274 AMERICAN GAME FISHES. 



after the shades of night have drawn over the water; while 

 his mountain cousin usually suspends operations promptly at 

 sunset. 



As to game qualities, the western Trout is every inch the 

 peer of his eastern congener; and some anglers have claimed 

 that his first rushes were even more vicious, and that he was 

 a wickeder tackle-smasher than the civilized Trout. It is 

 difficult to judge accurately on this point, certain individuals 

 of either species possessing more of the wild-cat impulsive- 

 ness than the average of their fellows; but there can be no 

 doubt in the minds of those anglers who have thoroughly 

 studied both species under all the varying conditions of sea- 

 son, character of water, weather, etc. , that the Rocky Moun- 

 tain Trout is not excelled in game qualities by any species of 

 this noble family. 



Generally speaking, the same tackle is required for the 

 average Mountain Trout as for Brook Trout. If, however, 

 one is to fish some of the larger creeks and rivers that have 

 not been "fished out," so that a lusty live or ten pounder is 

 liable to be encountered, then Salmon tackle should be 

 employed. These very large ones rarely take a fly, how- 

 ever; but w'hen they do, the best double-gut leader, the best 

 number C braided silk line and a ten or tw^elve ounce split- 

 bamboo rod will be taxed to their utmost to land him. Sev- 

 eral cases are on record wherein a six or eight inch Trout has 

 been taken on the fly, and while being reeled in has been 

 swallowed by one of these ten-pounders. Where very light 

 tackle was being used, the big Trout of course took it, and 

 walked off with his tail over his back; but in other cases the 

 implements and the skill of the man at the other end of them 

 were sufficient to stay with him, and then a fight has ensued 

 that can only be compared to that of a wild grizzly that has 

 been roped by an intrepid cowboy. 



As to flics, I have usually found a brown hackle and a 

 white moth the most killing for Mountain Trout — the former 



