233 FOREST LIFE IN ACADIE. 



the rising generation of the neighbouring villages proved 

 of late years a great drawback to the chances of the 

 visitor. The pools are continually occupied by clumsy 

 and undiscerning loafers, who infest the river to the 

 detriment of sport, and do not scruple to come alongside 

 and literally throw across your line. Though dear old 

 Isaac might not possibly object to rival floats a yard 

 apart, another salmon-fly careering in the same pool is 

 not to be endured, and of course spoils sport. Still, 

 however, without such interruptions, fair fishing may be 

 obtained here, and a dozen fish of ten to twenty pounds 

 taken by a rod on a good day. Excessive netting in 

 the salt water is, however, fast destroying all prospects of 

 sport here as elsewhere. 



There are two fair sized salmon rivers entering the 

 next harbour, Margaret's Bay, which, being the nearest 

 to the capital of the province, are over-fished. With the 

 exception of a pretty little stream, called the Nine-mile 

 Eiver, which is recovering itself under the protection of 

 the Game and Fish Preservation Society, these conclude 

 the list of the western-shore rivers of Nova Scotia. 



The fishing along this shore is quite easy of access by 

 the mail-coach from Halifax, which jolts somewhat 

 roughly three times a week over the rocks and fir- 

 pole bridges of the shore-road through pretty scenery, 

 frequently emerging from the woods, and skirting the 

 bright dancing waters of Margaret's Bay and Chester 

 Basin. The woodland part of a journey in Nova Scotia 

 is dreary enough; the dense thickets of firs on either side 

 being only enlivened by an occasional clearing with its 

 melancholy tenement and crazy wooden out-buildings, and 

 by the tall unbarked spruce-poles stuck in a swamp or 



