salmon with tho first cast, and to be quite sure that 

 we were far enough away not to be seen. My idea 

 was that by placing the fly directly over the 

 salmon at first, I should be more successful than if 

 I whipped the water, increasing the length of line 

 with each cast; that method, as the pool was so still, 

 I thought would be more likely to frighten him. 

 My men placed the canoe in position, and after 

 waiting until all was quiet I began getting out my 

 lino by casting to the left, and, when the required 

 was iva-h'<l, lifted it easily and sent it 

 backward, to go forth again, as I intended, 

 as quietly and swiftly as it came. I imagine my 

 fly falling softly on the water; I see a huge salmon 

 rise to it and rush down the rapids. At last my 

 dream is realized ! Oh, what joy, what rapture ! 

 And to feel myself racing down the river on top of 

 the tumbling seas, with this huge fish occasionally 

 throwing himself clear of the water in his effort to 

 dislodge the hook, while James and William are 

 paddling for life, is a sensation which makes every 

 nerve in my body tingle with excitement. Sud- 

 denly the salmon stops. Shouting to the men to 

 back water, I commence to reel up the slack. "Go 

 on ! " I cry. " He is off again ! Hold on there, 

 James; he is up-stream now! No, by Jove! he is 

 going down-stream again ! " And away we go, 

 rushing down the river after him, trusting to find 

 some quiet spot where we hope safely to land the 



37 



