382 THE ANGLER. 



thing in Canada is saturated with politics, even the 

 angling. Men get their salmon rivers according to their 

 politics. It is even doubtful whether a conservative 

 salmon would rise at a grit fly. If political jobbery in 

 angling matters were done away with, and rivers put up 

 to fair competition among the angling public, the revenue 

 might be increased 10,OOOZ. per annum, and there would 

 be ample room for every angler in Canada and for visitors 

 to boot. The total sum yielded by the salmon rivers at 

 present falls short of 1000Z. per annum. The Kesti- 

 gouche, containing 50 miles of fishing water, or, with its 

 tributaries, over 100 miles, is perhaps the finest salmon 

 river in the world. This magnificent river, which is 

 crossed by the Intercolonial llailroad, is leased with its 

 tributaries by four gentlemen, who pay 4/. each per 

 annum for it. This river, one of the best, and certainly 

 the most accessible in the Dominion, if divided into 

 sections and let by fair competition, would afford sport 

 to a large number of persons, and would alone bring in 

 as much revenue as all the rivers in Canada do at present. 

 All good things in Canada fall to the lot of the party in 

 power. Each change of ministry gives a chance to new 

 men ; but unfortunately in fishing matters this is not the 

 case. The rivers are leased for ten years, and locked up 

 from sportsmen for that period. I do not blame the for- 

 tunate owners of the rivers no doubt many of us would 

 be glad to get them on the same terms if we had the 

 chance ; but I do blame the Government for creating a 

 monopoly not only injurious to anglers, but prejudicial to 

 the best interests of the Dominion. It is obvious that 

 every angler who spends a fortnight or a month on a 



