86 OBSERVATIONS ON A SALMON RIVER 



My rod bent and vibrated under the 

 struggles of a well-hooked fish. He soon 

 resented the strain on his liberty and made 

 a bold dash for the opposite side of the pool 

 and jumped clear of the surface, showing 

 his big silver body which glistened in the 

 strong sunlight. 



As he fell back into the river he dwelt a 

 second and then forged a long way up- 

 stream taking most of my line. He had 

 travelled far and his instinct no doubt told 

 him in what direction the spawning beds 

 were. 



My respect for this salmon had already 

 greatly increased; I therefore played the 

 fish with more than usual care and patience 

 but kept him moving, yet my casting line 

 was so light that I dared not take any 

 liberties. 



He stopped and jumped again and then 

 swam in large but decreasing circles around 

 the pool. 



As he came into full sight I noticed that 

 he was followed by a great stream of blood 



