64 WINTER TALKS ON SUMMER PASTIMES. 



the salmon ; and they are next of kin to that noble fish in 

 habit, weight, flavor, and every gamy quality. 



Until within a very few years not many anglers on our 

 side of the line were in the habit of "going for" salmon. 

 Even so recently as ten years ago a "Yankee" was seldom 

 seen on the best rivers. But they have of late multiplied 

 twenty-fold, and if they do not now they soon will consti- 

 tute a majority of the "simple wise men," to whom the gentle 

 art has become irresistibly fascinating; and the fact is not 

 altogether agreeable to our English cousins, whatever our 

 Canadian neighbors may think of it. The London Field 

 gives expression to its displeasure thus: 



"The principal rivers are leased by Americans, to whom 

 money is no object. When they take a fancy to a particular 

 river, there is no mistake about it, they will have it." 



And the Field only speaks the simple truth. The New 

 York Club, of which President Arthur, Mr. Yander- 

 bilt, Robert Dun and a score of other wealthy gentlemen 

 are members, paid a fabulous price for the best portion of 

 the Restigouche, and Mr. Blossom and his associates were 

 almost equally liberal in the price they paid for the lower 

 twelve miles of the Cascapedia, These are, by all odds, the 

 best rivers in the Provinces. Other first-class rivers will be, 

 if they have not already been, similarly secured "by Ameri- 

 cans, to whom money is no object." And the opportunity 

 to do so has been greatly facilitated by the recent riparian 

 decisions. Previously, the government officials had supreme 

 control, and they were not always indifferent to the solicita- 

 tions of their home friends. Leases, like kisses, often went 

 by favor, as more than one American bidder has had occa- 

 sion to know. But individual owners are not likely to forego 

 a good offer from a "Yankee" to accept a poorer one from a 

 "Kaimck." The result will be a more equitable distribution 

 of leases and permits and an increased influx of American 

 anglers. So be it. Men who have money to spend for 

 coveted enjoyments can expend it for nothing more health- 

 ful, harmless and exhilarating than in the delightful pastims 

 of angling for salmon. 



