and the Maritime Provinces. 167 



them with as keen anticipations of sport as is the annual trip to the nor- 

 thern streams by the salmon fisherman. It is a rapid-swimming fish, and 

 covers a considerable area in its foraging. It is fished for by sportsmen 

 sometimes — though rarely — by trolling, but usually by still-fishing from 

 a boat which is anchored in the tide-ways that it frequents. The young 

 flood-tide is generally the best, and from that to the half-ebb the greatest 

 number of fish are taken. The tackle used is a strong bait-rod, with about 

 fifty yards of line on a good-sized reel, a stout gut leader, a hook not too 

 large, but with a wide bend, — ordinary trout hooks are used by many 



anglers, a brass swivel-sinker heavy enough only to carry the bait to the 



proper depth, and a float, although this is dispensed with by some fisher- 

 men. The best bait is a piece of sheddar-crab, but when this is not to be 

 obtained, shrimp, or a piece of lobster or quahaug proves successful. 



The float is attached to the line at a distance from the hook equal to 

 about two thirds the depth of the water, and is then allowed to be carried 

 by the tide fifteen or twenty yards from the boat. The squeteague is a 

 sharp, fearless biter, and the instant the hook is felt, the fish gives a vigor- 

 ous run, sometimes taking out ten or fifteen yards of the line and causing 

 the reel to sing merrily. The first run is always the strongest, but the 

 fight is sure to be an interesting one as long as it continues. With almost 

 electric speed the fish rushes about in every direction ; now with a quick 

 run it dives deep in the water, and tries to entangle the line in the weeds 

 and rocks at the bottom. 



Failing in this, it darts to the surface and leaps high in the air with all 

 the agility that the grilse displays, shaking its head like a bass and making 

 every effort to dislodge the hook ; the angler, therefore, needs to call into 

 requisition all his skill and patience, for in addition to its gaminess the 

 squeteague has a very tender mouth, and the hook quickly springs out if 

 the strain of the rod is kept up too harshly. 



It is, while it lasts, as exciting a struggle as one can wish, but the fish 

 soon becomes exhausted, and, lying on its side, permits the angler to draw 

 it nearer and nearer, until finally the landing net is employed and the cap- 

 tive is lifted into the boat. 



It is almost impossible to describe the beautiful iridescent coloration of 

 the squeteague when it is first taken from the water. The green and 

 purple and gold, added to and blended with the silver sheen of its armor, 

 make it one of the handsomest of fish, but its bright colors soon fade, like 

 those of all other species, and in a short time it becomes dull and 

 unattractive. 



It is, like the bluefish, exceedingly voracious, the number of small fish 

 that it destroys being very great ; but it kills only for food, while the other 

 continues its attacks long after its appetite is gratified. Owing to the 



