The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1882-08-03
FISHING IN THE JORDAN.
\ Sacred River. But a Poor Place
to Fish.

A Sacred River, But a Poor Plac;
to Fish.
Ny tents says a correspondent in th
Ho1yland, were pitched among the civ
trees on the bank Of the east branch Of tn
upper Jordan, only q few rods below thu
mighty spring at Banias, the ancient C5es
area Philippi. The Jordan rises from va
rions great springs.in the west and south
west sides Of Mount Hermon. The west
ern branch, which comes down the gorge
between IIermon and the Lebanon range
flows practically southwark from its source
till it comes out on the plain above the wa
| =ters Of Merom. The Banias branch springs
out Of the mountain side, at that village
deseends the decliYity IN a torrent, receives
the 1loW of the great spring Of Dan, three
or four miles below, then joins the west
branch, and the river pursues its course
widening into Nerom, and resting agair
| in the sea of GaliIee.
The sun was an hour above the western
Enills. So I took out.a light rod and book
of flies and small spinners, and went up
to the spring where the waters began thei1
course. What fish might be in the river
and what flies to use / knew not. But it is
very certain that if there be any game fish
IN the river or lake a judicious use of flies
or spinners will bring them to hand
The =carniverous opening in the precipi-
tol1s rock Of the hill, OUT Of which the
spring once flowed, has crumbled, and the
clear water gushes and bubbles out in
countless little springs among the debris.
Remains Of pagan worship are numerous,
for the Romans, as well as the Greek and
Phtenician predecessors in power, had Gull
tivated here the reverence and worship of
the gods Of the water, the woods, and the
lower regions.
Turning my back on the cid myths, /
began to whip the stream where the yali-
Gus oozings Of the fountain gathered in a
somewhat smooth flow fora little while.
There was a host Of small fish not three
inches long, and at every cast-I would take
one Or two. But the young descendants Of
the sacred fish ofoIden times were entitled
to respect, and were carefully restored. /
have always regretted that made no care
ful notes Of the characteristics Of the fish I
took in the sea Of Galilee and in various
parts Of the ,Jordon. | then supposed that
they Nere.EnoWn 10 the books and cata-
logued. I have since found that no one
has described the various families, and it
IS subject Of manifest interest. then
only said to myself; .'rhese seem to be
some Of the sn1aiifry Of tie perch family, !"
and I began to follow down tIle stream,
seeking ffsAraas7 ger fish s h.
From the very start tile river began a
series Of white plunges, widening on its
course, Iashing itself into millions Of spark
ling bubbles too gay and eyanescent to be
called foam, pitching, tossing, furious.
There was no place Or use Of spinner, fly,
or bait. Never was a moro noble torrent.
Crossing it was impossible. Down, down,
down | followed, and followed cnntent, for
the glory Of such q cataract was worth en-
joying. Still the sun went downward over
Lebanon, and the night was coming OH.
Close by the bank Of the stream | came
on q groupof Arabs, six men, surrounding
a small fire Of a few. stalks Of grass and
weeds. They welcomed a stranger with
frank coraiality, and pressed me to share
their evening meal, Which they were then
and theres about to eat. 1t consisted of
tough flat cakes Of bread, roasted snails,
and Jordan water. The snails We're roast
ing in the ashes-big fat fellows, the shells
nearly two inches in diameter. Roast
snails are not at all to be despised. [ had
eaten them before. [ ate them with the
Arabs now, and somewhere | have two or
three OF those giantshells, keptasa 81 memo
rial Of the hospitality Of Lebanon Arabs
to a stro1ling angler.
High overhead the snoW-clad summit of
the sheik Of mountains, Hermon OF old,
was glowing i'll The. light Of the sun, which
had gone.doWn beyond sidon on the wa
5ers of the great sea. A deep gloom seem
ed to be pouring into the southern view,
where, away between the ranges Of hills,
the gorge deepened downward, beyond
Capernaum and Chorazin and Bethsaida,
toward the sea Of death. A cold wind
swept down, making the Hermon deWs to
seem ice-like, instead of soft.
Slowly, rod in hand, without fish, [
climbed the hill towards the tents smong
5he olive trees at BaElias. The red light
faded on lIermon.. It was darkSbefore [
reached home, for, tents are homes though
they be movable homes, and all cur homes
are at best but.camping places.
A Brilliant Sample Secured.
The Philadelphia Times says; That Pc
euliar form Of insanity that afflicts the