576 AMERICAN ANGLER'S BOOK. 



on him last summer a score of old flies, a used-up leader, 

 and a limp old rod. He offered me the liberal sum of two 

 shillings for the very implement I have in my hand now ; 

 and to buy three flies from me at four cents apiece. Halloo, 

 Paul ! what have you done with the rod I gave you caught 

 many Trout with it this season ? Come over the creek, you. 

 and your brother, and get me some dry wood, and gather a 

 handful or two of the furze from that old birch to light it with. 

 I'll give you a pair of flies real gay ones. 



Dining alone may be counted almost the only drawback to 

 one's taking a day to himself, and you are glad of any stray 

 native who is attracted by the smoke of your fire. Your 

 whiskey is beyond a peradventure, better than he has in his 

 cupboard at home; he is invariably out of tobacco a chew or 

 a pipeful, and a swig at your flask, will make him communi- 

 cative. If he has not already dined, he will readily accept a 

 roasted Trout and a piece of bread and butter, and while eat- 

 ing will post you as to all the Trout-streams within ten miles. 



It is, therefore, a matter of policy to cultivate the good 

 feeling of the natives, the boys especially, as stones are 

 of very convenient size along the creek to throw at a surly 

 fisherman. A few of "Conroy's journal -flies," which have 



