SALMON-FISHING 



By A. G. WILKINSON. 



ii LTHOUGH the salmon is the acknowledged king of fishes, 

 l_\ and the taking of it the most royal of sports, yet compara- 

 X X. tively few indulge in the pastime. There are certainly 

 many, and those too among the foremost men of our country, 

 who concede fully the benefits to be derived, not only from open-air 

 life and exercise, but from having some pursuit or specialty outside 

 of business and profession, — call it hobby, if you will, — which, while 

 it gives rest to certain faculties of the mind, equally exercises and 

 strengthens others. They realize truly that life is better than fame, 

 and sound lungs and good digestion than a fat purse ; but the diffi- 

 culties in the way of taking salmon turn most of these in a different 

 direction for their recreation. 



The three principal hinderances to salmon-fishing in this 

 country are : the great trouble in obtaining either a lease of a 

 stream or a permit for the best part of the season ; the great 

 distances to be traveled, and consequent loss of valuable time ; 

 and the large expense as compared with other sorts of outdoor 

 amusements. 



The region where salmon can at the present day be taken, in suffi- 

 cient numbers to reward one for the attendant trouble and expense, 

 is a circumscribed one. Beginning at Quebec, and following down 

 the river St. Lawrence, the salmon -streams are very numerous upon 

 the northern shore, and extend far away to the Labrador coast. 

 Among them are the well-known Laval, Godbout, Trinity, St. 

 Margaret, Moisic, St. John's, Magpie, Mingan, Great and Little 

 Romaine Rivers. 



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