THE COURSE OF THE ERASER 205 



for the use of fly or bait. A glance at the river from 

 Lytton to Westminster gives indisputable proof of 

 this. The Canadian Pacific Railway keeps close to 

 it all the way, and at no point does the water grow 

 clear, owing to thick glacial deposits. The colouring 

 makes it all the more prolific for net fishing. 



There are, however, important tributaries which 

 are clear and in good order for the indulgence of the 

 angling craft. The fish soon leave the main river 

 and press their way up these all along the coast. 



I sailed up the Eraser many miles, and although 

 on the look-out for salmon, which were running at 

 the time, I saw none breaking the water. The 

 moment we entered a tributary where the water was 

 clear they were to be seen rising all round us. 



Another condition to be noted is the depth. 

 The main rivers are very deep, especially when they 

 reach the low-lying valleys and are nearing the sea. 

 Fly-fishing in such places is out of the question. 

 Salmon that take the fly are generally found in pools 

 in comparatively light water, where they rest for a 

 day or two on their long journey. It is on these the 

 angler depends for sport. The running fish rarely 

 takes any lure. Among the boulders and swirling 

 eddies, one instinctively looks to find him. There 

 sheltered behind the big stones which break the force 

 of the water, the fly is likely to attract. Even spin- 

 ning or trolling is not very profitable in the great 

 depths unless one happens to cross a resting fish. 



