7 2 THE SEA-TROUT AND SALMON 



likely to be hooked ; and they are often found graded in size as you 

 walk higher up the pool towards the inlet. A fish about two and 

 a half pounds generally fights more gamely than his larger brethren. 



The streams of Newfoundland are becoming better preserved 

 every year ; hence the fishing will undoubtedly improve, and already 

 has improved. In the streams mentioned, and in some of their 

 branches, should the fisherman hit good water, he may have the 

 good luck to land a couple of salmon a day ; but where has not 

 salmon fishing its glorious uncertainties ? Salmo solar is the 

 same uncertain, capricious creature in Newfoundland as elsewhere : 

 one day rising greedily, on the very next sulking indifferently at the 

 bottom of the pool for no assignable reason. 



The streams are all free and open, without any fee whatever. 

 The first rod holds possession that is the rule of the river. A camp 

 may be occupied just as long as the owner of it chooses to remain. 



Several noble rivers discharge into Hawke Bay, far north on 

 that strip of coast known as the French shore, where conflicting 

 rlaims of ownership have resulted in an international complication 

 not easily unravelled. Amid grand scenery, closely resembling 

 some portions of the coast of Norway, some American gentlemen 

 have erected a fishing lodge, where they resort annually and com- 

 mand the fishing of two good streams, which have been not quite 

 ruined in the past by poaching and overfishing. 



One of the very best salmon rivers of the island at the present 

 day is Hare River, away up on the extreme north-eastern apex of tin- 

 island, flowing into Hare Bay. To reach this stream it is necessary 

 to take camping outfit, and proceed from the railway terminus at 

 Burnt Bay by coasting steamer as far as Tilt Cove Copper Mine. 

 A small steam tug carrying mails is sometimes available, whereby 

 to cross White Bay, and to proceed within easy reach of this attra( 1 1 \ < 

 river. The little boat hugs the rugged coast, and often threads a 

 pathway through an archipelago of interesting islands. Good 

 bou hunting may also be had on the neighbouring plains, and as 

 the Newfoundland deer season opens July 15, a fishing party need 

 never be without plenty of good venison. 



Some fifty miles from the capital city is the noted Salmonier, 

 which is the home of a small but gamy salmon that never outgrows 

 the size of a well-nurtured grilse. There is a fine surrounding coun- 

 try, where willow grouse may be shot on the high barrens in the 

 season, and where an occasional snipe marsh is found alternating 

 with thick evergreen forest. 



One of the best known as well as the largest rivers of the i>l.md 

 is the Exploits, falling into an arm of the Great Notre Dame I'..\ . 



