SPORT ON THE SALMON RIVERS 



57 



that he generally refuses to rise well during the waxing of the water 

 after rain, but comes well with the river on the wane, while decre- 

 scentia ripas flumina prcetereunt. 



His favourite ' seats', too, are in the rough rapids at the head 

 of a^pool, else in front of some submerged rock far below, where 

 the water deepens and darkens at the tail. Here he loves to lurk 

 and laze beneath the foam-flecked whimpling ripples, and here, 

 when he does rise, the old-country angler is familiar with the rocket- 

 like rush, the javelin-shaped uplifting of the water, the pink gleam 



FISHING SCHOONER FROM CAPE BRETON SAILING TO SANDWICH BAY, AT THE HEAD 

 OF WHICH IS THE WHITE BEAR RIVER. 



of the sides, and then the brief glimpse of black dorsal fin and tail 

 as the fly is carried down in the midst of encircling waves. In the 

 more quiet water the fish seems to gain added strength, and even 

 a twelve-pounder will go off ' pulling like a wild horse with the lasso 

 about him '. 



Everywhere, even in Canada, the same golden rule is to be 

 observed in salmon fishing : ' nil desperandum '. Slight changes 

 affect the fish ; the atmospheric conditions attending a change 

 of weather, a calm after storm, or vice versa, will set obdurate 

 individuals agog for the fly. An exceptionally warm day occurring 

 in a cold spring, or a cool day in midsummer, in short any surprise 



