14 THE SPORTING FISH 



Trout species resident in fresh water, both migra- 

 tory and non-migratory, acquire, in lieu of their 

 brilliant spring tints, a dusky-yellowish exterior, 

 accompanied by a considerable increase of mucus 

 or slime, — the fins also becoming more muscular. 

 As the important operation approaches, these 

 colours undergo a still further deterioration, the 

 general hue of the body in the males assuming a 

 browner or more golden tinge, and the cheeks 

 being marked with orange-coloured stripes ; the 

 lower jaw elongates, and a gristly projection or 

 horn turns upwards from the point, which is used 

 by the Salmon as an organ of offence in its con- 

 tests with other fish. In this state the males are 

 called " Red fish," or are said to be " on the reds." 

 The females are somewhat darker in colour, and 

 are known by the name of " Black fish." 



The Spawning-beds. 



The usual time for spawning is from November 

 until the latter end of January or the beginning of 

 February ; but there are e.vceptional rivers both 

 earlier and later, as already pointed out ; and it is 

 probable that many of the so-called " barren fish," 

 entering the fresh water in November and Decem- 

 ber, spawn in the succeeding October. 



The process of spawning is as follows : — A pair 

 of fish, male and female, select a gravelly shallow 



