easily seen
at the depth of from four to five feet. One person sits in the stern
and steers with a paddle, propelling the canoe at the same time. The
bowman either kneels or stands up with the spear poised ready for
striking. An expert hand will scarcely miss a stroke. I have known two
fishermen in this manner kill upwards of two hundred salmon in one
night. I believe, however, the fishing is not nearly so productive as
formerly.

Mr. Stephens showed me a small stream running through his farm, which I
could easily jump over. He told me that one afternoon he was watering
his horses, when he perceived a shoal of salmon swimming up the creek.
He had no spear at home, having lent it to a neighbour. He, however,
succeeded with a pitchfork in capturing fifty-six fine fish.

Thirty years ago, all the small streams and rivers, from the head of
the lake downwards to the Bay of Quinte, used to abound with salmon.
The erection of saw-mills on the creeks, and other causes, have tended
materially to injure the fisheries. White fish and salmon-trout are,
however, taken in vast quantities, particularly the former, which has
become quite an article of commerce. The most extensive fisheries are
on the Manitoulin island, in Lake Huron, and along the Canadian shore
of Ontario, opposite the township of Haldimand, Crambe, and Murray, in
the county of Northumberland, and part of the district of Prince
Edward. Very large seine nets being used, many barrels of fish are
often taken at a haul, which are cured and packed on the spot: the
usual price of a barrel varies from five to six dollars.

Lake Ontario abounds with herring, of much the same flavour as the sea
species, but not so strong and oily, nor so large. Sturgeon, pike,
pickerel, black bass, sheep-heads, mullets, suckers, eels, and a
variety of other fish, are plentiful in these waters: the spring-creeks
and mill-ponds yield plenty of spotted trout, from four ounces to a
pound weight: they are easily caught either with the worm or fly.

The best creek I ever fished in was the Speed, a branch of the Grand
River, or Ouse, which runs through the township of Guelph. In winter
you can catch them by fishing through a hole in the ice. The best way
is to dig and store by in a box filled with earth, a quantity of worms,
which must be kept in the cellar for use. A small piece of fat pork is
commonly employed as bait, but is not nearly so good as the other.

A friend of mine, living near Colb