Oct. 7, 1886.] 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



200 



but found it impossible, and for six hours I was cngiigod 

 in the refreshing exercise of wading up sh-eam. The 

 forests came nearly all the time up to the water's edge, but 

 occasionally they' receded a little so there was some 

 ground covered Isy high grass, along which it was possible 

 to walk. But tills was only exceptional, and it will be 

 readily believed that it was ^vith a sigh of relief that I 

 gi'eeted at half ))ast one the little bark shelter at tlie bead 

 of the rapid. There bad been a couple of showers during 

 this promenade which welted me through, and just at 

 this moment tlie sluice gates of heaven opened again. I 

 confess that I did not feel very (-^utbusiastic over the trip 

 when, huddled under the shelter, I endeavored to change 

 my wet clothes. But soon the sun shone out brightly 

 again and a good lunch with a cup of strong tea soon 

 restored me to ecpianiraity. The lunch consisted of a 

 jiound and a half trout I Ijad taken pist before coming to 

 the rapid, and which I liad proposed to keep as a trophy. 

 It was with an incredulous sigh that I give him ui> to be 

 butchered on the assurance of the guide that I would take 

 so many trout bigger than this one that it was not worth 

 while to keep such a sardine. 



A hole above the rapid was one of the places where 

 Vesina, the guide, told me these monsters were to be 

 found. Wlien the sun was off the water we t(x)k to the 

 boat and soon I was casting in tiie neig1il:)orlioorl of tlie 

 promised land. My flies were a daxk Montrea 1 and yellow- 

 drake, large, mounted as fluttering -flies. The rod ^\ as a 

 9oz. Holberton rod of "moib" wood. I took a few smad 

 trout, but as I cast over the hole there was a flash, an 

 enormous fish jumped clear out of the water and 

 comes down on the Montreal. An exciting struggle fol- 

 lowed, and after i:en miuutes I had the jileasure of seeing 

 in the boat a beautiful specimen of the SaJi^elimis fonti- 

 •Jtafe, weighing by my pocket scales 4] lbs. I must add 

 here that on returmng to St. Raymond, a careful compar- 

 ison of these scales which were out of order with other 

 scales showed that lib. had to bo added in order to get 

 the correct weight. 



After I had feasted my eyes sufiicieutly on my prize, I 

 went on fishing and was rewarded by the capture of a 

 second fish, weighing about lib. less. 



I felt that I was warranted to rest on my laurels and no 

 true spoi-tsman needs to be told that I felt at peace with the 

 world that night as I sat smoking my cigar and listened 

 to the yarns fold by my friend's guide. 



The next day, after four hours poling up stream, we 

 came to the Malcolm pool. The river suddenly widens 

 out into a pool about 70yds. in diameter. The greater 

 part is shallow, but about one-third part is quite deep. 

 The luimber of trout in this hole is something fabulous. 

 Almost every cast was followed by a rise and the greater 

 number were trout of good sizes, running up to 2Alb's. We 

 were interrupted l)y a terrible thmiderstorm which c(>m- 

 pelled us to seek the sheUe)- of the log hut which lias been 

 built here. But when at 8 o'clock "the sun slione again 

 and Vk'e ventiu'od out to have another txy, the sport was 

 again fast and fuiious. In fact to some hypercritical 

 persons it miglit have appeared too good. There was no 

 necessity of casting fast after the biggest trout came up 

 and near to the boat. In fact it bai)pened once that wliile 

 ray guide was unhooking a big trout taken on the drop- 

 fly another big fellow took the tail-fly, which was diurg- 

 ling over the water not 6in. from the boat, and broke it 

 clear off. 



Again roseate dreams canje to us and in excellent spirit 

 we set off for an idtimate object, the source of tlie St. 

 Anne about four miles above the ]K)o1. Here traveling 

 was again pretty rough and a gootl deal of wading had 

 to be done. But after three hours labor, Avhat a glorious 

 spectacle. The mountains had gradually come nearer 

 and nearer the river, rising up almost perpendicularly, 

 their side clothed with dense forests. Suddenly a tm-n of 

 the river showed us two immense granite walls, perfectly 

 bare of all verdure. Between these for a tiundred feet, 

 the river flows like a torrent. Beyond that it widens out 

 and forms a chcular basin inclosed by mighty rocks. At 

 the upper end of the basin is a small ledge about five feet 

 high over which the water comes pom-ing down, and still 

 fm-ther a second basm, into which a mighty waterfall 

 came thundering down. In its solemn grandeur and 

 utter soHtude the spectacle is one of the most magnificent 

 I evei- saw. 



We left our boat at the lower end of tlxe gorge or canon 

 and scrambled up the mossy rocks to see the second fall. 

 All around the scenery is grand. Beyond this it is im- 

 possible to pass unless a long detour is made. My guide, 

 who had been there, told me of the numberless lakes to 

 found in tlus region. He added, however, that the trout 

 were small. This was the haunt of the monster trout. 

 It was with souie tremor that, standing on a rock in the 

 middle of the channel, I cast' my flies int(.) the f(jam of 

 an eddy, and slowly drew them against the cma-eut. Sud- 

 denly I saw a monster trout come up quietl3^ suck in the 

 fly and go down. I struck, but too late. "Another cast 

 and I saw a fish swim against the current and go through 

 the same performance. This tune I struck in time and 

 out he ran into the current, till nearly all my Ime was 

 gone. Why should I describe what* has so often been 

 described before? Have we not all felt that sensation 

 as if our lives, hopes and everything worth living for 

 were at the end of that leader? Enough. I got him. 

 Weighed, half a day after its death, by my scales, he 

 weighed 4|lbs., his length was a, trifle over 24in., and he 

 was a pure brook trout. He was taken with a Parma- 

 chene-bill. This was the end of my good luck. First I 

 tempted a trout, which positively refused to take my fly. 

 Then we went further into the basin and another giant 

 broke my leader which had been cut and frayed in my 

 fight with the large trout and which I had been impru- 

 dent enough not to test. As it grew later the ti-out re- 

 fused to rise, so after taking with a worm a dozen lib. fish 

 for supper and breakfast we went home to the Malcolm 

 pool. 



The next day was the one fixed upon for our return. 

 Early in the morning we tried the pool again, but everv- 

 thing went wrong at first. The trout jumped freelv 

 enough but missed the fly. At last I hooked a large fish 

 which ran all over the pond, scared away the rest, but at 

 last Avas brought to the net. He weighed^a trifle over 41bs. 



Back over the rapid, this time in the boat. The water 

 was low, and it took us tliree hours to pass it, bumpiag 

 over the stones all the tiine. Then over the old grormd 

 to the giiide's house. At the very last moment, \A'hen I 

 was casting my flies mechanically' and was taking in the 

 beauty of the scene around me, I strack a 21b. troirt 

 which, however, after a short fight, got away, I hated to 



end my fishing with a miss, but there was no help for it. 

 The day was far advanced, and I had to be back that 

 evening to St. Raymond: a.nd so. putting up my rod with 

 a melancholy air, I ended my fishing iov this year. The 

 guide, who had a good horse, drove me back to St. Ray- 

 I mond. 



I I leave it to the reader to judge whether this is not ex- 

 [ cellent fishing. The trip toolc from Wednesday till Sun- 

 day. Altogether I did not fish more tlian twelve or four- 

 teen hours, and in addition to taking enough to have 

 trout three times a da\', I brought home ten brook trout 

 weighing 301bs., four of which were of 41bs. and over. I 

 tried only the holes and dee]i i)laces, but if time had 

 allowed, I am aiu-e that by wading down the rapid water 

 a number of fair-sized trout might have lieen taken. 



But good as the fishing was, it is not that fact which 

 will always make me reiueiulier my aiaj at St. Raymond. 

 There will come a time wdien the big trout has faded from 

 my memory, when only a diur recollection will remain 

 of the Malcolm pool, arid the falls of the St. Anne. But 

 when shall I cease to remember tiie pleasant drives 

 and walks in St. Raj^mond, the Cana<-lian folks songs, 

 sung by fan- Canadian girls, as ^ve drove home \n a hay- 

 cart. And above all, bow could I ever forget the famous 

 day that we d ove to the village in a cart drawn by frisky 

 oxen, to have our tintypes taken. Tlie adventures of that 

 day cajinot be described in cold prose. From the moment 

 that tlie fair driver with a look of determination on her 

 face took the rein in her hands to the end, when, after 

 having smashed the wliole concern through my stupidity, 

 I led the captive oxen by the bridle back to the village ito 

 be photographed, notwithstanding the fates seemed to for- 

 bid it, the whole story is full of tlirilling episodes, to 

 wiricli only a poet could do justice. 



To any one of my readers who should follow my foot- 

 steps, I can only say if the fish are half as large and 

 plentiful as I found "them, you will be satisfied with the 

 fishing. But if the girls you meet are one-tenth pai't as 

 charming as those it was ujy good luck to And, you will 

 be sure to join in the sentiment with which I end" this ac- 

 count of my trip — Vive la Canadienne. Teanie. 



MUD AND PINE LAKES. 



IT WAS the third day of last July when Charlie S., 

 with his beaming, good-natured "countenance, came 

 into my office, and in a mysterious tone, as if it was some 

 gi-eat secret he was about to impart and wished no one 

 else to hear, said: ''Let us go somewliere and celebrate 

 the Fourth as suits us best, and escape the ]3andemonium 

 which is sure to reign bore to-mori-ow." This I knew 

 meant "Let's go fishing,'" and my answer can easily be 

 guessed, for is not tins question, "Where shall we go?" 

 the spontaneous result of such invitations? And so it was 

 to answer this question that we nmst go and consult with 

 Carnie, who ahvays knows where to .t;o. how Xo get there 

 and wliat to take along. The mattei- was laid before him 

 and a. party of three was the immediate conse<iuence, 

 with only the one ([uestion "Where shall we go?"' remain- 

 ing unsettled. There was to be a celebration at Pine 

 Lake, a big crowd at Part Lake, we could not be alone on 

 the river; where should we go? "1 have it!" said Carnie, 

 "we will go to Mud Lake; I have heard they are catching 

 some liig ones there." A man who lives near the lake 

 had told him a short time before alioxit catching some 

 "sockdolagers," among which was one black baas tliat 

 weighed S^lbs. "Did you see the t)ass?" saitl Cliarlie, 

 after listening to the enthusiastic recital. ••No," re]»Hed 

 Carnie, "but this man I have knoAvn for a long time, and 

 he wouldn't tell me what \A'asn't so.'" It was scuttled then 

 that we should go to Mud Lake: not that the bass story 

 had any effect on Charlie and I. for Carnie liked to listen 

 to big yarns (and teU them, too) and the efforts tliat Avere 

 sometimes made in this direction would be deserving of 

 the big fish hook. But at this lake wecoiddbealonc, and 

 that was the one thing we desired above any other, unless 

 it was the certainty of a "big string." 



We were to be off at noon, and to get the tent, pond 

 boat, fishing tackle and provisions together and loaded 

 was no small job. Carnie was elected to the position of 

 commissary a number of years ago, and, as he had filled 

 the bill adi'nirably, his term of office had not yet expired. 

 Wliat joys were in anticipation, what Ausions of black 

 bass were before us as Ave boAvled along over the dusty 

 roads on that midsummer day! Each one in turn giving 

 some remimscence of past outings as they were vividly 

 brought to mind by om- expectations at "the lake, or by 

 the appearance now of some favorite AA^oodcock cover, in 

 passing by a famous snipe ground of former years, and, 

 again, how the grouse were once so plentiful in yonder 

 Avood, Avliere now a dog would be fortunate to find a hare 

 on Avhich to keep his nose in practice. Yes, happy Avere 

 Ave as Ave smoked om* pijjes and spun yarns, and heeded 

 not hoAv soon we reached otu destination. IJut here we 

 are climbijig the last hill before SAvooping doAvn on this 

 innocent little Mud Lake, that I am sure never harmed 

 any one that it should be given such a name; m fact, one 

 found it to be a misnomer, for mud Avas the very thing 

 that Avas not in sight. Even the bottom, wherever it 

 could be seen, Avas covered Avith weeds and grasses; but 

 Ave Avould not change its name, no, for CA^ery locality 

 must have its Mud Lake, There are no less than tlu^ee in 

 this coimty. 



In order to get to a place to camp we were obliged to 

 drive through an orchard, which extended to the tama- 

 racks surrounding the lake. We Avere but a moment in 

 laying our plans, which were tliat Carnie should take 

 the boat and try the fishing, catching some for supper if 

 possible, while Charlie and 1 Avere to imload the trunks, 

 pitch the tent and make our camp comfortable for tlie 

 night. The camp was soon in apple-pie order, and there 

 being nothing more to do Charlie decided to rig up and 

 ti-y liis luck with Carnie, leaving me to look after the 

 camp, as this is my best hold, to flutter around and keep 

 things tidy. As the mosquitoes were very tJiick and ap- 

 parently also very hungry, I concluded to build a fire that 

 would act as a smudge uoav and that would later fru-nisli 

 coals for cooking supper before filling my pipe for a smoke 

 Avhich was to be my only companion for an hour or so. 

 Thinking to call the boys in 1 made my way down the 

 narrow frail through the tamaracks, and"' as I emerged to 

 their view I was greeted Avith, ••Look! Look! See that fel- 

 loAV go, ain't he gamy, though?" Then the fish Avas landed 

 and Charlie in the other end of the boat Avould go through 

 the same rigmarole in landing a bluegill of less than a 

 pound Aveight: they were biting as fast as the bait was 

 dropped in and it must have been sport, but for those two 

 old fishermen trying to make themselves believe that they 



were landing four-pounders; that was a pretty picture. 

 "Boys," I called, rather softly, "hadn't you better come 

 in?" "Yes, in a minute," came back the answer, and 

 lieing satisfied with this I trudged back to camp, replen- 

 ished the fire, refdled my pipe and stretched out on the 

 bla,nket. It must have been half an hour since T was as- 

 sured that my companions would be in "in a minute." I 

 again made my way back to camp, only to return once 

 more to insist on their coming ashore. This time they 

 did not put me off, proliably for the reason that it was 

 getting so dark the fish had quit biting. 



It must have been nearly ten o'clock Avhen the cook 

 announced supper, and although we experienced a fecHng 

 of goneness, it could not be said that we Avere hungry as 

 AA-e sat down to our supper of fish and bacon done to a 

 turn, with fried potatoes, bread and coffee, which might 

 under other circumstances have called fourth compli- 

 ments for the cook. While cooking our supper Charlie 

 had conceived of a brilliant plan to feed the horses. This 

 he did by backing tlie platform, wagon down on the level 

 place by the tent, latching one horse on each side and 

 placing the feed betAveen them, using the wagon box for 

 a manger. Our intentions were to have put them out in 

 the farmer's barn, but our plans had been somewhat upset. 

 However, the horses Avere quiet and got along wonder- 

 fully Avell fis long as the oats lasted, but on our lying down 

 after this last effort they began stamping and shaking, 

 Avhich told us too plainly they were becoming restive. 

 We had just talked xlie matter over and concluded to get 

 up and find a better place for them, when snaf), bang, 

 came the Avagon pole through the tent not three inches 

 from the bean cultivator's head. One of the horses had 

 got its foot through the spokes of one of tlie wheels, and 

 in trying to extricate itself fell over, carrying the wagon 

 forward with it. Rushing out of the tent we found that 

 the horse had not broken its leg, and for this we were 

 truly thankful, although it did seem as if the evil one 

 were pursuing us. We soon had the horses securely tied 

 at a distance from the tent, to trees that were not likely 

 to be pulled over on us. 



Morning came, as bright a morning as ever da-vvned for 

 a July day; we Avere up and stin-ing early. Charlie and 

 I left Carnie to get breakfast while we went out to try the 

 fishing. Fishing in this little lake was merely a matter 

 of hoAv long the bait held out. There seemed to be an un- 

 limited supply of bluegills, all so hungry that anything 

 but a, bare hook Avould be sure of a fish. There might 

 have been otlicir kinds of fish in the lake, if there Avas Ave 

 should haAT had to caught a Avay tlu-ough the bluegills to 

 give the others a chance at the hooks. "We ate a hearty 

 meal and took aji after-breakfast smoke before striking 

 camp. On leaving tliat bright and pleasant spot on Mud 

 Lake we timied the horses' heads toward Pine Lake. 

 Here there was to be a celebration at the Pine Lake 

 House, and country and city folk were gathering from all 

 points of the compass and "from far away, all bent on 

 "one great jollification day." Thinking to " be Avell away 

 from the throng Ave pitched our tent nearly a mile froni 

 the hotel on the grassy bank of the lake, a 'lovely spot in- 

 deed to camp. 



Our stay at Pine Lake for tAvo days was vei'y pleasant, 

 but so much like all other outings that a minute relation 

 of it might be tedious. There Avas. hoAvever, one rather 

 amusing incident (except to the cook) Avhich Charlie and 

 I enjoyed very much. The teams bad kept croAvding 

 upon us until the fence along the road and evei-y tree and 

 spot Avas occupied, in fact we were sim-ounded; we had 

 brought aU of the fish caught at Mud Lake Avith us except 

 vdiat bad been eaten at the two meals, they Avere all 

 cleaned ready for the frying-pan, and when at about liigh 

 noon the fii^e was biult for getting dinner, the throng that 

 gathered around the camj^-fii'e would liaA-e done justice 

 to the first circus of the season. Everything Avent well 

 until the fish began to broAvn, Avhen up to the front crowds 

 a farmer, an old acquaintance of Carnie's, and after mak- 

 ing himself knoAvn, (and someAA'bat familiar Avith all) said, 

 "Carnie, I haint tasted a fresh fish in five years, I wish 

 you would just give me a little one," Of course Carnie 

 gave it to him. He immediately retired amid the multi- 

 tude of Avistful eyes to a peacable place where he sat 

 down to enjoy his fish. Then another old friend of 

 Carnie's appeared, he wanted a fish: then another, and 

 anotlier, till every man and boy stood A\dth hands out- 

 sti-etched waiting for the fish to browm; pan after pan 

 Avas cooked and still they came, and some came back to 

 get one for "a lady friend" who couldn't get in, till the 

 fish Avere gone; it was 4 o'clock and our appetites had 

 got to the singing pitch, but Ave had no fish for dinner 

 that day. After all, we denied ourselves but litte, and 

 it Avas a great pleasure to see hoAv the fish were relished 

 by those Avho had basketfuls of good tilings that could 

 not touch the fish spot. 



After our frugal meal of fried potatoes, bread and cof- 

 fee (no bacon nor fish, thank v^ou), Ave Avent out on the 

 lake and soon had a fair string o"f bass and pickerel, which 

 Ave cooked for our late supper: so that we were not long 

 without fish. 



In the morning Carnie rose early, and, taking his frog 

 spear, started out to get some frogs to furprise us for 

 breakfast. When he returned Avith a f cav small frogs and 

 one very large one that looked like the great grandfather 

 of all frogs, we were up and stirring, and aU laid to and 

 began getting breakfast. In di^essing the frogs, as is om- 

 custom with all kinds of fish and game, we noted the con- 

 tents of their stomachs, and were somewhat surprised to 

 find in the large one's two tm-tles, one a mud turtle, partly 

 digested, about the size of a silver dollar, and the other a 

 sna])piiig turtle, a little larger, and still alive and very 

 lively. On being released from his ])rison he bowed his 

 thanJiS and started along the sandy beach toward the set- 

 ting sun. I mention this fact for the reason that, Avhen- 

 ever we have told the story, the fu-st cuiestion, generally 

 asked in an incredulcms manner, is, "What became of the 

 turtle?" All that we know about him is that he "went 

 West." 



The remainder of the day was spent in lounging about 

 camp and entertaining our friends, who had foimd us 

 out. Next day Ave put in full time fishing, with fairly 

 good success, till the last moment before our departra-e. 

 Then our heai'ts saddened. We had just nicely got set- 

 tled doAvn and felt at home, Avhen stern duty called us 

 back to again enter the struggle for existence. But why 

 go over the old, old story of breaking camp; the same feel- 

 ing comes to us every ti'me we turn our faces homeward 

 after a pleasant outing, only to be shaken off and forgot- 

 ten the moment our dear ones meet us on our retmm. 



Lansing, Mich, Ravelstone. 



