S A L TE R S 



two pounds each, and after reaching a place where 

 it was impossible to wade farther, I returned to 

 my starting point, and hailing my friend, inquired 

 in regard to his success ; he said that he had taken 

 nothing but small trout which he had cast back 

 into the river. Now this was an experience 

 which I had not looked for, — the taking of small 

 trout at tidewater, — for in talking with all the 

 old fishermen, they all were of the same opinion, 

 that a trout did not visit salt water until he was 

 at least three or four years old, which with the 

 feed that they would secure would increase the 

 size so that they would be at least fully half- 

 pound trout. Leaving the mouth of the river, 

 we drove to the upper part of the stream, some 

 six miles, and my friend started fishing at that 

 point. I proceeded at least one mile above him, 

 and in casting in a shallow pool in the open I 

 secured a two and one-half pound trout, which I 

 know had never visited the salt water. The 

 golden hues were so prominent that I do not 

 believe that he had ever ventured far from the 

 location in which I found him; but previous to 

 that I have taken his mate, of nearly the same 

 weight. 



A trout that visits the salt water goes through 

 a most decided change; the golden hues are gone, 



141 



