THE LANDLOCKED SALMON 243 



cause of the strenuous life it leads, it is beyond doubt the 

 most vigorous and athletic fish that inhabits our waters. 



Says Mr. Eugene McCarthy: "None of the fresh-water 

 fish can equal its fighting powers, and, pound for pound, it 

 will outfight even the salmon. Ouananiche are great smash- 

 ers of rods and tackle, unless one understands how to play 

 them, especially when they make their numerous high jumps 

 from the water. It is not an exaggeration to state that these 

 jumps will average at least five to six, and frequently will 

 number ten to twelve feet. And such leaps! Two or three 

 feet out of the water, often toward the fisherman, then a rush 

 deep down, a pause, a succession of jerks that would seem to 

 tear the hook loose, a wild rush of varying distance, and a 

 run back, almost to the angler's feet. A fish weighing Syi 

 or 4 pounds will make a fight lasting ten or fifteen minutes, 

 often longer; and that means hard work for every moment 

 for the fisherman." ("Familiar Fish," p. 126.) 



This fish is best taken with a fly, on a rod of from six to 

 eight ounces, with No. 4 or 5 hooks. Its home is in Lake 

 St. John, Province of Quebec, and its tributaries; its outlet, 

 the Saguenay, and no one knows how many of the rivers of 

 southern Quebec that flow into the Gulf of St. Lawrence; 

 and also the rivers of Labrador. 



The Sebago Salmon,^ of Maine, is a strictly fresh-water, 

 or "landlocked," species, which takes its name from Sebago 

 Lake, its type locality. It is essentially a 15-pound fish, 

 with an average in Sebago Lake of from 8 to 10 pounds. 

 Owing to the quiet waters it inhabits, and the powerful tackle 



^ Sal'mo se-ba'go. 



