law against such shameful waste. It is as deserving 

 of the pillory as sheep-stealing. Others subse- 

 quently had great success at this same point ; but 



