ACADIAN FISH AND FISHING. 259 



summer months far below the lakes. A place called 

 the " Black Eock," just above the head of the tide, 

 was a famous stand for grayling fishing; and ^yq 

 and six pound fish were not unfrequent. Now cut 

 off from salt water by the locks, their migrations 

 are restricted between the deep basin of the Grand 

 Lake and the numerous chains of lakes which give 

 rise to its affluents ; and the fish, whilst they seldom 

 attain a greater weight than three pounds, are not so 

 silvery in the spring as formerly. The same fish taken 

 at Loch Lomond, near Saint John^s, New Brunswick, are 

 much smaller, browner, and paler in flesh than the St. 

 Croix trout, and apparently from the same cause. 



In Nova Scotia this trout will take the fly as readily 

 late in the fall (even to first week in November) as in 

 the spring, and long after the common brook-trout ceases 

 to rise. As it is then, however, immediately proceeding to 

 the spawning grounds, and with fully developed ova, this 

 sport should be rendered illegal after October. 



Two great lake trout inhabit the deep lakes of the 

 Provinces — Salmo confinis and S. Amethystus — the former 

 being abundant, and sometimes attaining a weight of 

 twenty pounds. They may be taken in deep holes with 

 bait or spoon-hook trolled and well sunk. Their flavour 

 is insipid, and they are unentitled to more than a passing 

 notice in a description of the game fish of Acadie. 



The yellow perch (Perca flavcscens) is exceedingly nu- 

 merous in lakes and rivers. Though seldom exceeding 

 half a pound in weight, heavy baskets may be taken in a 

 day's fishing on some lakes (where they seem to affect 

 particular localities) by those who care for such sport. 

 It is a handsome fish, of a bright golden yellow colour, 



s 2 



