A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE 167 



However, after coming up behind him, 

 there, sure enough, was a salmon of about 

 12 lb., Ijdng in less than 3 ft. of water and 

 fully exposed. Intent on making a nearer 

 inspection, I cautiously advanced until getting 

 within a few feet of the fish's tail, where I 

 could see the eyes and every scale on its body. 

 I then carefully backed out without disturbing 

 the fish, and, together, we returned to the 

 bank to consider the situation. We had 

 nothing in the shape of salmon tackle, nor 

 would it have been of any use, in a legitimate 

 way, even had we possessed it. After con- 

 sulting for more than half an hour, we came 

 to the conclusion there was nothing to be done 

 by fair means ; but the day, so far, had been 

 blank, and here was a fish literally within our 

 grasp. We determined, therefore, if possible, 

 to " grasp " it. So, divesting myself of coat 

 and tucking up my sleeves, I again waded out 

 to the spot and found the salmon in the very 

 same position. But this time I got still closer, 

 practically standing over him, so that I could 

 now clearly observe the gills functioning in a 

 perfectly regular and normal way, which fact 

 convinced me there was nothing wrong with 

 the fish, though why he permitted so close an 

 approach was more or less of a mystery. 

 Now or never, thought I, so bending over 



