to the river to see the large hole that was left in 

 the water by the monster fish after I had pulled him 

 out." 



IT IS TRUE. 



Whenever the waters that contribute the fish life 

 exist there may also be found colonies of fishermen 

 who delight in displaying their accomplishments. The 

 individuals who comprise them take pride in contesting 

 for honors by displaying their skill with rod and reel 

 and what they accomplish is always accepted without 

 much discussion ; the fellow who is defeated finding 

 satisfaction in knowing that another opportunity will 

 offer to undo his rival. There is of record, a 

 feat performed by that earnest disciple Walter S. 

 Harban of Washington; which will long stand as a 

 leading accomplishment and it cannot be fully disputed 

 because the well known guide John Leipold was an 

 unexpected witness to the remarkable exploit. The 

 Doctor was casting for small-mouth black bass with 

 that beauty and touch which characterizes his work, 

 when he hooked on he supposed a tremendous fish. 

 Allowing ample play for security and sport, reeling 

 slowly and playing first to right and then to left, he 

 finally brought to mouth of the landing net not one, 

 but two good sized fish, one of which was hooked to 

 the two naught sproat hook and the other to the 

 swivel hook from which his leader was suspended. 

 This was an occasion when the experienced bass artist 

 doubted at once the wonderful luck that had come 

 / to him. It was nevertheless a fact and has afforded 

 all his fearers to whom he relates the fact of genuine 

 interest. While doubt is for a moment in evidence 

 on the part of the listening ones, the dignified force 

 with which the affair is always related dispels all 

 doubt as to the genuineness of the catch. 



114 



