42 



" From my former experience, the first glance at the river as- 

 sured me we should have good sport. Instantly our fishing rods 

 ■were got ready, and taking Jean Gros with us — a habitant who 

 had accompanied me on former occasions, we descended the 

 steep bank, got into his crazy canoe, and we ferried across to 

 the best part of the stream. 



" There was a large granite boulder in the river, in the wake of 

 which I had formerly hooked many a fine fish. At the very first 

 throw here I rose a large salmon ; but although he appeared 

 greedy enough, he missed the fly. On these occasions — parti- 

 cularly so early in the season — the best and most experienced 

 anglers will feel a slight palpitation, arising from a struggle of 

 opposite emotions — ^hope of success — doubt of failure — and uncer- 

 tainty and curiosity as to the size of the fish. Giving my finny 

 friend time to resume the position at the bottom he had quitted, 

 and to compose himself, I then threw the fly lightly over him — 

 communicating to it that slight motion which imitates life. He 

 instantly darted at the glittering deception, and I found him fast 

 on my line. After a moment's wonderment he dashed madly 

 across the river, spinning out the line merrily, and making the reel 

 " discourse eloquent music." This fish did not stop inhis career 

 until nearly touching the opposite bank, when he turned — made 

 another run for the middle, and then commenced a course of 

 leaping, a yard or two out of the water. This is a dangerous 

 time, and here unskilful anglers most frequently lose their fish ; 

 for each leap requires a corresponding movement of the arms 

 and body to preserve the proper tension of the line. In fact, on 

 these occasions a good angler will make a low courtesy to his 

 fish. I played this active gentleman fully three quarters of an 

 hour, when he gave up the contest, and I gaffed and secured my 

 prize — a beautiful male fish, in fine season, weighing twenty-five 

 pounds. 



" We continued at our sport till mid-day, when it became too 

 hot and clear. By this time my companion had caught a num- 

 ber of large salmon trout, and I had picked up two more salmon 

 and several trout of the same description ; marked with the most 



