138 TJiirf //-First Ainn/dl Mrrtiiig 



SOME REMARKS ON THE RAINBOW TROUT, THE 

 TIME FOR PLANTING, ETC. 



BY GEOHGE A. SEAGLE. 



The rainbow trout arc iinlike the brook trout in several re- 

 spects; they grow larger and inhabit larger and warmer streams, 

 and vary much more in form and color. Their rate of growth is 

 hardly equal to that of the brook trout under similar conditions, 

 but the brooks reach maturity earlier. In domestication the rain- 

 l)o\\s can hardly be considered cannibalistic in their habits, 

 altliough occasionally one is observed in the act of swallowing 

 his smaller and weaker brother. Their natural food consists 

 chiefly of worms, larvae, Crustacea and the like, but in their wild 

 state necessity compels them to seek such food as may be found. 

 If they do not find their preference they must accept something 

 else, and in that way they get a taste of fish and the cannibalistic 

 habit is established. 



^fueh has been said and written about the time, or season, for 

 planting trout in streams, and it seems to me that the success of 

 the work must depend largely upon this ]joint. In my opinion 

 there is l)ut one favoralile season, and that is spring. 



With the warming up of the waters the natural food makes 

 its appearance, and fish planted in the streams at that time need 

 not go liuiigry. They can select such food as their stomachs may 

 dictate — worms, larvae, or young minnows. Contrast these con- 

 ditions with those existing in the fall and winter months, and you 

 ha\(' ;ill tlu' argument necessary in favor of spring planting. In 

 the fall and winter the streams are practically barren of food, 

 nothing left in them exce]it minnows, and they have become too 

 large to serve as food for the young trout. Therefore I would 

 ]ilaiil trout ill lln' spring and let them keep ])ace with their food, 

 and when cold weather comes on, and food becomes scarce, they 

 will l)e more al)le to eo|)e with the situation before them. 



It lias been argued that small fry are too delicate to take care 

 of themselves iu open waters, but if that be true how can we ex- 

 pect them to multiply in the stn-ams? if fry from two to four 



