ACADIAN FISH AND FISHING. 253 



abounded in salmon, but of late years have been so un- 

 productive tliat attention need not be directed to them. 

 From the Jacques Cartier, a few miles above Quebec, to 

 the Labrador, the north shore of the St. Lawrence is 

 intersected by innumerable rivers ; in many of these the 

 salmon fishery has been nearly destroyed, but the energy 

 of the Canadian Government is fast remedying the evil. 

 The process of reproduction by artificial propagation 

 under an able superintendent, and the preservation of 

 the rivers, are bringing back the salmon to comparative 

 plenty in many a worn-out stream ; and the visitor to 

 Quebec will soon be enabled to obtain sport on the beau- 

 tiful Jacques Cartier and other rivers in the neighbour- 

 hood, without having to seek the distant fishing stations 

 of the Labrador. The Saguenay, too, with its thirty 

 tributaries, is improving ; for many years past this 

 noble river has scarcely proved worth a visit, except 

 for its wonderful scenery. In fact, the legislature, aided 

 by an excellently constituted club for the protection 

 of fish and game, have taken the matter up in earnest; 

 fish-ways are placed on those rivers which have dams or 

 slides upon them ; netting and spearing in the fresh 

 water is prevented ; an able superintendent of fisheries, 

 and several overseers, have been appointed ; and, finally, 

 an excellent measure has been adopted — the annual 

 leasing of salmon rivers to gentlemen for fly-fishing, for 

 small rents — on condition of their aiding and carrying 

 out the proper preservation of the fisheries. 



Amongst the largest and most notable salmon rivers 

 which are passed in proceeding from the Saguenay along 

 the northern shore are the Escoumins, Portneuf, Bersia- 

 mits, Outardes, Manacouagan, Godbout, Trinity, St. Mar- 



