306 SPORT AND TRAVEL PAPERS 



more frequently, or river gauge as often examined as ours, until 

 presently that most useful institution disappeared altogether 

 below the surface, only to show its head again several days later. 

 Not until three long weeks had passed did the river very gradually 

 become fishable, but for long after it remained far above its best 

 level. However, patience would not bear too great a strain, so 

 in spite of high and snow-water, east winds and sleet, pretty 

 invitations in the shape of minnow and fly were sent out, only to 

 be disdainfully refused by the fish. The one consolation during 

 all this trying time was that while the flood lasted no net would 

 stand against it, and salmon could come up without hindrance ; 

 therefore by the end of February we had every reason to think 

 that a goodly company of fresh-run fish had assembled in our 

 water. From the 8th of February to the 2nd of March no fish 

 touched my hook, but on that day I was the proud possessor of 

 my first, a 14-lb. salmon. 



This particular river is known for three things : the great 

 number of kelts, the weight of its fish during the first six weeks 

 or two months of the season, and, thirdly, for their sulkiness 

 and deplorable want of keenness to take minnow or fly ; of 

 course, one or more of the hundred odd excuses for salmon 

 not taking could always be made, yet they thoroughly deserved 

 the epithet " sulky " brutes, an expression often heard on the 

 river. They did not rise or show as frequently as salmon do on 

 other rivers ; certainly the big fish did not kelts bounded out 

 of the water occasionally, but the heavy fresh-run salmon showed 

 but rarely. Now and then, however, there was the big roll or 

 heavy splash which is so inspiriting to the angler, doubly keen 

 to try the fascinations of his fly or minnow where fish are 

 known to lie. On one occasion our ears were thrilled by a 

 mighty splash it sounded like that of a 100-pounder at least 

 but on looking round the bend of the river for signs of the 

 commotion all hope vanished, for the cause was not a big fish 

 but a wretched cow which had fallen in from the high bank 

 and was struggling in the water and disturbing the fish for 

 many yards around. Thus suddenly are hopes raised only to 

 be as suddenly dashed to the ground ! The river seemed full of 

 kelts, from those with the slimmest of waists to the well-mended 

 ones, often difficult to tell from a good fish. They took any bait 

 and some were very lively, but their frolics and strength did not 



