WELL-MENDED KELTS. 133 



have before mentioned, not very easy to identify a 

 well-mended kelt, though an experienced salmon- 

 fisherman does not find much difficulty in doing so. 

 A close examination of its vent should decide the 

 matter, and, in my opinion, that is a test we may all 

 thoroughly rely upon. The vent of a fresh, clean 

 fish is very small, and in some instances, I may 

 say, barely visible ; whereas that of a well-mended 

 kelt, although not so large or protruding as that 

 of a recently spent fish, bears unmistakable signs 

 that its possessor has passed a certain period 

 of the previous winter months on the spawning beds. 

 Should any one be in doubt, let him place a fish, 

 which by common consent is supposed to be a well- 

 mended kelt, alongside of a bona fide clean fish. 

 The well-mended fish may be silvery, and appear to 

 be in as good condition as the clean fish, but there 

 is much difference in the appearance of the two, 

 which, putting aside the infallible test of the vent, 

 must be plainly visible to the practised eye. There 

 is always a difference seen in the brightness of the 



