SALMOK FISHING IN ENGLAND 



more numerous and harder fighters than in the rivers of the 

 United Kingdom. Again the sport of salmon fishing in America 

 is of comparatively recent accomplishment. There is little 

 or no literature on the subject, compared to the scores of works 

 Jby English authors, and it is the exceptional angler who is a 

 sahnon fisher ; due to the fact that the best rivers in Canada, 

 New Brunswick and other locaUties are nearly all taken by 

 clubs or controlled. Notwithstanding this, America has had 

 in the past fifty years many enthusiastic votaries of the sport, 

 from Charles Hallock to Dean Sage, and its deMghts are well 

 known and highly appreciated. Beautiful scenery is an essential 

 quality of trout and salmon streams, and I fuUy believe the 

 indulgence in the appreciation of it constitutes at least half of the 

 sport ; hence it may be adduced that I am an uncertain angler. 

 Yet I do not believe that the salmon takes its tail in its mouth 

 and by releasing it suddenly, accordplishes its greatest leaps, as 

 did the ancients, nor do I use lob-worms scented with oil of 

 polypody for bait, suggested by Walton, though later on I shall 

 make the melancholy confession that I have taken many salmon 

 with sardines and some in a beautiful pool with a spoon ; but 

 not until I had exhibited a Job-like patience with the fly. 



The English salmon doubtless has the same habit as its 

 Canadian brother. In the winter it lies in deep water off the 

 coast, possibly not far from the mouth of certain rivers, and 

 there, in a splendid investment of silver, has the habit of a vora- 

 cious salt-water fish, preying upon the small fry of all kinds in 

 company with other predaceous fishes. In the spring it moves 

 inshore, and urged on by instinct to deposit its eggs in the 

 seclusion of the upper reaches of some river, it enters fresh water 

 and slowly proceeds on its way despite all obstacles — ^nets, 

 traps, poachers and scores of enemies — and accomplishes its 

 end ; affording in the Atlantic and Pacific an example of per- 

 tinacity and indomitable persistence without equal in the animal 

 kingdom. It has even influenced man, who builds ladders 

 and runways, and steals its spawn that it may not become ex- 



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