180 THE SAGUE^AY. 



of Lake St. John, and in June they descend to the series of 

 rapids below, to spawn. This is the season par excellence, 

 and these the places for capturing this remarkable game-fish. 

 With an Abbey-fly, or yellow May-fly with black wings and 

 head, the sport can be prolonged until the passion cloys, and 

 both basket and satiety cry " Hold, enough ! " The French- 

 men in the vicinity "chum" them with bait cut up and 

 thrown where they most frequent; then catch them with 

 pork or common bait of any kind. 



Six miles above Ha Ha Bay is the little village of Chicou- 

 timi, where there are saw-mills belonging to the Hon. Dave 

 Price, a little chapel, and a couple of small taverns where 

 one may tarry a la Canuck. A little steam-tug runs up to 

 the mills betimes, and tows ships to load with lumber. Se- 

 curing passage by favor, we arrive at Chicoutimi village, and 

 obtaining canoes, ascend the river nine miles to the foot of 

 the first or lower rapids, and then cross. These rapids ex- 

 tend three miles; then there are three miles of smooth 

 water; then a second rapids of terrific strength; then ten 

 miles of still water ; then two miles of rapids ; then three- 

 quarters of a mile of still water. Finally, there succeed the 

 mighty rush and uproar of the " Grand Discharge " min- 

 gling with the foam and tumult of the " Petit Discharge." 

 These empty the waters of the Great St. John Lake, and 

 sweeping around a rugged island with terrific and unnatural 

 force, unite, and rage, contend, and finally melt and settle 

 down into the quiet mood of the still water below. At the 

 head of the third rapids, and within sight of the " Grand 

 Discharge," we shall pitch our camp. But first let us call at 

 Savard's, six miles above the first rapids. There are an old 

 man and his three sons, Louis, Pierre^iand Gustave, all excel- 

 lent boatmen and assistants in camp. We can see the house 

 now, perched on a hill of curious geological structure. In- 

 deed, from the moment we reach the lower rapids, we are con- 

 scious of entering a region of extraordinary geological marvels. 

 We tread among the wrecks and debris of a previous creation. 



