48 THE CHATEAULIN FISHERIES. 



fail to bring out immediately the particular fish on which 

 they set their choice. 



Salmon do not always come in the same abundance. 

 If they arrive one by one they all repair to the reservoir, 

 and from the reservoir to the basin, without ascending 

 further ; but if they arrive in numerous shoals, the 

 females attracting the males, who redouble their strength 

 and ardour to follow them, then they sweep through the 

 piles which form the causeway with an incredible velo- 

 city ; the eye can scarcely follow them. In this way a 

 great number of salmon would escape the fishermen if 

 they did not take care to embark in small flat boats and 

 float along the causeway, spreading out nets whose meshes 

 are extremely close ; every fish entangled in these is im- 

 mediately conveyed into the reservoir, where it disgorges 

 its food, and acquires a more exquisite flavour. 



This fishery begins about the end of September, and 

 reaches what we may call its climax towards the end of 

 January. Prodigious quantities of fish are then captured. 

 It grows slack in May, and entirely ceases in the month 

 of July. 



The value of salmon, eitlier as a means of sport or as 

 an article of food, depends largely on the part of the river 

 where he is captured. If he is hooked near the tidal 

 waters, he is usually in good condition for sport, and in 

 equally good condition for the table. But if taken in the 

 higher waters, unless he is a fresh-run fish, still invigor- 

 ated by his ocean food, he is comparatively an ignoble 

 prey. 



There is no enjoyment for the true angler, however, 

 like fly-fishing; and the hero of a hundred fields probably 



