SALMON RIVERS. 609 



SALMON-FISHING IN CANADA. 



As a prelude to this portion of my Supplement, I give the first 

 letter of my critic to whom I alluded on a former page, in answer to 

 one asking further information concerning Salmon rivers. 



Montreal, January 20th, 1865. 



Dear Sir : — I was somewhat amused when my friend Mr. Dougall, 

 of our " Witness," handed me your letter. I shall have much pleasure in 

 giving you what information I have or can get touching our Salmon rivers : 

 which, however, will not be as full as I could have wished. To write 

 intelligently you would need to make a visit to each river : no amount of 

 " cramming" can equal seeing. 



I enclose the government advertisement, with my amendments, which 

 explains itself. 



Also, a slip cut from one of our Quebec newspapers, giving the results 

 of our 1863 fishings. 1862 and 1863 were good years ; 1864 was a failure, 

 chiefly owing to the extreme drought and consequent low water, and 

 fishermen getting to the ground after the first run of Salmon had passed 

 up. 



I note those of our Salmon rivers which are worth anything, in the 

 order of their value, as follows : — 



Goodbout. — This I consider our best river. It is not too distant, but is 

 far enough off to prevent interruption. There are no settlements on or 

 near it, nor can there be, the country is so wild ; the pools are close to . 

 the sea, and are easily fished ; and the fish are mixed, and take the fly 

 well ; and in favorable seasons are abundant enough, Mr. R. H. P., 

 of your city, fished this river last year. — He will be able to give you 

 full information. 



Mingan and us branch Manitou. — The above remarks apply to this 



' river also. 



Moisie. — A very large river, and full of fish. It has been fished for four 

 or five years, by Messrs. Williams and Bacon, of Boston, who can give 

 full information touching it. They are the lessees. 



St. John. — Also a large river, in which fish are superabundant, but 

 difficult to get at ; the best pools being some 27 miles up the river. I 

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