10 The American Salmon-fisherman. 



of eighteen pounds in the rivers first alluded to. This 

 difference is not a casual affair of a single season, but a 

 permanent characteristic of each river. A satisfactory 

 reason for this which will not conflict with what are sup- 

 posed to be settled facts, I have yet to hear. Is it be- 

 cause the various clans of fish which converge to their na- 

 tive rivers when leaving the sea, diverge on their depar- 

 ture to distinct and distant parts of the ocean where the 

 conditions favorable to growth vary? .This seems diffi- 

 cult to reconcile with the theory that they linger through- 

 out their ocean-life near the mouth of their native rivers. 

 Or is it possible that the universally accepted belief that 

 salmon always return to the river of their youth needs 

 further investigation; and that they really so return only 

 until they have attained a certain size, and then go else- 

 where ? 



I can suggest the question, but not its solution. 



The Penobscot, St. Croix, and Dennys River, all in 

 Maine, afford some fly-fishing for salmon. Over fifty sal- 

 mon were thus taken at Calais, Milltown, and Barings, on 

 the St. Croix, last year. Mr. E. M. Stillwell, one of the 

 Maine Fish Commissioners, writes me: "A charming 

 summer trip could be made by canoe from Vanceborough, 

 on the European Railroad, down the St. Croix to Barings, 

 Milltown, and Calais. We think good fishing [salmon] 

 could be had on the route." 



Dennys River is a fine natural stream, but much ob- 

 structed with nets, drift trash from saw-mills, and other 

 abominations. It is worth bearing in mind, since these 

 abuses will doubtless soon be brought to an end. Then 

 this river will be well worthy the attention of the angler. 



