244 THROUGH CAxXADA 



is destructive of sport, as far more fish are hooked 

 than landed. At Vancouver, out of half a dozen 

 boats, I was the only angler that used a rod. I saw 

 plenty of fish hooked, but few gaffed. When the 

 object is food, it is another matter, but there was no 

 trace of indigence amongst those whom I saw using 

 hand lines freely. 



The number of fish per diem to a rod, and the 

 size to be basketed, are further matters well within 

 the province of legislation. 



I did not visit new Brunswick, where the salmon 

 angling is said to be excellent. Nearly all of it is in 

 private hands and strictly reserved. It can scarcely, 

 therefore, be so interesting to the general public. 



I have been deeply impressed with the magnificent 

 possibilities of the open water in many parts of 

 Canada. For all-round sport, I do not think it can 

 be excelled anywhere. By strict rules of conserva- 

 tion, liberal re-stocking, and insistence upon playing 

 the game, a sporting field is open for all time to the 

 sons and daughters of the Dominion. The strain of 

 commercial enterprise, now at high speed, and likely, 

 from what one sees, to continue, makes recreation of 

 one kind or another an absolute necessity. The oppor- 

 tunity of enjoying it ranks amongst a people's most 

 valuable national assets. It is incumbent upon those 

 entrusted with the people's rights to nurse and safe- 

 guard it. To plunder the gold or silver mines would 

 be ranked as a penal offence, to plunder the lakes 



