INTRODUCTION 



11 



The various stages in the life history of 

 these fishes have been given distinct names, 

 which were first applied to the Atlantic 

 salmon. For a long time some of these were 

 thought to be distinct species rather than 

 stages in the life of one species. Those 

 given and defined below are for the Atlantic 

 salmon, and are not necessarily applicable 

 to other species. 



The eggs hatch while the yolk is still in 

 large amount, and the young fish with its 

 large yolk sac is known as an "alevin." 

 Not until the yolk is practically all used up 

 does the fish emerge from the gravel bed in 

 which the eggs were laid. It soon develops 

 a color pattern, whose most pronounced 

 feature is a series of vertical bars along each 

 side, and this stage is called a "parr.'' 

 When about to descend seaward, the parr 



begins a transformation, which results in 

 the bars becoming obscured by the develop- 

 ment of a silvery coat of guanin crystals. 

 The fish at this time is rather similar in size 

 and appearance to a smelt and is known as 

 a "smolt." 



In the sea the smolt grow very rapidly 

 and within a year or two weigh about five 

 pounds. They are then called ''grilse." 

 When, after another year, their weight has 

 increased to about ten pounds, they are 

 merely called salmon. Irrespective of size, 

 those that have not spawned are known as 

 "virgin" or "maiden" salmon; and those 

 that have spawned, while still thin, are 

 known as "kelts," but after feeding and 

 becoming plump again are known as 

 "clean" salmon. 



A. G. Huntsman 



