To Mountain Tarn 



Only yesterday, in the stream hard by, the rising 

 was quite eager, in pleasant contrast with the 

 sluggishness of months. 



Night fishing comes earlier ; indeed, it is the 

 month of night fishing. It is no longer a waiting 

 through an unfading twilight. One who does not 

 care for a whole night of the stream may stroll 

 out about eight o'clock, cast for two hours over 

 the dimming surface, and then walk home through 

 the dark. Perhaps the most delightful form of 

 fishing while it lasts, and that which leaves the 

 most charming impression. It deepens the mys- 

 tery, which is the spell of the sport. 



Trout are in perfect condition in August, fed 

 upon summer flies into fatness and symmetry of 

 mould. One is worth having. Anglers, like 

 gunners, are too much given to the big-basket 

 theory, to measure the day's success by the 

 weight and often by the number. And just so 

 far they come short of being sportsmen. My 

 most delightful day of late only yielded one fish, 

 but it was large, lively, and lightly hooked. 

 With that pleasing flutter within, I watched the 

 scouring of the line, felt the impatient tugging 

 when he had got as much as I cared to give, 

 followed the reluctant passage down the stream 

 till the white side was turned up. How firm the 

 flesh was, and what power of muscle as he curved 

 in the hand. It was enough. With each fresh 

 capture the delicacy of the sensation would have 



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