48 WINTER TALKS ON SUMMER PASTIMES. 



in the vicinity of the rivers have a profound respect for the 

 authority of the Queen, even when that authority is repre- 

 sented by one of their own neighbors, but they have no 

 more respect for individual rights, when those rights are 

 simply guarded by those having no official authority, than 

 our own free and independent citizens. 



But I may be mistaken in regard to the effect of this 

 change in the fishery laws of the Dominion. I certainly 

 hope so; for it would be a great misfortune, not to the Prov- 

 inces alone, nor yet simply to those who take delight in the 

 princely sport of angling, but to all consumers of this kingly 

 fish. For some reason yet unexplained, the salmcn catch 

 has largely diminished within the past few years. It would 

 be a public calamity if this new policy should result in the 

 indiscriminate slaughter of the whole salmon family while 

 on their journey to and from their spawning beds at the 

 sources of the rivers to which they resort to breed and mul- 

 tiply. I most sincerely hope that those who believe no harm 

 will result from this change of policy are right. But I think 

 otherwise, and believe my fears will be confirmed by a few 

 years' experience. 



This decision, it is proper to say, only affects the waters 

 of Quebec and New Brunswick. Nova Scotia rivers, as I 

 understand it, still remain open to all comers. 



"Well," snid one of my inquisitive friends, who has made 

 up his mind to kill a salmon at any cost, "assume that, by 

 hook or by crook, I have obtained a permit, what shall I 

 do with it; or, rather, what must I do to render it available?" 



"That is a question more easily answered than how to ob- 

 tain a permit. The first thing needful is an appropriate 

 equipment, such as rod, reel, flies and leaders. In regard to 

 a rod, the essential things are strength and elasticity. 

 Either can easily be obtained separately, but wood in which 

 both are perfectly combined is hard to get hold of. But 

 without both neither is of any use, cither in casting or in 

 killing. Aiodthat is unrespor sive is not only a very un- 

 pleasant thing to handle, but will fail to do the work re- 

 quired even in the hands of an expert. No one can cast 



