SEA-TROUT 



(Sa hiio trutta] 



THE sea- trout is one of the best sporting fish we have in Great 

 Britain, and is, besides, of greater value than any others to those 

 who are fortunate enough to possess waters that contain them. They 

 are netted in great numbers in our rivers and in the sea, and when 

 we consider the vast quantities that are sent not only to our own 

 markets, but also to those on the Continent, the revenue derived from 

 them must be very great. 



I consider the sea-trout distinct from the salmon and grilse. 

 Any one who has the opportunity of observing them proceed up a 

 river can prove this by the way in which they run. No matter what 

 its size may be, the sea-trout always runs in a zig-zag fashion first to 

 the one side and then to the other. The salmon, on the other hand, 

 runs in a straight direction. Another way of knowing the sea-trout 

 is by counting the number of scales. There are fourteen from the 

 adipose or dead fin to the lateral line. The salmon, on the other hand, 

 as may be seen from the illustration, has ten (Fig. 153). By counting 

 the scales, then, is a simple way of distinguishing between them, 

 and is so sure a guide that no mistake need be made. From the 

 photographs of sea-trout, both large and small, which are given it will 

 be seen that they vary a great deal. 



Having made a careful study of this subject for thirty years, and 

 having collected all the information I could bearing upon it, I have 

 come to the conclusion that the sea-trout is the same fish as that which 

 is called white trout, bull-trout, gray trout, peel, sewin, brith-dail, 

 salmon-trout, and many other names. In the grilse stage it is known 



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