128 The American Salmon-fisherman. 



Where shall he cast ? The fish are not impartially dis- 

 seminated through the water as though scattered from 

 a pepper-pot. In some localities they abound, in some 

 they are scarce, while others they avoid altogether. This 

 all-important question fortunately admits of a very easy 

 answer. Ash the gaffer. 



Unless personally acquainted with the individualities 

 of -the stream he is about to fish, even the most experi- 

 enced is guided in great measure b\' reference to the 

 local knowledge of this functionary. Though an ac- 

 quaintance with the haunts of salmon elsewhere will aid 

 to locate them in an unfamiliar river, still it makes at 

 best but a prima-facie case. Places which seem to fur- 

 nish every requisite for a salmon elysium, are shunned 

 for others which apparently offer no special inducement. 



Nothing about salmon-fishing will probably astonish 

 the experienced trout-fisherman, if unprepared, more than 

 his first introduction to a "salmon-pool." I say probably, 

 since it may possibly resemble what he has been accus- 

 tomed to call a pool. In his mind the word "pool" calls 

 up a vision of a deep dark basin which looks as though it 

 might have its bottom almost anywhere this side of China. 

 A fall or heavy rapid thunders into its upper end, where 

 bubbles of foam are swept hither and thither by a maze 

 of eddies bordering a current which projects, tongue-like, 

 toward, and dies a quiet death in the centre of the pool. 

 Elsewhere the surface is still and oily, reflecting every 

 rock, tree, and fern upon its margin with mirror -like 

 fidelity. A dim religious light — the light of the cloister 

 — ^broods over the scene. The air is cool and damp, and 

 laden with the fragrance of the forest. It is the abode of 

 peace — so distant from, so opposed to all that makes up 



