They left the hatchery and went downstream to a point where a small creek emptied into the river.
Here Earl handed Bill a three-pronged hook and told him that they must get some salmon eggs for bait.
“Put that hook on your line and I will tell you which of the fish to snag. Then you bring it in to shore and we will get the roe.”
Bill assembled his rod and threaded his line. He attached the hook and announced himself as being ready.
“See that large fish out there just holding herself against the current?” asked Earl. “Her top fin is just a few inches below the surface of the water. Cast your line over and snag her.”
Bill made a cast and missed. He tried again and the hook caught in the top fin. He reeled in on his line and looked around for further instructions, only to see Earl and Sam sitting down on the bank laughing at him. He knew that he had been caught at a tenderfoot trick, but just what it was he did not know.
CHAPTER XX—MORE ABOUT FISH
“What are you fellows laughing about?” asked Bill. “I caught the fish, didn’t I?”
“Bring it into shore,” said Sam.
Bob Finch was as much in the dark as to the cause of the merriment as was Bill. Bill tried to reel in his line, but the fish would not respond. He fought against every move on Bill’s part. Bill soon saw that he had a task in front of him. The fish was snagged in the middle of the body and, accordingly, could use all its power against the pull on the line. If he pulled hard against the fish, he would break his line or snap his rod. If he didn’t pull, the fish would run downstream and take the line with him.