MacDonell, John. Description of Lake Athabasca and the Chipweans, ca. 1805 and Journal of a Voyage from Lachine to Fort River Qu'Appelle, 1793. An electronic transcription. MFTP #0005

No 9

difference, as the finer the thread is the greater quantities of fish are to be taken: but a net made of various colours is preferable to any, which I have proved by trial; however the colours are not all equally attractive[.] The Red[,] Yellow, and the bronze are the best. The Chipweans make their lines of the same substance as their nets, and use awls, or frequently a knot of the pine tree inverted, which makes a good substitute for Hooks:– these they set under the Ice baited with a piece of red carp, which is the best for that purpose; they visit them every morning, and generally find Trouts of a considerable weight. When they angle in winter they make use of the stomach of the white fish for bait, which must be kept very clean; the Canadians likewise do the same, and we frequently take from fifteen to twenty trouts in a few hours, but principally in the month of March. To sum up the character of the Chipweans in a few words: They are Beggarly, cowardly, and mean in their nature;– but on the other hand they are susceptible of slights. Persevering

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