THE SALMON-TROUT 255 
grilse salmon-trout are known as herlings, blacktails, and 
Lammasmen, from their annual appearance at Lammastide, 
in the beginning of August. Sprod, in the north of England, 
usually means this fish in the smolt stage, descending to the 
sea, though here again the name is sometimes applied to them 
when they reach the grilse, or herling, stage. In Jreland 
salmon-trout are generally called white trout, in distinction 
from the yellow or brown trout of fresh water. 
There be some men who aver that fishing for sea-trout 
is finer sport than can be had with salmon. Certainly, when 
erie. there are plenty of fish in the water and the river is 
for Salmon- in trim, there are few more exciting diversions than 
trout. salmon-trout afford to the fly-fisher. The sport is in 
perfection when the stream is of such size as may be commanded 
by a single-handed trout rod, nine or ten feet long. With two 
flies of modest dimensions, a medium fine gut-cast, and fifty or 
sixty yards of running line, the angler ought to be able to 
manage anything he is likely to encounter. It is true, he may 
chance to hook a twenty-pound salmon ; even a six-pound 
salmon-trout will lead him a pretty dance; but the ideal 
stream for salmon-trout is one that can be commanded from 
bank to bank with such tackle as I have described ; and if the 
fish takes to running, the fisher must run too. 
In larger rivers, a longer rod is necessary, but on no 
account must it exceed fifteen feet, though it will be advisable to 
have at least one hundred yards of line upon the reel. By using 
thirty yards of relatively heavy silk line for casting, backed 
by seventy yards or more of the fine, but amazingly strong, 
undressed silk line made for tarpon-fishing, the whole can be 
packed away ina reel of very moderate dimensions. To use 
heavier tackle and a longer rod than these, even in the great 
rivers of Norway, is to forego half the charm of angling for 
these lively fish. The brisk, dashing rise, the rapid rushes 
and frequent leaps they make when hooked, lose their 
piquancy through the medium of an eighteen-foot salmon 
