202 THe Aroostook Woops. 

bark or paper (the size governed by the wind) about mid- 
way between the loop hanging on the bud and the water, and 
with this the wind keeps the line moving up and down, doing 
the bobbing. 
‘cH! is that a bite?” 
‘¢ Nay, nay, it’s only the wind.” 
‘¢ Like to bet you.” 
‘“‘Ah ha! it’s a good bite; he has the blower in the water 
(the slack has caught on somehow,) see him thrash the bush 
down in the water. Go it Joe!” 
He is pulled out hand over hand and allowed no slack to 
turn with, until he lies flipping upon the ice. How clean 
and silvery bright he looks, rolling over and over, and trying 
many times to stand upon his head. He is immediately cared 
for, placed in the snow of fine ice, from the choppings, away 
from the sun and air. We keep strictly to business now, as 
the lines are often being twitched down. There seems to be 
a fine school below us; it is about their feeding time, too; 
besides, ‘‘ when the wind is in the south, it blows the bait in 
the fish’s mouth.” 
Near the middle of the day, the trout do not bite readily, 
and often keep away, until late in the afternoon. This time 
is improved in catching the pretty little silver red fin for bait, 
using a tiny hook and very small bait. He is often nibbling 
at this time, but hidden in the grass, when the trout are on 
the rampage. 
Aware that quick changes often come with little warning, 
we take a half hour while it is so pleasant, to build our barri- 
cade. A few forked stakes are let into the ice, braced and 
withed, a dozen small poles for rafters and a small shelter tent 
over these, completes the wind break; and now, should old 
