36 



RECREA TION. 



hole if not careful. The excitement of the 

 fishing is great and chances are often taken, 

 so amusing and chilly experiences are not 

 infrequent. A pair of old trousers, with 

 shoes joined at the ankles with a string, are 

 the best outfit for hard and successful work. 

 Hip boots are soon filled with water. The 

 spawning grounds, usually the level places 

 between the rapids in the shelter of over- 

 hanging alders, abound in deep holes. Here 

 it is necessary to work carefully along the 

 bank and patiently try the different kinds 

 of bait, to overcome the shyness of the big 

 trout. Our minnows, kept hard and fresh 

 by the method of packing, proved the right 

 kind of bait, and tempted many trout, of 

 94 to 1^2 pounds in weight, to their death. 



Old logging corduroy bridges are favor- 

 ite retreats for the fish; but the angler must 

 be careful not to let a shadow of even the 

 rod flit above the still water, nor to jar the 

 logs by a careless step. 



Cautiously creeping through the tall 

 grass to these spots, you cast a fly or bait 

 into the current. With a rush the line is 

 pulled across the pool with a strength that 

 bespeaks a big one. The utmost skill is 

 needed to keep the fish from getting under 

 the logs or into the willows. Back, forward 

 and across goes the trout in its frantic en- 

 deavor to release itself. The struggle may 

 be long or short, but when a successful 

 landing is made, a chuckle of satisfaction 

 accompanies him into the creel. 



The hungry but successful anglers strag- 

 gled into camp one by one; every creel full. 

 Wade commenced to talk and clean fish, 

 with the appearance of the first man, and 

 he was kept busy for several hours. 



After dinner the fishermen lay around in 

 the shade, each one telling of his biggest 

 catch, and how it was done. 



One of the party, however, had not re- 

 turned; probably not wanting to come 

 back without a full catch, was the decision. 

 He had not taken a lunch, but would likely 

 roast a fish or two, and fill up on brook 

 water. 



The most enthusiastic again started out 

 at 4 o'clock, to fish the stream; while some 

 went to the lake. A beautiful little lake it 

 is, at the foot of a high hill, bordered on 

 one side by rocky cliffs; on the other by 

 hardwood timber that cast dark reflections 

 in the deep water along the shore. The 

 trout rose well, and our 5-ounce split- 

 bamboo rods were tried to their utmost. 

 The trout that had given up the creek for 



the cold spring lake, were gamy to the 

 last rush. 



Wade paddled the boat, and, wonder of 

 wonders, threats of a gag answered as well 

 as the real thing. Not a sound was heard 

 save the swish of the paddle and the sighing 

 of the wind through the treetops, with an 

 occasional exclamation as a good fish was 

 hooked or landed. Twilight approached 

 and the reflection of the trees became 

 darker, the murmur of the wind grew to a 

 weird roar, as one of the sudden storms of 

 the mountain foretold its coming. 



The rumble of thunder was heard afar, 

 and an exceptional day it would have been 

 without it, on this mountain; for it is right- 

 ly named. Probably from being daily ac- 

 customed to it, the trout did not cease 

 biting. The darker it grew, the more fre- 

 quent were the exciting splashes, tugs and 

 rushes, as the hungry fish, anxious for a last 

 morsel before dark, savagely took the flies. 

 Some jumped clear out of the water, taking 

 them on the downward turn; some seized 

 them on the upward rush; while a few 

 were caught in the wrong end, as they 

 struck at the flies with their tails. 



Of all my varied fishing experiences, this 

 was the most peculiar. The roar of the 

 wind on the mountain above, while the lake 

 was comparatively calm; the deepening 

 twilight; the excitement of the sport, all 

 combined to make a lasting impression. 



This part of the outing was a decided 

 success in the size of the catch. We went 

 to camp lugging over 50 pounds of trout. 

 Here we found the whole party assembled; 

 the missing one having at last turned up in 

 a very bedraggled and exhausted condi- 

 tion. 



Having lost his way, he had, after travel- 

 ing in a circle for several hours, forced him- 

 self to think rationally. Then he took a bee 

 line West by the sun until he struck the 

 main Thunder. After that he worked his 

 way up stream to camp. 



Every day was varied by different experi- 

 ences. The .worries and cares of business 

 were forgotten, and our lease of life length- 

 ened accordingly. On the 4th day, as most 

 of the men must return to civilization, 

 preparations were made for the homeward 

 journey. Before going, however, Wade 

 was presented with several pairs of trousers, 

 to recompense him for the abbreviation of 

 his own. As we rumbled down the road, 

 he talked until we were out of hearing, and 

 for all we know, is talking yet. 



" When I'm reduced to my last dollar I 

 go right out and spend it." 



" What good does that do? " 



" Nature abhors a vacuum — and it brings 

 in money to burn, right off." 



