The Merrimack River: its source and its tributaries. Embracing a history of manufactures, and of the towns along its course; their geography, topography, and products, with a description of the magnificent natural scenery about its upper waters./ By J. W. Meader.

TIE MEPBRIMACK BIVER;
only in small, clear ponds, located at a high altitude, some two thousand
feet and upward above the level of the sea. This trout, or at least
those examined, vary from one to two and a half pounds, and are peculiarly rich,-being declared by epicures to excel in all respects even the
salmon itself. Proper lake trout differ but little in quality, and but
for the esteemed name they bear would attract no more, perhaps less,
notice than the salt-water stand-by. which has given its name to the
sandy desert beyond the Plymouth Rock,- renowned Cape Cod.
The universal method of taking the trout seems to have settled
down to the rod and line, and if an occasional vandalism is perpetrated, such as liming a brook, or other kindred meanness, it is only
an exceptional case, right-minded people frowning down all such
doings, and approving the genuine disciple of Isaak Walton.
In pond-fishing, and in other open places, the fly is used at certain
seasons, as in salmon-fishing, with good success; in fact, it is sometimes indispensable, and in other localities the bait is caused to
ricochet along the surface precisely as for pickerel, this being the only
means of securing, a " bite." These, however, are exceptional cases;
the great bulk of trout-fishing is the well-known system of baiting
the hook and dropping it in the water.
For bait, the universal India-rubber, mud or angle worm is first
and foremost; the yellow-headed white grub, or potato worm, the
grasshopper, and several other insects, and sometimes fishes' eyes
are used with good success. Many people avoid making a noise
when trouting, such as calling to each other, etc. It may be observed in this connection that it is believed trout hear no outside
sound, either from a physical disability, or from being in the water.
Whether this is or not a correct observation, experience has proved
that no mere sound alarms them in the least; but they are extremely
sensitive and keen-sig,hted; a shadow thrown across the brook alarms
them at once, or a step on the bank heavy enough tQ jar and
agitate the water affects them instantly, and away they dart
almost with the rapidity of lightning. The reason wlhy better luck
is supposed to be assured on a rainy day is undoubtedly because the
duller the day the less liable is the fisherman to expose himnself, and
thereby alarm the trout, and, further, the rain beats down flies, and
washes from the bank worms and insects. Instinct teacl)ing them
that rainy days are their thanksgiving days, they are on the alert,
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