224 THROUGH CANADA 



a huge log, fifteen to twenty feet long and thick in 

 proportion, swept right across the line. I held my 

 breath and set my teeth in expectation of calamity, 

 but, marvellous to relate, it rolled over it without a 

 touch. It was time, however, to shift my quarry, and 

 tightening up the line and throwing the rod well back, 

 I treated him to the Irish discipline of " giving the 

 butt." Gradually he came, and once on the move I 

 followed up the advantage until I had him in slack 

 water. But the dragging cost me the fish. He 

 came close to the boat, near enough for us to admire 

 his broad sides and tail, when he quietly slipped off 

 within a few feet of the gaff. 



Dame Fortune made amends by giving me a 

 brace, 6^ lbs. and 4^ lbs., within the short time at our 

 disposal, beside which I hooked and lost a couple 

 more. It is a common experience to lose a large 

 proportion of salmon on the spoon-bait, particularly 

 grilse, which cohoes resemble not only in appearance, 

 but in the softness of their mouths. 



Off Vancouver Island this kind of fishing can also 

 be indulged. The open sea near the coast, at the 

 mouth of rivers and creeks, is prolific of salmon life, 

 and fine creels can be made. On the island some of 

 the best known salm.on angling is to be obtained. The 

 Campbell is the chief river, which yields record fish 

 annually. It rises in Buttles Lake, flows through upper 

 Campbell Lake, thence to Campbell Lake proper, and 

 joins the sea above Willow Point, opposite Cape 



