I had sent off my heavy pole to the painters, so I was obliged to take my trout-pole.

I was afraid that I should break it, but it behaved beautifully for about two hours, during which time I drew in sixty fine perch and rock-bass--some of the former weighing between one and two pounds--and I began to think that the pole was too tough to break.

But I was very soon convinced of my mistake, for, as bad luck would have it, I hooked on to a black-bass.
I thought I handled him very carefully, but, before we could land him, he broke my pole in three pieces; but the line held, and he was soon floundering in the boat.

He was a fine fellow--a regular "sockdologer"-- weighing six pounds and a half.

But I heartily wished him safe in the bottom of the river.