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Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 TM Leaping Ouananiche What It Is, Where, When and How to Catch It \ ,':•!t^ lli: \ .-"^ By EUGENE MCCARTHY Forest and Stream Publishing Co., 318 Broadway, New York The heaping Ouananiche The Leaping Ouananiche WHAT IT IS WHERE, WHEN and HOW TO CATCH IT BY EUGENE McCarthy $ NEW YORK FOREST AND STREAM PUBLISHING COMPANY 1894 ZH62^ Ml oL c ipyriglit, i,S()4, by the Forest :iiui Stit ;ini l^iblishing Company A I'irst Word So ijTTi.K has been written about oiiananiclie fishing, its modes and its merits, its charms and its rewards, that there is call for a handbook of specific information (oncerning the fish and of definite instructions in the art of its enticement. Impelled by the obligation which rests upon everv sportsman to give his fellows in the craft the fruit of his own experience and knowledge, 1 have prepared this brochure. Its purpose is to put into compact and intelligent form all that may be necessary for the guidance of newcomers in the |)icturesque haunts of this noble game fish. The volume is dedicated to my fellow sportsmen; to all those who may find in it practical helpfulness; to all who in the freedom and freshness of the woods may give over for a time the tax of business, and as did Izaak Walton him.self ^ may find in fishing forgetfulness of the vexations and v/orries of life. E. McC. What It Is What It Is Five years ago, 1 accidentally heard that away to the north in the wilds of Canada, there was a new fishing territory opened up to the angler, the Lake St. John region ; and I heard, too, for the first time, the name of that great fish, the ouananiche. I at once made the trip, for I was completely worked up over the glowing accounts I had heard ; and finding them to be all truth, and no fiction, I became a most enthusiastic admirer of the sport to be had in that country, and have spent a month or more there each year since. The fighting qualities of this fish are so great that they pass understanding, and with five years of experience in angling for them, I conclude each year that I know less about how to hook, handle and land them. 9 The Leaping Ouananiche True, I have always saved enoui^h to satisfy in p'^int of numbers, but it does hurt one's pride to feel at the end of each day's catch, that 31/ pounds of fish has frequently outwitted 225 pounds of man; and that the man's superior in- telligence has availed him only to the extent of saving less than half of the pugnacious ouananiche that have become acquainted with his hook. The word ouananiche is a new one but recently in use amongst anglers, as it represents a new member of the salmon family, found in a new section of country, and is a fish but little known, even at present. Already classed above the black bass and brook trout as a fighter, and ranking second only to the salmon {Salmo salar), it is destined to become the most sought after and noted of our game fish. It is peculiar alone to Lake St. John in the Province of Quebec and its tributaries, and these waters having been practi- cally opened to easy access within a few years only, the existence of this w^onderful fish is rap- idly attracting the attention of noted fishermen. How much tackle will be broken, how many rods smashed, and arms lamed, will result from the 10 i in J to in- of iclie ntly lew new wn, ack :ing is and to its LCti- yars ■ap- len. ods the 'A O Eh O -t1 o The Leaping Ouananiche introduction of the ouananiche to the an.gHni( pubhc cannot be tokl. The outlet of Lake St. John, the Sai^aienay, has always been noted as a hne salmon river, for it receives smaller fresh water rivers that afford fine spawninjr crrounds. At some remote period, the entire river to the lake afforded easy ascent for the spawning salmon. Some upheaval of nature occurred, raisinjr an impassable barrier at Chicou- timi, a fall of some 60 or 70 feet in heig-ht, im- prisoninor the salmon above. Thus prevented from returninir to salt water, the)- have become land- locked salmon, or ouananiche, depreciated in size only from their oricrinal progenitors. The word ouananiche is from the dialect of the Montagnais Indians who inhabit the country about Lake St. John. The)- have always been familiar with this fish, and understandincr its derivation, have properly named it '\manan;' meaning salmon, and ''ic/ic'' the diminutive— "the little salmon." Report has it that one of 14 pounds was taken in the Little Disclia-x; of the lake several \ears ago, but none approximating that weight have been taken since. In an ordinary catch the fish II The Leaping Ouananiche will average from 3 to 3^ pounds each, although smaller and larger ones are as frequently caught. I have seen several taken weighing 8 to 8^ pounds, but individually, 7^/^ pounds has been the largest I have secured. The ouananiche differs materially from, the land- locked salmon found in a few of the Maine lakes. While both are so-called land-locked salmon, they differ somewhat in appearance, the former being caught almost exclusively in the swiftest running rapids entirely with the tly; the latter in the smooth, quiet waters of lakes, and principally with the spoon. Concerning the relative merits of the two fish, and especially the manner of catching them, there can be no comparison or controversy, and I will not therefore go further into the subject Upon making a close comparison of a 7^-pound ouananiche with an 18-pound salmon, side by side, as I had an opportunity to do recently, I could discover little, if any, difference; they are truly congeneric. The contour differs in not even a slight degree. The color, almost black on the back, shades to a light gray on the side, while the belly is silvery white; in all respects colored as is 12 3 ugh ight. inds, •gest and- ikes. they eing ning loth, oon. and can not \ •und >ide, Diild ruly n a the the s is X, 75 7? a o b b! The Leaping Ouananiche the salniv^n. It has a true sahiinn head, lar!j;c, roiiiul, black spots appear on tli(.' ^ills, the St. Antlrcw crosses on the hod)- arc; plentiful, it has the small (l(.'sh)' tin on top antericjr to the tail, peculiar to the salmon family. Tht: tins, especi- all)- the caudal, and the tail, are extremel)' lar^e. The scale's are an exact counterpart of thos(; of the salmon, while tlu! llc;sh is hard and tlak\-, al- ways pink, although varyin^i in shade, and proper- ly cooked, it is fulh' equal to, if not htitter than that of the salmon. When first cauL,dit and tak(,'n from the water, the hack and sides of the? ouanan- iche have a most beautiful peacock blue shade that one must stop and admire. This disappears withiii a few moments, and L;ives plact; to the tru(; s.'il- rnon color described above. Its natural lurkin*^ place is in swift running- ra^ pids, or the foam-covered, whirlin<^, edchiuL;" pools below. It st.'ems almost imj)ossibUi to hncl water too rapid for these fish, and I have often taken them on experimental casts from a seething, mist- hidden pool directly under a ten or twelve foot heavy fall. The power derived from its lar^e fins and tail, easily enables it to move through, 13 The Leaping Ouananiche and rest in the most rapid water, and l)y tlu; same power it can jump fully twelve feet of sheer fall, as I have fre([uently seen them do. Take into consideration the rou^h water in which the ouanan- iche is hooked and played, as also the fact that a seven-ounce rod is holdinLj^ a ground and lofty tumblinsr fish a<{ainst this current, and some idea can be had of the merits of this tishinsj:. Such is the ouananiche, or land-locked salmon of Lake St. John. Akin to the salt-water salmon in every particular, except size, it is a beautiful fish to look upon, the stron<^est and hardest fii^hter that I have ever met with, one that tests the tackle and skill of the anj^ler to the fullest extent; in total, the kino- of fresh-water fish. One of the best descriptions of the Lj^ame qual- ities of the ouananiche that I have ever seen, appeared in the Quebec Chronicle a few years a<^o, and it so impressed me that I have always had it in mind since. It is so j^^ermane to the subject in hand, that it is worthy of repetition, and I will reproduce it here: "In proportion to their size, these ouananiche are the gamiest fish that swim. They are pecu- 14 same fall, into man- that lofty idea Such ^akc very look liave skill the The Leaping Ouananiche a h^'ht as different in c„m,.a,-i,son with other f sh - .s that u.,t a dark-colored tront hooked in e I'cav.est rap.ds. compared with the half-he- rted ■;:"f' '■ °f '' '"-^y '-'"Kerh-n, in a cryst L n proportion to his avoirdupois, he can do more ackle smashmg, ponnd for pound, than anv flsl '■" -nns. His leaps are terrific; he can .^ a Wack bass Ion, odds, and then show him poi in liigh jumping." ''"''' [ual- een, ears vays the :ion, iche ecu- Where Wh ere I well remember examining a map of the Prov- ince of Quebec to find Lake St. John, and how to get there. Located as it is, two hundred miles due north of the city of Quebec, and the map showing but little settlement, and giving only an imperfect idea of what is beyond, I felt as though I was going to leave the confines of civilization far behind. An examination to-day of the latest map of Ca- nada, will convey merely an idea of the vastness of the primeval, unsettled forest without any detail. Especially north of Lake St. John is this true; a few tracings showing only the rivers will in' dicate all-— and how little — known of the terri- tory. But little effort is being made by the Gov- ernment to explore and map it, and I firmly be- 19 The Leaping Ouananiche lieve that American sportsmen will discover the topography first, in their desire to find new hunt- ing and fishing grounds. Lake vSt. John is by far the largest body of water to be found for several hundred miles north of the St. Lawrence River. Bearing the Indian name Pikouagami, this inland sea measuring fully 30 miles across in any direc- tion, lies deep in the midst of the old Laurentian Mountains, a marvel of beauty to the artist, a par- adise to the auixler. Tributary to the lake are some eighteen rivers, large and small, flowing from all points of the compass. The most noted are the Ashuapmouchouan from the northwest, the Mistassini from the north, the Peribonca from the northeast, the Metabetchouan and Ouiatchouan from the south, the Ouiatchouaniche and Iroquois from the west. The three first named rivers are respectively 300, 350 and 400 miles in length, very deep, and will average from one and a half to two miles wide at their mouth. For all this iireat inrush of water, but one outlet is provided by nature, the Saguenay River, or as it is termed until it reaches tide water, the Grand Discharge. Taking its course through a mountain 20 The Leaping Ouananiche chasm filled with rocks, rapids and falls, this great body of water hurls itself against and over the opposing barriers with mighty strength, boil- ing, surging and leaping with an indescribable roar and confusion, until with its final plunge at Chicoutimi, as the dark, mysterious Saguenay, it quietly seeks the sea. The south shore of Lake St. John, cleared back for a distance of about three miles, is settled to some extent; back of this, two-thirds of the dis- tance to Quebec, is an unbroken forest. From the lake north to St. James Bay, it is absolutely unsettled with the exception of a few Hudson Hay Company posts and depots for supplies. Primeval forest, a network of rivers and lakes! Who can fully gauge the success that awaits the hunter or fisherman who penetrates it? Properly, the abid- ing place of the ouananiche, the Lake St. John country offers as well unequalled trout fishin^r and splendid hunting for large and small game. Connected now with Quebec by the Quebec and Lake St. John Railroad, the trip is made in eight hours, through a wild, wooded mountain country, the picturesqueness of which relieves the journey 21 wmm The Leaping Ouananiche from monotony and fatigue. On arrival is found the Hotel Roberval, perfect in all respects, every facility being offered the sportsman for his suc- cess and every effort put forth for the comfort of all. Within twenty-four hours ride of New York, these Canadian Adirondacks are as accessible and convenient in all ways as are the Adirondacks of New York State. Ouananiche fishing is found only in Lake St. John, the various rivers flowing into it, and the Grand Discharge. None of the surrounding lakes, unless in direct connection with the rivers, con- tain them. At the first glance this is apparently a small and circumscribed territory. How quickly, however, will the first visit dispel that idea ; the magnitude of the lake, the length and breadth of the rivers, will prove that there is ample room for the multitude of fishermen who may visit it. All this territory, beginning some lo or 12 miles south of the lake, including 12 miles of the Grand Discharge, and extending north to the watershed of the great rivers mentioned, embracing all the territ^^r drained by them, in extent over 100,000 .quir:. m'^'^s, is owned by, or leased to, Mr. H. J. )iind very suc- ifort ork, and s of St. the ikes, con- ;ntly :kly, the 1 of Dom t it. liles ■and ;hed the ,000 I.J. :^!JixMiltffm!f.i X! o y, y, y< The Leaping Ouananiche a-, •/J o 05 y, y. Bct'iiiLT of Montreal. Tjx)!! the coni[)lL'tion of the railroad from Oiiebec, Mr. lU;enuM-, rcco^niziiiL;' the' value of the country to sportsmen, erect(!tl tlu* magnificent H(jtel Roberval, and threw open with- out chari^e this immense preserve to patrons of the house. Three years later, the Island House at the Grand Discharge was built under the same management, for the convenience of fishermen at that point. A daily communication across the lake, between the two hotels, is maintained b)- the larij^e sidewheel steamer " Mistassini." Naturally the most convenient place to \isit, and affording- at all seasons oood avera^re fishiius the Dischartre attracts the Lrreater number of vis- iters, Imt the fishing- pools are numberless, and there is amjjle room for all. The supply of ouananiche is in realitv inexhaustible, and it is certain that this and the succeeding- ^reneration of anglers will fail to deplete them. For trips up any of the rivers, the start is usually made from the vicinity of the Roberval, guides and canoes being engaged there. Provisions, tents, blankets, camp kits — in fact, everything needed for a com- fortable camp — are furnished at the hotel. 23 B" The Leaping Ouananiche To those intending to visit Lake St. John, I would advise that nothini;- except necessary cloth- inpr and tackle should he taken, and nothinj^ dif- ferent in clothiuLT from that used in the New York Adirondacks. Althouirh much further north than the Adirondacks, the w('ather is (juite warm, with occasional very hot days, the niij^hts only provin_ii^ cold. The country is so vast, the sport both in huntin■' tr:- ' vt •MP'.-*?*', ■ei-^i. i*v-i. -^.-i .■si»»?*f,»«h-iii-Wf«Kip'l s&siiniiaiiiMiiiiiiMHiiii if.^t« .-,*»«'•*»'-«■ ■*4i»«W«w»(* ii« . n d<. | i i ii*M i i m fi w wi i ww<»^«>>Mw»taMtwwwitf'^*W>Ji..\ ..^^ if, f::^ *-i S. <.3.. '\ >. ^»^ r.V<;K i iw w&m ' » 'w rt id b iii M^ The Leaping Ouananiche circumscribed, open to other seekers for sport, to small and confined sections that are fairly high- ways of travel, and overrun. Others recognize these facts as well as I, and that the end must come — is near at hand. Nothing therefore is left but to change one's grounds. The Lake St. John country offers every inducement ; a new country, and a new fish, plenty of trout and game, will reward the sportsman so amply, that he will ex- claim, as did L "Eureka!" I When Wh en The question as to the proper time to i^^o to Lake St. John for ouananiche is often asked me. Fortunately, the season is of such duration, and the fishing- ahvays so good, that it will suit the va- cation time of almost all. The season for ouananiche fishing is at any time from the breaking up of the ice in the spring, until the close of the open season. The fishing is always there, good at all times during the time mentioned, but must be soui^ht after in different waters as the season advances. The ice breaks up in Lake St. John anywhere from May 15th to June ist, generally ai)out May 20th. The Hotel Roberval opens about June ist, and closes September 15th, thus accommodating 2() The Leaping Ouananiche an j^ine 15th to July ist to loth the fishing is conML";! to the Grand Dis- chars^e. F'ollowing this, the July, August and September fishing is to be had at best in the larger rivers, the Ashouapmouchouan, Mistassini, and Peribonca. As these latter months advance, the ouananiche must be followed on their course up these rivers towards the spawning beds. Fair fishinor can be had in the Discharire at all times, but a good angler appreciates fishing best, when success is attended by a fair amount of work to attain it. Therefore will he seek the more distant pools of the rivers last mentioned, and always return satisfied with his trip, the un- equalled sport he has had, and his catch. It is 30 The Leaping Ouananiche no exagcreration to say that orood catches can al- ways be had. True, there are days when, "Wiiul from the cast, The fish bite least," prevail, the elements conspire to prevent, or tiie fish themselves are not running-. However, a week or ten days spent at the proper place at the proper times mentioned, will insure a satisfactory catch. In five years' experience I have heard but one opinion in regard to catching this land-locked sal- mon, and that is that it far surpasses fishing- for any other fresh-water fish. There have been a very few who visited I.ake ,St. John with only one or two days in which to fish, and being limited in time, had necessarily to go to the Grand Discharge, although either too late in the season for that point, or had a day when the fishing was not at its best, entailing poor catches, or little sport. Ouananiche, like trout or bass, will at times fight poorly, but onl\- at times. To-da)' deadened and stupefied by the conditions of the water and elements, to-morrow \er)' much alive and fighting as thev alone can fioht. The Leaping Ouananiche A hurried trip to Lake St. John for fishiiiL^ is not to he advised. At least two weeks should be taken, which, excludini^ the time spent on the jour- ney, will leave at least a week or ten days — suf- ficient to visit any point where the best fisbini^ may prevail. For fishini^ the Grand Discharge, the fisher- man makes his headquarters at the Island House, making daily canoe trips to the various pools; or, if preferred, a camping- trip can be made as far down as Isle Maleine. It is l)eyond the power of description to convey an idea of the grandeur, excitement and thrilling experiences which attend canoe hshing in the Discharge. Seemingly impas- sable rapids are descended, the skill of the Ca- nadian, or Indian canoemen s-ruidino; the canoe easily between and around rocks, through swift currents and heaving pools, now crossing rapids close above a fall or the boiling waters below, until one enters fully into the excitement, all fear allayed. In undertaking a camping trip up the larger rivers, the start can be made l)y canoe from the hotel, or time can be saved bv taking the small 32 r IS I be OLir- -suf- linnr her- Lise, or, far wer nir, md )a.s- Ca- loe nft ids )VV, 2ar ^er he all !/3 &4 'A O O [I The Leaping Ouananiche steamer "Undine." In llu: event of lu.-avy winds, this would he absolutely necessary, as the' lake; is then impassable for canoes. IJy takin.Li" tlu.' steamer, puttino- the canoes, provisions, etc.! aboard and ascendino- the Peribonca or Mistassini as far as navioation is possiblcN the .L^reater part of a day can be saved. A like savin- can be effected in a trip up the Ashouapmouchouan, by cartinu- canoes and bagoacrc oN-cr a fair road around the lu'ad of the lake to P,ear Iiu, ami unless t\ni wattT is of LTootl liciuht, th(; fish cannot ascend thcni ; as a consccjucncc;, the: pool l)c'l()\y nearly always affords tine tishini:^. Tht: falls are reached by canoe in a day and a half from the hotel. The Peribonca is usually as- cended as far as Lake Tshota^ama, distant about 50 miles from the Roberval. On this trip there are eleven falls, around t.'ach of which a portaij^e must be made, two da)s' stead)' canoeing- being" necessary to reach the lake. Here are found ouananiche of larg^e size and plentiful, a fine; camp- ing place and most magnificent mountain scenery. I have neglected to state that all trips are made bv means of birch bark canoes. These are built by the Indians and are marvels of beauty, strength and lightness. More comfortable by far than a boat, they are absolutely safe. In fact, many waters now accessible throuijh their medium, could not be reached in a small boat of any other de- scription. Other trips without number can be made, but I have noted only those that I have found to be the easiest and where at the proper time satisfac- tory success can be had. 34 .ncv., d i, as- 30Ut lere unci mp- LTy. acic uilt gth 1 a my uld de- JLlt be ac- The Leaping Ouananiche It would take a lono- chapter to (k-scrilu: even I few of tlic many trips possible for trout and anu.', and for that detail only those that should reason I have mentioned HI for the best of proper!)- be niad( ouananiche tishini--. Mr. i\'itte rson, who has charox! of the ouldes at the Roberval and who for many years was in the Hudson Hay in, will suL!L^est Company's employ at Lake St. |ol and describe numberh ess places to visit for suc- cessful huntin^r or fishin^- of any kind. In th past his business has caused h in all direction e ini 1(1 mak(.' trips s, and almost every foot of the ter- lim. One has but ritory is perfectly familiar to 1 to su^^rorest the kind of sport wanted and the le will plan the length of time to be spent, and 1 trips and arrancrc all detaih Owinu; to this arrano-ement. th St. John for the first t they will know at once the best pi good sport and how to reach them. ose visitino- Lake ime can feel assured that aces to o() for How 37 H ()\V "I'Vlt the loose line jerk and li^li.Len ; As he drew it in, it tn,i;<;e(l so That the hirch hark canoe stood endwise." Aptly do the words of Hiawatha jjortray, in part, what I wish to describe. "How!" A small word indeed, hut what a task its e\[)lanation sets hefon; me to perform. Should I beoin by confessiiio- that I do not know how to catch ouananiche myself, I beliexe that I would ap[)roximate the truth. 'Hie more time one spends in this fishing-, ami the more; one studies the tish, tlu^ sooner on(;'s belief is str(,'n<'th- enecl thrit the knowletl^i; which should follow prac- tice! L;rows less instead of greater. With ex|)er;' ence in catching" ouananiche, one formulates cer- tain itleas as to the [)roper wa)- to strike them. 39 The Leaping Ouananiche to play them, and to land them. Suddenly a change comes over the spirit of the fish, and the supposed proper methods arf far better to honor in the breach rather than in the observance. These changes are radical, and oft-occurring; applying as well to just where to find them as to their action when strikinuf and when hooked. I have before mentioned that the ouananiche are great fighters, surpassing even the trout and black bass in this particular; and it would almost seem as though there was method in their fight, they vary it in quality but not in quantity. To-day they are to be caught only in the white, boiling water just under a fall, to-morrow in the more quiet water beyond ; to-da)' the)- fight when hooked, b)' constantly leaping from the* water, to- morrow by running and sulking deep down ; now they make prodigious jumps for a passing darning needle, or some other member of the moiiclic famil\-, and are not to be tempted by any of our flies. Again they rise quickly to any color or kintl of cast that we may give them. When an ouananiche is hooked, he is not even half caught ; as ni)- guides w ould say, ''Jh'cbis comp- 4" r a the lor sse as on he lid )St n, e, le ;n 0- vv IC ir •r n ■li 03 ►J a o 2 X x 'Ji O i3 < The Leaping Ouananiche tecs, ic loiip Ics maiioc/' trul their chickens before tl y one should not count ouananiche before the\- are netted, ic ouananiclie has one mortal K'v are hatched, nor their Tl pickerel {brochct), w abounds, and which c. cnenn- \\\ the n ith which Lake St, Joh row to enormous si/e. I have frequently cau-ht ouananiche bearinu- huve scars, both recent and old, sh from the en <)\\in<>- narrow esc, hooked, and attribut c-my. Perhaps feelino" t, ipi le wou nd wnen in.^- it to their natural m ay have somethino- to d enenn' o \\ n an fii^du as they will. I do is simply tremendous causniL'' th em to y event, the fiyhtinw- they \\\ rouo-h water the ouananiche is rarel when he takes the ily, the cl ino- his strike. The first int it jump from the water in th \ seen lojjpy waxes conceal- imation will be to see and a severe tighten i c vicinity of the casi this occurs when the cast is 1 no- strain on the li ne If )cino; drawn in and the rod elevated back, somethino- will break unless it is possible for the tip to 1 )c rajjidlv tdven. If in smooth water, the strike can be seen, and the tip given at once. Strike the fish firmly, but without a sharp jerk, 41 The Leaping Ouananiche as th(.'y usually hook only in the lip, liL,^htly, and the lly is easily torn out. h'ollow at once by tlraw- m^^ (juickly an absolutely tig"ht line, never relax, even an inch. Stop the reel, draw out between the reel and first ring from three to four feet of line taut in the left hand, (jive the fish the butt of the rod as much as possil)le, hold it absolutely tight without giving line except when it leaps; then slightly drop the tip and follow the leap with the necessary line from that held in the left hand. Being held absolutely in check without slack, the fish runs only within a short radius, pulling usu- ally with all its strength ; this may result in laming the wrist, but more fish are saved. If preferred, the reel can be used and the ouananiche allowed to run, but they turn and return so quickly that the slack can not easily be recovered ; result, that another run with the slack tiirhtens the line with a jerk, the hook is torn out or broken, and the fish gone. Individually, I find an automatic reel preferable, as It will take the slack as rapidly as given, and to it I attribute the saving of many fish. Never hurry the fish, or attempt to lead it to the net until satisfied that it Is thoroughly 42 The Leaping Ouananiche tired out, and do not relax tlu; strain, or watcli- fulncss. until safely netted. An ouananiclK; of about 3 pounds wei^crju will retjuire fully fifteen to twenty minutes or more, to kill it, and it will fi.!L,du hard every moment. Now it will leap from the water anywhere from two or three to a dozen times, risin^r fully three or four feet from the surface, returnin,Lr to the water only to make an immediate wild rush to- ward the bottom. If near a fall, it will make many attempts to rush under the fallini^r water, or in the rough part of the rapids, there to sulk, pull, and often shake violently to release the hook. Then perhaps, a rush toward the f^siierman, a quick turn and deep down again, a moment's rest and then a violent race to and fro, as far as the line wdl permit. The jumps are quick, and occur when least expected often following one another in quick succession, In fact, the fish are never at rest, but change their tactics every moment: each fish fights differentl)', the method pursued in catching one will scarcely apply to the next. The hand and mind must act in unison (juickly, and both will be thoroughly occupied. There are .w many '' ifs'' 43 The Leaping Ouananiche tliat it is cas)- to iiiKlerstand liow ([iicstionaljlci is tlu! saviiiL;' of tin: Tish after l)ciiiL;- hooked. Jf well hookc^cl, if tlu; hook shall tear out. or if the hook, leader, line or rod shall not break. W\ prei)arcd to lose, as a rule, more lish than )()U save; ; that is the common ex[)erience. In rejjard to the selection of tackle;, the; greatest care must be uscid. I fmd that an " ]'y silk line with a 6-foot leader is best, and am ahva)'s sure that my leaders and llies are new, well made', and will sLand a ij^ood prior test. An " 1{ " line bein^" hea\')', is less liable to break, and cannot be cut by the rocks when drawn across them, as fre- quently happens in playini;" a fish. A short leader is necessary to prevent its beint^- tangled in the rouiJ^h water of the ra|)ids, or from the violent play' of the fish. All amblers have their favorite rods, either split bamboo, lancewood, or greenheart. All are good — the lighter and more sprin'>\' tht;\' are, the better. Rods from 6^ to 8 ounces in weight are the best, although lii/hter and e\en much heavier ones are used. The practical point is to have plenty of them, at least two or three, with several 44 The Leaping Ouananichc Ed a extra tips. Broken rods, and tijjs cspcciail)-, are a frctpicntly occurring; contini^^cncy of ouananichti fish in j^;'. I'lioht or ti'n varieties form an ample variety of flies, and most of them should Ik; tii'd on No. 4 hooks. The Jock Scott, Silver Doctor, Hrown Hackle, Cow Dung, Seth (Ireen, Lord Baltimore, Parmacheene Belle, and Scarlet Ibis, I have al- ways found to give me sufficient variety, and 1 have rarely used anything else. A good supply should be taken, since those not broken soon be- come worn and battered from violent usa^-^e. are useless and need to be fre(iuently renewed. I find, as a rule, that the most successful cast is Cow Dung or Brown Hackle for trailer, and a Jock Scott or Silver Doctor for dropper. Use two flies only, and fasten the dropper at the last knot on the leader next to the line. By doing this, it will skip the surface better, and will take most of the fish, as its action seems to attract them more. To give advice just how to fish for ouananiche, md to make fishing successful, is an utter impos- ^^ibility; general information only can be given. It is practically necessary to know what to take in 45 The Leaping Ouananiche the way of cl()tll'^i^^ tackle, etc.. as one Is too far removed from a hasc; of siipphes to iL^et anythini; that ma)" be needed. It is necessary also to know what one has to combat with in catchinir the ouananiche. what to use, and in a j^^eneral way how to use 't. Such knowledire to the angrier tishinijf these waters for the first time, will save him much vexation, a (juantit)' of broken tackle, and per- chance some fish. l>eyond this, his own acquired e.\i)erience will be his guide. I^xperience alone can prove his teacher. As the Trench say, ". / force lie Joroe?' on devient foi\^erojr — practice alone makes {perfect. Previous fishinjj^ experience is a j^Teat aid, but the ouananiche is so totalh' dif- ferent from other fi^h that it is like learnin''' a new art to successfulh' an<;le for and land it. When fishiuL;' the pools in the rivers, it is i^en- erally better, and more convenient, to fish from the rocks, but in the Cirand Dischari^e one can more readily reach the pools from a canoe. Imagine yourself in the midst of a boilinii^ rapid. your canoe dancinL( and boundini^' on the troubled waters, \'()u make a cast, and \()u have hooked an ouananiche, or perhaps two, as sometimes hap- 46 The Leaping Ouananiche pens. Here \oii have excitement he)'oncl compare. IinaL;ln(.: the skill iiecessar)- to handle antl save them; your xaried emotions; \-oiir surroundings — all — and then one; full)' appreciates that he is en^aj^ed in the fnn'st fishiuL;" known. No rittin^- euloL^y can be i^ixen such fishiiiL;-. Only those who have been fortunate enough to enjo\- it can understand and ap[)reciate. lUit one pro\iso is to Ixt made to insun? satis- factory success in ouananiche hshiuL;', and that is to take! sufhcient time to fairly test them in tlie rit>ht \vater>; at th.e riLiht times mentioned. /•.7 other Sport to be Had 49 Other Sport to be Had \^'lri(Jty is iiuK-ccl a spice that adds niatcrially to an\- kind of a trip undertaken for sport. Xo matter how oood th(." lishin^- or liiintin^- for any particular Tish or oanie may he, if other kinds can be obtained in the same neiL;hl)orh()()d, one tires of constantl\- working- to secm-e (jne, and will seek the other also. I'sually when trips are made, with special kinds of lishino- or hunting- in view, but little else than that sought can be obtained, ami from force of circumstances one must be content, whether tlie sport jje L;-ood or bad. I know of no one section of c()untr\- thai af- fords such a -reat variety of fish and -\-ime as does the Lake St. John territ(.ry ; and that too, \n al- most any part that may be visited. All the smaller 51 The Leaping Ouananiche streams and lakes afford the very finest trout fish- inL(. All the larij^er lakes and rivers contain pick- erel and pike (dorc). Moose are still quite numer- ous, and caribou very frecjuentl)- seen. Hlack bear are met with on all sides. Of the smaller L^ame, ducks of all kinds, and spruce partridi^e are found in j^reater numbers than I have ever seen else- where. Mink, martin, otter and muskrat are quite plentiful, and beaver occur in limited numbers. There is such a network of rivers, streams and lakes in this rei^ion that it is doubtful if one can go over half a mile in an)' direction without en- countering one or the other. Of this vast number, comparatively few have been fished, and those but little, so that one is p-iven the choice of followinir beaten trails, or seeking new waters. In either event, the success will prove more than satisfying. Apart from that by the native Indians, who trap almost entirely, but little hunting has been done here ; as a consequence the game is very plentiful, and is easily reached. As the season for moose and caribou opens September ist, and ouananiche fishing closes September 15th, and trout fishing October 1st, September is an ideal month to visit 5a fish- u'ck- ncr- )ear me, ind Ise- litc md :an ^n- er, >ut no- er ^^• le >e le It m u. The Leaping Ouananiche o Lake St. John, as both fishino- and luintin^; arc open at the same time. ThcMi. too, the bctc uoir of the woods, the hhick (lies, m()S([uit()es and punkies. are uonc. Of the nia^^niticent trout fish- inc^r to be found in these Canadian Ach'rondacks, enough cannot be said, nor can justice be done it. No "fish stories" can be told of this country, as the possibiHties are unlimited. According- to the waters you seek, do you ^^vX lar^e tish or small, as the case may be. Last season, two of us took in four hours from Lac de Helle Riviere, two hundretl and twenty- five trout, eleven wei^diinn^ -i^ to y/. pounds, and the balance from l/^ to 2]/. pounds. This year in the same waters, with storm\- weather, we took exactly the same number in eleven hours, weic-h- ino- .),/ to 2l{ pounds. Another catch shown, caujrht in one pool in an hour, comprised twentv- eio-ht. weighing- 90 pounds. These catches men- tioned are not isolated cases, but such as any one can make in the same, or many other places. I refer to brook trout {S. fontifialis) onl)-. as lake, or salmon trout, are almost unknown in these waters. Fishino- with the lly only is i)racticed. and the hun- The Leaping Ouananiche p^ry fish will tak^' almost any lure, plain or iraudy. The same tlics and tackle;, used in ouananiche fishinjr, are suitable for trout. In fact, llics with No. 4 hooks are best, as they frequently fail to hook small fish that are not wanted, and would be thrown back. Individual fish have frequently been taken, weisj^hinii^ from six to ten pounds, and many more will be tempted from the deep, black waters in the future, as neither this nor the com- ing generation will see the fishing impaired. Dis- tant trips must be made for trout as well as ouanan- iche, although I have frequently caught 150 or more .small trout on the Ouiatchouaniche, (Mght or nine miles distant from the hotel. Fine pickerel fishing can be had by trojling in Lake St. John, the (irand Discharge, and many of the tributary rivers, some fish of immense size being taken. Those from 1 2 to 20 pounds are common, and some weighing from 30 to 40 pounds are not infrequently caught. Dore (pike) of good size are also taken, and frequently large ouanan- iche will take the spoon. Some No. 4 and 7 spoons of various kinds, and strong trolling lines should always be included in the tackle outfit. It 54 The Leaping Ouananiche is often a relief to chan.crc: from lly-fishiiiLr to trollino-. especially when such ^^nod fishini; can he had in this way. The pickerel cau,i;ht in these waters are not to be classi'd as maskinonjj^e, as this latter fish is never found anywhere here. A visit of i^reat interest — a jaunt to fill in a day between trips— is a trip to tlu; reservation and yearly encampment of the Monta^nais Indians at Pointe Bleue, on the south shore of Lake .St. fohn, five miles from the Hotel Roberval. In the midst of the reservation is located a post of the Hudson Hay Company. Here the Indians assemble each year to dispose of the furs secured durin<^^ the i)re- vious winter, in barter for the necessary clothin5 The Leaping Ouananiche I cannot close in a mnint filliniL,^ manner than to ([uoti; from Mr. A. X. Cheney, who in commenting- on IVof. (iarman's report, says \n Foi'csi aud Shuavi: " I do not imaL,nne' that Prof, darman's report will be accepted as final hy (;\'c;r\- one who has cauj^ht or ma)' catch the ouananiche, for there are yet men who contend that brook trout do not i^row to exceixl four pounds in weij^dit, and tin; same or oth(;rs contend that the black bass of tlu; small- mouthed species does not Lirow to a ''reater W(MSj;ht than six pounds; but all exce[)t these skeptics, and those who hold to the belief that horse hairs turn into water snakes, will no loni^-er (juestion that the; ouananiche, the land-locked salmon, and the sea salmon, an; om; and the same lish with different environments." 632412 . m 66 to vi: vill ^ht ret )\V or ill- ht id rn u; lit