Fisheries of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, 97 



times salted, but generally they are eaten while fresh. This 

 fishery has also been attempted to be regulated and preserved by 

 law, but evidently with very little success, as it is fast decreasing. 

 "Sad havoc is made among the Basse, in the winter season, when 

 they lie in numerous shoals half torpid, in shallow water. A large 

 hole is cut in the ice above them, and they are lifted out with dip' 

 nets ; in this manner the Basse Fisheries, in some of the smaller 

 Rivers, have been wholly destroyed 



There are two species of Trout found in the greatest abundance 

 in every river, -stream, and break, which finds its way from the 

 interior of New Brunswick to the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. Of 

 these, the Salmon Trout (Salmo truita) is of the largest size, and 

 most valuable. The common Trout (Salmo fontinalls) is taken 

 in every possible variety., every where. 



The Sea Trout, (Salmo truita marina) seldom ascend the 

 Rivers far above the tideway; when they first enter the estuaries 

 early in the season, they are in the finest condition, and scarcely, 

 if at all, inferior to Salmon. They are frequently taken of the 

 weight of 7ft>, though the most usual weight is from 2ft> to oib- 

 They are very abundant in June, in the Bays and Harbours o 

 Prince Edward Island. At the Magdalen Islands they are taken 

 in nets, and being pickled in small casks, are exported to the West 

 Indies; if carefully cleaned, cured, and packed, they there bring 

 a higher price than Salmon. 



In the tide-way of the Rivers flowing into the Gulf, these fine 

 fish might be taken in sufficient quantities to form an article of 

 traffic. They afford great sport to the fly-fisher, especially when 

 they first enter the mixed water of the tide-way in the smaller 

 Rivers. 



The common Trout [Salmo fontinalis) are also eagerly sought 

 after by the disciples of Izaak Walton ; and although destroyed in 

 the most wanton and reckless manner by unthinking persons, they 

 are still abundant. The destruction of these beautiful fish takes 

 place by wholesale, upon many Rivers in the northern part of the 

 Province, and one of the modes practised is called " rolling for 

 trout." When the streams are at their lowest stage in the sum- 

 mer season, a dam of logs, stones, and brush, is roughly built at 

 the lower end of some pool, in which the fish have congregated. 

 This " rolling-dam " being constructed, the stream for some dis- 

 tance above the pool, is beaten with poles, and the fish are driven 

 down to the deepest water, out of which they are swept with a net. 

 Canadian Nat. 2 Vol. IV. No. 2. 



