SPECKLED TROUT 



branch above the lake, just where a ray of light 

 from the setting sun fell full upon it ! A mere crim- 

 son point, and yet how it offset that dark, sombre 

 background! 



I have thus run over some of the features of an 

 ordinary trouting excursion to the woods. People in- 

 experienced in such matters, sitting in their rooms 

 and thinking of these things, of all the poets have 

 sung and romancers written, are apt to get sadly 

 taken in when they attempt to realize their dreams. 

 They expect to enter a sylvan paradise of trout, cool 

 retreats, laughing brooks, picturesque views, and 

 balsamic couches, instead of which they find hun- 

 ger, rain, smoke, toil, gnats, mosquitoes, dirt, broken 

 rest, vulgar guides, and salt pork; and they are very 

 apt not to see where the fun comes hi. But he who 

 goes in a right spirit will not be disappointed, and 

 will find the taste of this kind of life better, though 

 bitterer, than the writers have described. 



