178 GOLDEN DAYS 



gratulatory pipe before we could open our 

 bag to get out the vin rouge and cold 

 chicken. 



Lunch over, Jean Pierre was soon at it 

 again, and his third cast was rewarded by 

 a splendid head and tail rise in mid-stream. 

 This fish was well hooked, and conse- 

 quently was allowed no undue liberties. 

 Each furious rush was firmly dealt with 

 and eventually checked. Once the salmon 

 tried a somersault, but met only the 

 looped line for his trouble. An attempt 

 at boring in deep water was countered 

 by a steady and relentless side strain. 

 Soon the vibrations of the rod conveyed 

 the message that the struggle was nearly 

 at an end, till at length the fish rolled over 

 on the surface and slowly but surely 

 yielded inch by inch to the winding line 

 and fate. My spring-balance allowed him 

 11^ lbs. : a fresh-run fish and as bright as 

 the first. A beautiful pair they made on 

 the bracken side by side, while Jean Pierre 

 fixed the fly afresh and chortled. 



We fished on down some of the best 

 water in the river, but did nothing. Indeed, 

 Jean Pierre worked over a certain pool of 



