The morning call., 1890-11-07
A CLIMB WITH TROUT.
The Danger of Ascending a
Mountain to Stock q Lake.

In the summer of 's7 we made trip to
Lake Nanon for the purpose Of stocking it
it with trout. None of this system contained
trout, or other fish, naturally. They were
stocked in '65 or &c. and so suitable did the
waters prove to the well-doing of the orlgl-
nal fry that in eighteen years the waters
were teemng with large trout. Lake NaDon
had never been stocked and, like the others,
it was impossible for it to become SO,
naturally So enc windy day b. and took
a covered pail, with eight small trout in IT,
and started ona weary climb. For mile
our way was comparatively level and little
streams were close enough together to renew
the water on the fish. The pail was small
one and the water needed frequent renewal,
especially so on account OF the size OF the
fish. which were all nine or ten inches long.
the smallest we could procure. The last
half mile gave US climb Of 500 feet. This
must be accomplished up, or near, the little
channel of the stream, which flowed out Of
the lake, as nowhere else could we pro-
cure water. If We could have chosen
any route it would have been easy enough.
But the road we had 10 scale was a corker.
The rocks were bare Of vegetation and Slip
perry with the action OF the stream, which in
high water spread itself all over the face Of
the Cliff. The rocks we were climbing lay
exactly under the direct rays of the sun anu
the heated granite would almost burn ones
feet. Ii. soon played out, so that he could
not relieve me in carrying the fish, and l
sent him ahead by an easier route. 1t is
said that virtue is its own reward, but l
doubted it that day. A hundred times did l
wish those fish i'll Sheol, but pride prevented
giving up the job. Once l had narrow
escape from serious accident and probable
death. had slowly wormed my way up an
almost perpendicular ascent of seventy-fiye
feet, and finally reached a point beyond
which 1t was impossible to proceed. BY
leaping from the point | was on across a
deep cleft in the rock it was possible 10
aiight on projection that would
hold and give an easier pathway. 1t
was stranded and must take the
chance Balancing carefully for the sat
tempt leaped aud landed short. My feet
slipped on tie treacherous granite, and to
save myself dropped the pail, and away it
went. gathering down the cliff, and as l
chung desperately to a cleft with my fingers
l could see the trout go kicking down in
diffe rent directions. j am not as active as
was thirty years ago, and this was no JOKE.
My whole weight depended ON my fingers,
as the rock fell away underneath, so that l
had n o f0otheld. Something had to be done,
and that right quick. A larger and deeper
cleft existed in the rock, two feet below the
one had my fingers in, and letting go With
one hand l cutched at it and let 60 with the
other. Being no acrobat my hold was not
sure, and away L went, down the cliff after
the pail and fish. Nothing but merciful
chance saved my life. Twenty-Five feet be-
low small shrub had gained foothod in
the rock. and l fell fairly into it. 1t sus-
tanned my weight, and after moment l
regained my breath, which the fall had
knocked out OF me, and clambered down to
the bottom. 1 regained the pail, got fresh
water in it and went a-fshing." The trout
had all landed in a pot-hole but one and it
was gasping its life away on the hot rocks.
l had no difficulty in getting them ALL and
choosing new route got 10 the top. Soon
afterward l gained the lake shore and had
the satisfaction of liberating my captives in
its pure waters. All but one swan away
into the depths, and that one turned his
belly up and feebly worked his gills.
Whether he ever recovered or not | do not
know, but alive or dead he cost me- hard
half hour to get him there. L. wanted to
know what kept me so long behind him, but
he got no satisfactory reply, and when he
sees this he will know for the first time.
My arms were sore for week afterward
and one hip was so bruised as TO give me
much pain for several days. This year, in
August probably, | intend to see il our
labors were repaid, as | intend giving half
a day to whipping Nanon's placid bosom.
The story does not sound much in the tell
ing, but it was mighty interesting to me at
the tIme.-Eorest and Stream.