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handle was always very useful as a point Wappui to leeward on 

 these occasions. The hole consists of a strong current on the 

 farther side, overhung hy a high precipice, crowned with wood, 

 and a deep eddy on the nearer ; at the commencement of which 

 — just where the stream begins a, long course of rapids — is a 

 comparatively quiet spot, where the fish are much in the habit of 

 resting after surmounting the strong water. 



When the sun began to shew a glimpse or two of his radiant 

 morning face through the branches of the trees, on the high bank 

 opposite, I here hooked a large salmon, which at first allowed me 

 to lead him captive a hundred yards up the stream, and away 

 from the dangerous neighbourhood of the rapids. — But, as I was 

 beginning to think I should have little trouble with this quiet 

 gentleman, all at once he got into a towering passion — ^flung 

 himself half a dozen times out of the water, shaking his head 

 violently to get rid of the fly ; and then made a desperate race to 

 his old berth at the top of the rapid. Here I thought it probable 

 he would bring up — and he did halt for a few seconds — but then, 

 down the boiling stream he darted, until he had run out a line of 

 two hundred and forty yards. When it had reached the last turn 

 on the reel I proceeded after him as far as I could ; wading deep 

 along a rocky ledge ; but when the water got up to my elbows I 

 began to consider the case as nearly hopeless — stopped and gave 

 butt — ^whilst Mr. Salmo was plunging and making summersaults 

 so far down the river as to be reduced in apparent size to one- 

 third of his bulk. All at once, to my great surprise, he became 

 suddenly quite passive, and I wound up the long line without 

 difficulty, having only the vis inertia of the fish and strength of 

 the current to overcome. Back, therefore, we both came to the 

 head of the rapid, and then to the deep hole, the fish turning up 

 his white belly and appearing much distressed. He was soon 

 gaffed, and turned out a fine shaped salmon of seventeen pounds, 

 quite fresh from the St. Lawrence. The secret of his sudden suc- 

 cumbing and quietude when he had it all his own way was this 

 — when tumbling in the stream he had somehow twisted the 



