46 The Atlantic Salmon 



net in question on the morning we were there, 

 and only eight salmon were in it, which was the 

 largest catch of the season. One of the indi- 

 cations of the deterioration of a river is the 

 diminution in the average size of the fish, which 

 shows that an increasing proportion of the adult 

 salmon is being taken. It is a very sure sign, 

 even when the numbers show no decrease, as a 

 given year's crop of small fish may be greater 

 than those of preceding years, and a considerable 

 proportion of its individuals may not have visited 

 fresh water as grilse; but when fewer large fish 

 are taken, it shows a falling off in the supply. 

 The average size of Restigouche fish has dimin- 

 ished four or five pounds since 1883 or 1884. 



On the other side of the Bay of Chaleurs we 

 have the Grand Bonaventure and the famous 

 Grand Cascapedia. This river was long reserved 

 by the Dominion government for the use of the 

 governor general, but after its ownership became 

 vested in the Province of Quebec it was leased to 

 a club, i.e. the part of it formerly reserved. It is 

 comparatively well protected, and full of large fish. 

 One of fifty-four pounds was taken some years 

 since by Mr. Dun, and the average, one year with 

 another, is probably above twenty-five pounds. 



