APPENDIX. 225 



homes of this valuable fish. This task the Com- 

 missioners anticipate will be one of considerable 

 difficulty. 



The spawning grounds have not yet been dis- 

 covered, and are probably situated far up the 

 Derwent near its highest sources, according to the 

 habits of Salmon in other parts of the world, where 

 there are few or no inhabitants, and where the 

 river will probably be found full of impediments to 

 the use of a net. 



That the fisheries of Tasmania will, at no distant 

 date, become a source of much profit to the Colony, 

 and materially promote its commercial interests, 

 amply repaying all the care and attention that can 

 be bestowed on them, does not admit of a doubt. 



The fish in the Derwent, whether Salmon, Salmon 

 Trout, or Common Trout, have not hitherto shown 

 much disposition to take the artificial fly ; and it 

 was therefore an event of some interest when, on 

 8th October, 1876, the first undoubted Salmon was 

 captured in this manner by Mr. Matthew Seal, one 

 of the Commissioners, below the " Palls " at New 

 Norfolk, although it was only one of a numerous 

 shoal that surrounded the boat from which that 

 gentleman and Mr. Morton Allport were fishing. 



The second fish captured by the same means, 

 and weighing 8|- lbs.) fell to Your Excellency's rod 

 and line on the 10th of January following. 



16 



