PISHES AND FISHINO IN SUNAPEE LAKE. 69 



In conpidcration of the experience which I have had with the Aineri<an saibling, I 

 Wdulci select it in ])reference to any other fisli if I desired a salmonoi*! 1<. rear fnmi fry 

 and obtain tlie best results in size and percentaf^e matured. 



Grayi.ino {Thymallus niotitamift). 



Tlio Montana <j:rayliii<r on^aiially existed only iti tlu^ trihutarios of 

 the Missouri River above Grand Falls. The United States Bureau 

 of Fisheries Hrst began successful i)roj)agation of the grayling in 1S97, 

 at Bozenian, Mont., under the supermtendency of Dr. James A. 

 Ilenshall. It was at the Bozeman station that the grayling planted 

 in Sunapee waters originated. The habits of this grayling are 

 described by Dr. Henshall as follows : 



The Montana grayling prefers swift, clear streams of pure water, with gravelly or 

 sandy bottt:)m. It is quite gregarious, lying in schools in the deeper pools, in plain 

 sight, and not, like the trout, concealed under bushes or overhanging banks. In 

 search of food, which consists principally of insects and their larvne, it occasionally 

 extends its range to streams strewn with bowlders and broken rocks. The fry subsi.st 

 on minute crustaceans, as Entomostraca, and for seizing the minute organisms ia fur- 

 nished, like the lake whitefish fry, with two sharp retrorse teeth in the upper jaw. 



The graylmg spa^vns on gravelly shallows, and Dr. Henshall says 

 that it will go long distances, if necessary, to find suitable spa^vning 

 gr' unds. even ])assiiig through large lakes to the inlets. 



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Fig. 3— Grayling. 



Regarding its game and food qualities, Henshall is quoted as 

 follows: 



The Montana grayling is a most graceful and beautifid fish, whose dainty and lovely 

 proportions and exquisite coloration must be viewed fresh from its native waters to be 

 appreciated properly. As a food fisli it is fully as good as the trout, and to my taste 

 better. Its flesh is firm and flaky, very white, and of a delicate flavor, as might be 

 expected. As a game fish it is the equal of its congener, the red-throat trout, and 

 when hooked breaks water repeatedly in its efforts to escape, which the trout seldom 

 does. It takes the artificial fly eagerly, and if resisted at the first cast will rise again 

 and again from the dejiths of the pool, wherea'' the trout will seldom rise the second 

 time to the same fly without a rest. 



The United States Bureau of Fislieries repoits of tlie distribution of 

 fishes show that the following ])lHnts (»f grayling wci'c^ made in SunajxM^ 



