2 THE HABITS OF THE SALMON. 



in not putting off their journey to fresh water till 

 the autumn ; or, on the other hand, that it is in mere 

 caprice that some salmon will, and others will not, 

 leave the salt water at stated times in the year. 

 But whatever ultimately may prove to be the fact in 

 regard to identity of stock, we are quite justified 

 by convenience in retaining the broad classification, 

 unscientific though it be, which follows the four 

 seasons of the year ; and I consider that the ends of 

 January, May, August, and November may well be 

 taken as marking off the respective terms of winter, 

 spring, summer, and autumn fish. 



But all rivers are not equally blest in the duration 

 of their supply. Some are more or less frequented 

 all the year round. Into others salmon do not run 

 until summer, and again there are rivers in which 

 not a single one is seen till the autumn sets in. 

 Speaking generally, and with due regard to local 

 conditions, they afford the best sport in spring and 

 summer, but towards the end of August they fall 

 off in this and other respects as their ova become 



