128 The American Salmon-fisherman. 



Where shall he cast ? The fish are not impartially dis- 

 seminated through the water as though scattered from 

 a pepper-pot. In some localities they abound, in some 

 they are scarce, while others they avoid altogether. This 

 all-important question fortunately admits of a very easy 

 answer., Ask the gaffer. 



Unless personally acquainted with the individualities 

 of the stream he is about to fish, even the most experi- 

 enced is guided in great measure by reference to the 

 local knowledge of this functionary. Though an ac- 

 quaintance with the haunts of salmon elsewhere will aid 

 to locate them in an unfamiliar river, still it makes at 

 best but a prima-facie case. Places which seem to fur- 

 nish every requisite for a salmon elysium, are shunned 

 for others which apparently offer no special inducement. 



Nothing about salmon-fishing will probably astonish 

 the experienced trout-fisherman, if unprepared, more than 

 his first introduction to a "salmon-pool." I say probably, 

 since it may possibly resemble what he has been accus- 

 tomed to call a pool. In his mind the word "pool" calls 

 up a vision of a deep dark basin which looks as though it 

 might have its bottom almost anywhere this side of China. 

 A fall or heavy rapid thunders into its upper end, where 

 bubbles of foam are swept hither and thither by a maze 

 of eddies bordering a current which projects, tongue-like, 

 toward, and dies a quiet death in the centre of the pool. 

 Elsewhere the surface is still and oily, reflecting every 

 rock, tree, and fern upon its margin with mirror -like 

 fidelity. A dim religious light the light of the cloister 

 broods over the scene. The air is cool and damp, and 

 laden with the fragrance of the forest. It is the abode of 

 peace so distant from, so opposed to all that makes up 



