The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-02

see under this shelf with his waterRlass. but he
thought that IL might hide a monster or two
and he selected the smooth surface above II as
his casting point in the Taylor experiment
This ledge was not more than ten yards from
the creeks entrance and there was always a
slight swirl above 1t due to a small eddy which
act along next to the bank A leaf thrown into
this eddy would float for an hour before COM
ing under the influence OF the main sweep.
The sun was not more than an hour from it's
setting. and already the stiffness OF dying day
was settling on the woods. when he stood five
Yards back from the POOLS edge and sent fifty
feet OF the line flying through the air-whiz!
zip! splash, Tho smitten water spranR up In
drops, which battered back like rain. and tho
nv was dragged harshly back for a yard before
being snatched from the pool Again 1t sailed
out. and. the line and leaders being wet struck
the surface with louder splash than before.
Again it was drawn back and again the cast
was made Ten times this was repeated.
the hy landing each time Just above
the outer edge OF the hidden ledge. Then.
as it fell heavily down upon tho eleventh
cast. there was flash from the crystal-clear
depths. fash as IL lightning had sprung from
some murky cloud far down, and the reel be-
gan its song of high endeavor. Straight across
the pool the line stretched. me- de hall circle to
the left. the automatic check taking UP the
slack. and then dashed to the upper opening
and sped up the stream. Thomas had clampsd
down his thumb hard on tho whzzing cord
and the stiff point OF the rod was bent nearly
into a semicircle. but the great fish did not
seem to mind the strain. He tore up the
stream until $50 feet OF line was out and the
man could SEQ the bare metal cleaning under
the lesseninG coils 1t began to look like
n n-out with snap at the end OF it.
when suddenly. finding the water too shallow
for his liking. tho trout wheeled, leaned four
feet into the air and started back to the pool
Thomas saw him clearly for IL moment and. az
he had sprung into n bar OF sunlight which
pierced the trees. could mark every glowing
spot on his Furnished sides. He said " Gosh
Almighty and was glad that the reel was
automatic. The iish came down with the speed
OF light. but there was little slack. As he
struck the edge OF the pool he leaped high
again and shook his head savaRely. as II he
were dog. endeavorinG to dslodge tho hook
Then he sounded. going down headforemost
and rs straight as a pummet Thomas gave
him the butt savagely for fear that he
would get under the rock ledge and so cut
the silk. He yielded to the strain when
near the bottom and reappeared on the
further side Of the pool. whero fifteen minutes
of startling gymnastics followed Such was
the strength and gameness of this trout that
he left the water not less than ten times, and
all that part OF the pool in which he fought his
death fight was churncd to foam. He came up
gasping within six feet OF his conpueror after
thirty-fve minutes Of warfare. made final
plunge for liberty was within an ace ottearing
the hook from his mouth. because his startled
opponent met the rush trlhe too stihiy. and
finally foated on his side. defeated though
splendid veteran II was deep dusk in the woods
whom Thomas brought him to basket. Tho
fish on the scales at camp weighed five pounds
six ounces. His flesh was as firm as nut and
as sweet as a rose leaf. Before leaving the Sis
sawickon Thomas made three other captures
from Trouble pool. taking them by the teas
ing method. The four fish averaged nearly
five pounds each.