228 TRAVELS IN THE EIGHTIES. 



some years ago, though we omitted to ask him that 

 most critical and important question, namely, whether 

 he had himself visited the place. 



There is a sensible current at Heinola, where the 

 lakes once more contract, though it hardly amounts to 

 a rapid. However, where there exists a stream there 

 one may expect Salmo ferox, provided they frequent 

 the lakes from which it issues. But at Heinola the 

 advent of steam launches and increased traffic have 

 caused the fishing to deteriorate, coupled with the 

 important fact that fishing at Heinola seems to be the 

 chief amusement of the small population, who are 

 continually and for ever trailing baits to and fro for 

 pike, for rarely is a large trout caught now, and as 

 the boatman and every one else remarked, the fishing 

 was not worth troubling about. It was a fine evening 

 and almost every boat in the place was in use ; those 

 that were not occupied by a family party (who were 

 sure to be dragging a bait behind for pike) were 

 engaged in perch fishing. "We rarely saw in Finland 

 such a large percentage of anglers, which is saying a 

 great deal, for rods and lines are common property. 



At last a small perch gallantly sacrificed itself for 

 the reputation of the place and took our minnow, 

 though it must be allowed that our boatman was 

 hardly sober, and when we indicated by a wave of the 

 hand the course he was to take, would generally row 

 hard in the contrary direction and foul the line upon 

 the bottom. It was a pleasant evening, and every one 

 who had nothing better to do was on his way to catch 



