96 THE SALMO>^. 
a general rod, but two rods distinct witli joints fitting to 
each other. Take with you two good lines, plenty of 
flies, extra gut and hooks, leaders and feathers, and a 
strong hook gaff, but not that dangerous, unwieldy 
instrument called a spring gaff. Thus equipped, go forth 
conquering and to conquer, and may good luck attend 
you. Seek any of the rivers we shall name, ascend 
them in your fragile canoe, station yourself early in the 
morning or at the approach of evening, choose your best 
fly, keep well out of view, cast far and light, and may 
you many and many a time be rewarded with the fierce 
rush of the mighty salmon, his struggle and final con- 
quest, and may your sleep be sound and your heart at 
rest amid nature's primeval hills. May the black flies 
and mosquitoes spare you, may the sand-fly not find you 
out, may the heat be tempered to you by day and the 
cold by night, may you not lose your footing too often, 
nor fall too hard, and may your fish be the largest, 
strongest and bravest that ever were taken. May you 
receive that mercy which you show, never drawing one 
drop of useless blood, nor causing one unnecessary pang. 
The aid of all good men and true is needed both by 
precept and example, to save the tenants of the water 
from final extermination. By putting restraint upon 
ourselves, never being guilty of wanton slaughter, by 
steadily urging measures for the preservation of the 
game, and by invariably obeying and compelling others 
to obey such laws as should be passed, we may be able to 
leave to our children a heritage of pleasure that bountiful 
nature has abundantly provided for ourselves. 'No fish 
are more defenceless and more readily destroyed than 
