Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-07-17

usually makes his first appearance about the twen-
teth of May, and continues in season for two
months Nearly all the streams of this region
abound in waterfalls, but those are seldom found
which the salmon does not surmount in his I" ex-
cesior" pilgrimage, and the stories related of his
leaps are truly wonderful. 1t is not often that he
is found man bound at the head of the streams he
may have assembled; but when thus found and cap
tured his flesh is white, skin black, and his form
/" long, lank, and lean is the rebbid sea-sand."
His weight is commonly about fifteen pounds, but
he is sometimes taken weighing full forty pounds The sal
important article of export from this REGION and is
also extensively used by the Indians The common mode
for taking them is with stationary net which set just on
the margin of the river at low water II is customary with
the salmon ascend the ST. Lawrence the shore as
possible, and their running time is when the tide is high
the consequence is that they the tide and
taken anoher and it is frequently the that up
wards Of three hundred taken at time. The Indian
mode for taking them is with the spear by torchgh Two
Indians generally enter canoe, and while one paddles
noseessy along the other holds forth the light (Which at
the attention of the fish and them approach
their enemy and perces them with the spear This
mode of taking the salmon be deprecated but the savage
live, and possesses no other for catching them
II is but seldom that the Indian takes than dozen dur
ing single night, for he afford waste the bounes
which he receives from Nature For preserving the salmon
the Canadians have three modes: first, by putting them in
salt for three days and then smoking them secondly, by
regularly sailing them down you would mackerel and,
thirdly, by boiling and then picking them in vinegar The
Indians smoke them, but only to limited extent
must give you some account Of my experience in the
way Of salmon fishing with the fly, Of which glorious sport
have recently had abundance If however, should give
you number Of episodes, you will please remember that
my way and that deem it privilege of the angler be-
wayward in his discourse the channels of his favo
rite mountain streams.
My first salmon expedition Of the season was to the st.
Margaret river had two companions with me one an
accomplished hyshe of Quebec, and the other the principal
man of Tadousac, lumber merchant. We went in gig
boat belonging the latter and, having started nine
o'clock, reached place of destination by twelve We
found the river unconmony high and little ry. We made
desperate effort however, and threw the line about three
hours capturing four salmon only of which il my
privilege to take. He handsome fellow, weighing
eneen pounds and in good condition, and he afforded
companions good deal of fun and placed peculiar
situation. He had taken the hook when wading in
swift water up my middle, and he discovered his
predcament he made sudden wheel and started down the
stream. My rod bent nearly DOUBLE and that must
give him all the line he wanted and having only three hun
dred feet my reel found it necessary to follow him with
all speed In doing lost my footing, and swept by
the current against pile Of logs meantime my reel in
the and whzzing away tremendous The log
upon which depended happened be in balancing cond
ton, and, when attempted surmoun it, il plunged into
the and foaed down the stream having your humble
astde of end and cngng with all his might
Onward The salmon, the log and the fisherman Fl
nay the log found its way into eddy of the river, and,
IF Isn
and fortunately reached the shore. My life having been
spared anxious than take the life of the
salmon which had caused the duckng, and held alo my
of logs and rocks which seemed have been placed there
for my especial botheraon On coming in sight of my fish,
found him in still water with his belly upward and
pletely drowned Immediately drew him a sand-bank
by, and while engaged in the reasonable employment
drying my clothes my brother fishermen up congrau
late upon my success but laughing in he time
heartily. The lumber merchant said that the log had been
riding belonged him, and his intention charge
shilling for my passage from the rift where had hooked
the salmon to the spot where had landed him. which
full view OF the saguenay and my Quebec friend remarked
that he knew the people of Yankee land had queer way Of
doing things, but he not acquainted with their peculiar
mode Of taking salmon As may be readily imagined,
traced steps back to the log shanee where had stopped
and, having carefully slowed away salmon laid aside
fishing tackle and made arrangements for little sport Of
another kind
The hamlet of st. Margaret, where we spent the night
contains eight ten log shante0s which occupied
by about twenty families composed of Canadians Indians
and halbreed They obtain their living by dressing logs and
happy they ignorant Anxious to see what we
could of society among this people, we sent forth manifesto
calling upon the citizens generally attend dance the
cabin of certain whom had engaged to give the
party expense Puncua to the appointed hour the
assembly together Many Of the did take the
trouble to wash their hands put before
ing TO the party but the neatly dressed with
blue and scarlet pettcoat which displayed night
gowns Of white cotton. The fiddler was Indian, and the
dancing hall (some twelve feet square) lighted with
wooden lamp, supplied with seal oil The dance with
any particular method and when gentleman wished
trip the light fantastic he only had to station himself
the Aoor when Of his friends would select his partner and
lead her up for his acceptance The consequence was that
if wished TO dance with any particular lady, he
obliged 10 make previous arrangement with his eadngup
friend The fiddler only furnished all the music but also
performed a goody portion Of the dancng-fdding and
dancing the time The supper laid the table
O'Clock, and consisted principally Of dried beaver tail and
carboo meat fried and boiled salmon (Which cooked out
of doors the to the cabin ye-bread maple
nolasses, and tea
The party broke up twelve o'clock, when retired
the cabin where had secured lodgings and it actual