122 NEW BRUNSWICK. 



ever, the encouragement that the freshet had destroyed 

 the nets and let the fish up to the higher grounds. 



Next day we killed our first fish of the season. I had 

 gone above the island at the head of the pool opposite 

 our camp, and was fishing slowly down, taking occasion- 

 ally a brook trout, when there came a heavier rise, a 

 louder plash, and a fierce run that made my reel discourse 

 sweetly. The fish had struck me in the broken water, 

 and it was uncertain what he was till suddenly he sprang 

 twice his length out of water, showing the silvery sides 

 and gleaming scales of the lovely grilse ; again and 

 again he sprang in air, making the water fly as he fell 

 back, and doing his best to break the line or shake out 

 the hook. Bravely he fought, taking advantage of the 

 current to run out line, and rubbing against rocks to cut 

 it through^ In vain, foiled at each attempt, his strength 

 rapidly diminishing, he was slowly brought nearer and 

 nearer, till a dexterous blow of the gaff finished the 

 struggle. 



Joyful at the good omen, we hastened to our camp, 

 and were met by my companion, Dalton, who proudly 

 exhibited a similar trophy. There was a grand supper 

 that night, and strong hopes that the flood would abate, 

 hopes that were destined to a cruel disappointment when 

 next day the stream was found to* be higher than ever, 

 and heavy clouds portended a second deluge. 



Our next camp was at Still Water Brook, a.,name that 

 the present condition of that streamlet strongly belied. 

 We did not, however, remain long, our sport being con- 

 fined to grilse, and not many of those, and when an Eng- 

 lish ofiicer, who had been fishing above, called to say he 



