The WATER-SNAKE, in his appearance, resembles the rattle-snake; but seldom exceeds three feet and a half in length. His bite is also poisonous, and perhaps more to be dreaded than that of the rattle-snake; for he may be found on the banks of every river and brook in the Upper Province. Small green snakes, the most beautiful of the serpent kind, are very numerous in many parts of Upper Canada. I have a tillage field, which is about 40 acres in extent, and I am confident that there are 3000 of these animals within it at this moment. The rivers and lakes of Canada are supplied with the greatest variety of fine fish. SALMON are taken in large quantities as high up the country as the Falls of Niagara; but neither salmon nor eels are found in any of the upper lakes or rivers. On account of the remoteness of Lake Ontario from the sea, the salmon which it contains are of an inferior quality. But the upper lakes and rivers abound with almost every kind of fish, some of which are equal to any in the world. STURGEONS of an immense size are caught in great numbers, in many of the large rivers, and particularly in the Thames. Fishes of this description frequently weigh 150 lbs, and measure seven feet in length. In the Spring of the year, they, like every other fish in America except the Salmon, come up the rivers from the large lakes, to deposit their spawn. They return in about three weeks, and leave the rivers almost entirely destitute of fish for the remainder of the year. A few trouts only remain, and even these retire to the small brooks and rivulets, whose waters seem more congenial to their tastes or habits. . The Sturgeons are killed with a gaff, or spear, as they swim slowly up the currents. As soon as they are stricken, they whirl themselves round, and dart, with astonishing swiftness, down the stream, carrying the spear or gaff along with them, until, becoming exhausted through loss of blood, they are easily dragged on shore. -In the Spring of 1821, an intimate acquaintance of mine † was one day fishing on the Canadian Thames, accompanied by his son, a young man about twenty-two years of age. Observing an uncommonly large Sturgeon sailing up the river, the son immediately pierced it with his spear, and, retaining a firm hold of his weapon, was dragged into the water. For some time he floated on the stream, behind the Sturgeon, by the aid of his instrument; but, at length becoming weary of this disagreeable mode of proceeding, like another Aristus, he got astride of the fish, and converting his spear into a bridle-rein, rode him for nearly a mile down the river, which is in that part broad, deep, irregular, and rapid; when the unfortunate animal, unable to exert himself on account of the loss of blood, yielded up his life to the prowess of his rider. The equestrian exploits af John Gilpin have been amply immortalized in + Major Schofield, of London, Upper Canada. the well-known ballad which bears his name. They furnished materials every way worthy of the facetious pen of its elegant author; but I think an equally instructive and amusing poem might be written on the adventure I have just related. I have heard of a pair of mice drawing a chariot, and of a venerable rat becoming a Jehu; but, I: believe, with the exception of Aristus's Dolphin, there is no instance upon record of any of the finny tribe administering to the comfort of either men or fairies, in any other way, than that by which the strict and conscientious observers of Lent are preserved from starving, through the opportune relief which they derive from the nice difference existing between fish and flesh. The MUSKINUNGE is a very excellent fish, from three to four feet long. Both in its appearance, and in the quality of its flesh, it has a striking resemblance to the Pike. Next in size to the Muskinunge is the SHADFISH, which is found in the St. Lawrence, and in those rivers which empty themselves into it. It is a very coarse, soft fish; and, from the quantities in which it is taken, affords the French Canadians a great supply of food, during the early part of Summer. In New York, the Shad is esteemed a fish of first-rate quality; but in Montreal, it is eaten only by the lower orders of the people. CAT-FISH, PIKE, PICKEREL, MULLET, and DOGFISH, with the SUCKER and the BLACK and WHITE BASS, abound in all the rivers and lakes. Freshwater HERRINGS are taken in great quantities on the shores of Lake Ontario; but they are much inferior to those which are found in salt-water, although equally esteemed by the Canadians. TROUT are scarce and very small: But they are in appearance uncommonly beautiful, far surpassing those of England in the variety and brilliancy of their colours. At the Western extremity of Lake Erie, great quantities of WHITE-FISH are annually taken. They are somewhat larger than a mackerel, and are esteemed the most delicious fish in the country. They are also found at the mouth of the Niagara river, and, I believe, in one or two places along the North-western shore of Ontario. The SWORD-FISH is found in many of the Lakes and in the River St. Lawrence. EELS, which are said to be of an excellent quality, are taken in great numbers, in Lake Ontario, and the rivers Niagara and St. Lawrence. Fishes of every description in Canada, are either speared, or taken with nets. There is no such thing as angling in the country: The musquitoes and sand-flies render it impossible for any but an Indian to continue for a single hour on the banks of either lake or river. These insects, as you have already heard, are troublesome enough in the woods; but it is impossible to endure the severity of their attacks in the vicinity of water, where they seem to increase both in strength and malignity, and where, 'tis nought But restless hurry through the busy air Emigrants need not, therefore, be solicitous about bringing to Canada & very extensive assortment of fishing apparatus: Rods, wheels, lines, hooks, and flies, (leaving out the horse-flies and others of their race,) may be purchased here from disappointed anglers for at least 75 per cent under prime cost. |