AUSTRALIAN FISHES 115 



pated that the cod — like our Enghsh perch — 

 would be on the feed the whole day. And so 

 it turned out. 



We pitched upon a spot where there was a back 

 eddy from the current which at no part of the 

 river ran too swiftly, and after casting in some 

 grubs and morsels of meat we waited five minutes 

 and then commenced operations, baiting our 

 paternosters with a couple of lobs to each 

 hook. 



Ten minutes, and no sign of a bite ! Then I 

 felt a tremendous tug, as if a diver had signalled 

 from below. I struck sharply, and off darted what 

 seemed to be a small porpoise. Nearly all the 

 line ran out ; then the strain suddenly ceased, and 

 I was able to haul in my catch — a fine Murray cod 

 of thirty pounds weight, in perfect condition. More 

 ground bait, and my friend caught one about the 

 same size. 



Then we went further down the bank, repeatedly 

 shifting our ground, never catching more than 

 one or two specimens at the same place. Noon 

 brought luncheon and a welcome rest, as our 

 arms ached with continually pulling at the lines. 

 But we went at it again, keeping on until near 

 sunset, and had such good sport that we nearly 

 filled the boat. We were able to send fish to 



