But go near the hooks they would not, neither would they rise to
Captain Martin's most tempting flies--for he, too, saw many trout,
from where he sat. We stood there a long time, until our patience was
quite exhausted, trying to catch some of those fish, sometimes letting
the current take the grasshoppers almost to their very noses, when
finally Major Stokes whispered, "There, Mrs. Rae there, try to get
that big fellow!" Now as we had all been most unsuccessful with the
little "fellows," I had no hope whatever of getting the big one,
still I tried, for he certainly was a beauty and looked very large as
he came slowly along, carefully avoiding the stones. Before I had
moved my bait six inches, there was a flash of white down there, and
then with a little jerk I hooked that fish--hooked him safely.
That was very, very nice, but the fish set up a terrible fight that
would have given great sport with a reel, but I did not have a reel,
and the steep bank directly back of me only made matters worse. I saw
that time must not be wasted, that I must not give him a chance to
slacken the line and perhaps shake the hook off, so I faced about, and
putting the pole over my shoulder, proceeded to climb the bank of four
or five feet, dragging the flopping fish after me! Captain Martin
laughed heartily, but instead of laughing at the funny sight, Major
Stokes jumped to my assistance, and between us we landed the fish up
on the bank.
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