THE SALMON-FISHERY 333 



grown grilse. This pleasure is, however, generally deferred 

 till the fourth spring, when the fish arrives in all the pride 

 of silver and with all the well-known energy of a three- to 

 six-pound grilse. Those who have felt the rush and jump 

 of these exquisite creatures on the end of a light line in 

 rapid water know the marvel of their agility. The males 

 are at this time mature, but, as a rule, do not spawn. They 

 seem simply to have a good time in the upper reaches and, 

 not until the fifth year, when they have grown to the weight 

 of ten pounds at least, do they feel called upon to assume 

 the duties of the head of a family. 



The grilse, from their agility or smaller size, are fairly 

 successful in escaping the cod-trap leaders. They even 

 pass through the salmon-nets in the rivers, and the rod- 

 and-line fishing for these is still excellent in many Labrador 

 rivers. Eagle River still gives good sport for salmon, and 

 an enterprising Hudson's Bay factor is trying to arrange 

 a summer hotel for visitors near the large pools. Sandhill 

 Bay River also gives good fishing. The late General Dash- 

 wood came two years in succession from England to fish 

 in this river. 



Many of the other rivers would doubtless afford sufficient 

 attraction if only they were given a fair trial. But as yet 

 little is known about them. A party in a steam-yacht, 

 visiting Byron Bay in 1907, claim to have had good sport 

 there, but we had no accurate details of their actual catch. 

 Landlocked salmon are very common in the lakes and upper 

 reaches of the Hamilton Inlet. One feature that tells most 

 in favour of the rivers on the Labrador coast belonging to 

 Newfoundland, is that no rivers are reserved for clubs or 

 private owners, and visitors may visit or fish any or all at 



