22 The Atlantic Salmon 



could furnish food for the throngs which ascend 

 it. That his tendency to eat is not eradicated 

 while in fresh water is certain. He takes flies, 

 natural and artificial, and other objects as well, 

 with the general intention of swallowing them. 

 That he sometimes carries out this intention I 

 thoroughly believe, both from having taken several 

 which had the fly far down toward the stomach 

 and from the following incidents in my knowl- 

 edge. 



In 1886, late in August, two Indians of my 

 acquaintance came down the Metapedia River and 

 stopped at the large pool at the mouth to fish for 

 trout, which gather there in great numbers late in 

 the season. The canoe was anchored, and the 

 bait, consisting of a chunk of raw beef put on a 

 large hook attached to a string line, and a short, 

 stiff pole cut in the woods, thrown overboard. 

 Before it had sunk a yard and a half in the clear 

 water the Indian in charge saw a large fish come 

 from the bottom and seize it. Recognizing it for 

 a salmon at once, he gave a mighty jerk, then 

 passed the rod back to his companion, caught the 

 line in both hands, and before the astonished fish 

 had a chance to turn he was hauled into the canoe 

 and on his way down the river to the sea whence 



