SALMON RIVERS. 635 



and in the mean time questioned John as to what the fish would probably 

 do as she dropped towards the lower end of the pool — " Will she go over 

 the pitch ?" " Most likely,'' said John. " Head foremost, with a rush ?" 

 " No, sir, sideways or tail foremost." A gleam of molten silver, a sweep 

 of her broad tail, and over she went with a lazy wollop. I guided her 

 through the swift water between the rooks. One more swirl and a roll, 

 as with a taut line I pressed her in shore and held her quiet in a little 

 eddy, when Peter waded in hip deep and gaffed her. Weight 16 lbs. My 

 first Salmon, killed with rod and fly of my .own make. 



I thought I had been humbugged about the pluck and endurance of 

 Salmon ; a Bass of the same size would have given more sport, I said — 

 " Wait awhile, sir," replied John ; "the water is warm to-day, and they 

 are loggish." I then fished the other pools, some half dozen, without get- 

 ting a rise. Supped on the fat belly portion of my Salmon broiled — ate 

 rather too much to sleep well ; walked on the rocks, smoked, and went to 

 bed, musquito net working to a charm. Black flies have been bad to-day. 

 Indians spearing on the river opposite their reserve, four or five hundred 

 yards above. 



July 7th. — Rose at 4£. Fished the pool where I hooked my fish yester- 

 day, and then the others, without a rise, until I got to middle pool, where 

 I hooked and killed a 12-pound fish. Neither of the fish I have killed 

 have run off thirty yards of line. My rod is very stiff and unwieldy to 

 one accustomed to casting for Trout with an 8-ounce rod of twelve feet. 

 If I make another of seventeen feet, it shall be much more pliant. Not a 

 rise this afternoon. Praying for rain ; some hopes as I am going to bed — 

 deep muttering thunder. 



July 8th. — There was a splendid thunderstorm and vivid lightning last 

 night, but very little rain. Opened my tent-door and looked out on the 

 river — gorgeous — this morning there is not a cloud as large as the hand of 

 the prophet's servant. Day hot, bright— no fishing. Walked two hundred 

 yards above the camp, and killed a good string of Brook Trout at the 

 mouth of a little spring branch. 



July 9th. — Tried the pools before breakfast, all to no purpose. Returned, 

 took a swim, and, with John as my counsellor, while eating breakfast 

 decided to move up to " Chain of Rocks." Found the road on the opposite 

 side of the river and walked to Papineau Falls, while the men poled up 

 and made the portage. I here visited Captain Brown and Lieutenant 

 Davis. Embarked, pushed up the river, and fished a pool a mile above 

 Papineau, where I hooked a good fish, and after playing it ten minutes, 



