94 



AMERICAN FISHES. 



smallest, particular from the Trout of Massachusetts, or of any other 

 place in the United States, where the Trout exists at all. 



I wish greatly, that the author of the " American Angler's Guide " 

 had given some authority for his statement, that this fish is taken in 

 this country up to fifteen pounds, or even up to half that weight. I 

 have myself some slight suspicion that such is the case rarely, in the 

 northern lakes — I do not mean the great lakes — of New York and 

 New England ; and that it is there mistaken for some new species, or 

 a variety of the Lake Trout, from which it difi"ers far more, in all 

 respects, than it does from the true Salmon. 



I have, however, never been able to gain any authentic information 

 of any true Brook Trout having ever been taken in Canada, or in the 

 United States, above the weight of six pounds ; and that size is of so 

 rare occurrence, that when one is taken, it is regarded as a monster, 

 and is heralded from one end of the country to the other, through the 

 public press. I have myself seen a Trout, taken in the winter through 

 the ice, in Orange county. New York, which lacked but a few ounces 

 of six pounds. I know several instances, not exceeding half-a-dozen, 

 of fish varying from four to five pounds, taken, some on Long Island, 

 some in the interior, within twelve or thirteen years, but I have never 

 heard it asserted that a fish of larger size has been taken in America. 



There is, I am aware, a tale that many years since, a Trout of eleven 

 pounds was taken at Fireplace ; and a rough sketch of the fish is still 

 to be seen on the wall of the tavern bar-room. I know, however, that 

 this fish was considered at the time, by all the true sportsmen who saw 

 it, to be a Salmon, and the sketch is said to bear out that opinion, 

 though I do not myself understand how a mere outline, not filled up, 

 qan convey any very distinct idea of the species intended. 



Suffice it, that it is not only not on record that any Trout of seven 

 pounds or upward has been captured on this continent, but that old 

 fishermen will assort positively, that they never grow to be above five 

 pounds in weight ; and very coolly and civilly imply to you that you 

 are speaking falsely, when you tell them that Trout from ten to twenty 

 pounds are no great raritios in England, and that they are taken even 

 of a much greater weight. The fact, on this point, is, that Trout of 

 ten or even fifteen pounds — I mean the common spockled Trout, 

 Salmo Fcrio^ aualoious to our Brook Trout — are iiioro common in 



