Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-07-15
WilloughbY and Magog.


SHERBRooKE, G. F. July, 1857.
mad heard something of this lake from a
lrlend' but as had seen nearly everything of
the KIND in the United States eastward of the
Mississippi, | did not imagine it to be anything
novel or remarkable. In this supposition was
agreeably disappointed In its way it is gem
pure as amber, graceful in form, and closely
hemmed in by noble mountain. But to be
more particular. 1t is six miles long and per-
maps one mile and a half wide From the por-
tico OF the capital hotel at the southern ex
tremlty, single glance of the eve takes in its
entire shore, and while on either side are per-
pehdlcuiar cliffs towering to the height of four
Teen and eighteen hundred feet, you have
prospect between these Of the distant mountains.
which hem in Lake Memphremagog. Although
there are few small farms at the northern ex-
tremity of Lake Wiloughby, yet they are so
hidden by the surrounding woods, the general
appearance of the lake is that of untamed
wlldness. Though very much smaller, it bears
a striking resemblance to Lake George ; it has
no islands. however, and the cliffs alluded to,
as gazed upon them from the water, seemed to
me quite as grand and imposing as those of the
River Saguenay. | was told, moreover that the
waters of Willoughby, like those of the great
wonder of the North are marvelously deep.
They are also cold as well as very pure, and of
course the fish are all they should be- They
are the lake or salmon trout. here called the
hunge, and the common trout. l caught none
Of the former but saw about fifty fine specimens
in q fountain in front of our hotel and nv
experience in regard to the latter, was to this
effect. After winning the affections of an cid
fisherman who follows his trade in this wild re-
gon, asked him about the common trout.
lie said " they were plenty, but wouldn't
bite" found that he fshed only with the
worm, and so thought would try some of
my Nicholson flies. did 50, coasting the lake,
with my friend in his boat, and the result of my
first morning, presented itself to my astonished
companion in the shape of half dozen trout
the largest of which weighed two pounds and
half, and all of them the perfection of their
kind in color and flavor. That my old friend
entreated for q few flies and that he became
fly fisherman from that day, demands special
proof. But with all my fondness for trout
fishing, | must say that during my stay at
Lake Willoughby, am oftentimes almost COM
PEELED to forget the enjoyment piscatorial, in
my admiration Of the surrounding scenery. l
~ rot lislule :. tl,f mogetans or the broad ex-
panse of water, but chiefly TO urre' UoOruo..v,i-
of the shore. Beneath the surface of the water,
every sandy spot with its pebbles and shells,
every sunken boulder or fallen tree could be
distinctly seen and as the eye left the margin,
and wandered, now upward and now sideways
in the shadow Of the trees, it became bewilder-
cd by the multiplicity of messy formations.
Huge cedars, that seemed to have been dried up
and bleached by uncounted years, hung their
branches over the water as if in despair while
around their roots the deep green moses seemed
to be revelling over their prey. In one place
a cluster of rocks would appear clothed in
velvet garb varying from deep black to the
purest white while others, more ambitious of
display, would present q bold front, completely
covered with lichens of deep scarlet and
bright yellow, or rich brown. And then the
tiny cascades, that came dripping and tumbling
down, under messy bridges, from springs that
| b, ,r;c;to1 b1, +ha aonla
quiste to behold, while they purified and rem
dered cool the surrounding atmosphere.
The Lake House, heretofore alluded to, is
kept by Mr. Alonzo Bemis, through whose en-
terprise alone may the scenery of Lake Will
loughby be now enjoyed to perfection. As IL
becomes known it will not fail to increase in
popularity ; and though now only about four
teen miles from the Portland and Montreal
Railroad, it is expected that in the course of a
few months" the Pasumpsic Railroad will come
within five miles of tho lake, which will be
near enough-surely With regard to the
name of this lake, l was only able to learn
the following facts : Two brothers, named Will
loughby, while upon hunting expedition,
chanced to follow moose to this water, and
while attempting to kill him one of the men
was injured 50 that he died, and having been
buried On the shore of the lake, it was ever
afterwards known by his name.
Thet Journey between Lake Willougby and
Lake Memphremagog is usually performed in
a stage wagon, in about four hours, the road
passing through several rustic villages, and fol-
lowing d stream called the Clyde, which runs
out of q lake, and boasts of picturesque
gorge and waterfall. With regard to Mem
phremagog l was somewhat disappointed. l
found its shores more highly cultivated than |
fancied them to be; nor was the scenery as
stupendous as the work on " Canadian scene
ry =" by Bartlett had led me to expect. This lake
is nearly thirty miles long and from one to
three miles wide, thirds lying within the
; limits of Canada and the other in Vermont.
There are but few islands in it, and for that
reason some of the prospects are extensive and
imposing. Its shores are generally elevated,
but it has onamountain on the western side and
near its centre, which is prominent attraction.
} 1t glories in the name af Owls Head, and is
high enough to overlook the entire, lake, and
of course, somewhat extensive C contiguity OF
shade y in the shape of forest covered hills and
: mountains, belonging to Canada and the three
more northern New England states.
Several of the rivers emptying into the lake,
run for many miles through tamarack swamps,
and have tinged its waters with brownish hue,
but they abound in fish of a superior quality,
The most numerous are salmon trout or
g mnge' which are taken as in other lakes.