198 AMERICAN ANGLER'S BOOK. 



the Common Trout {Salmo fario) of Great Britain. The 

 Brook Trout when taken in its natural habitat (the clear 

 rapid mountain stream), is a more symmetrical fish ; its spots 

 more brilliant ; its sides of a brighter silvery hue ; its flesh 

 of finer flavor, though of lighter color ; and its average 

 size much smaller. The Trout of Hamilton and Franklin 

 Counties, New York, are, as a general rule, not inferior in size 

 to the Trout of England ; their average is larger than those 

 of the ponds of Long Island, and about equal to those taken 

 helow the ponds, where the fish have access to salt water. 



I cannot agree with Frank Forester, that the Trout of Long 

 Island are superior to those of our inland brooks and rivers ; 

 on the contrary, I think the pond Trout of Long Island much 

 inferior in delicacy and flavor, though I admit, that those 

 which have the run of both fresh and salt water are at least 

 equal to those taken in mountain streams. 



Fish inhabiting still, sluggish waters, dams, and lakelets, 

 are of stouter proportions than those of rapid, tumbling 

 streams. The difference is remarked by anglers who have 

 fished the waters of Hamilton County ; those of the lakes 

 being deep of body and proportionately short, while those 

 taken in the outlets are longer, and afford more sport when 

 hooked. In some of the ponds of Long Island they are 

 extremely stout ; a Trout of twelve inches weighing a pound, 

 which is four ounces more than one of the same length taken 

 in a mountain stream would weigh. 



I would here say, from personal knowledge of the fish, that 

 the " Silver Trout" mentioned by Frank Forester as being 

 taken in Green's Creek, on Long Island, is in every respect 

 the same as those of the neighboring ponds. The lighter 

 and more pearly hue is to be attributed entii'ely to the bright 

 open creek flowing through a meadow, unshaded by trees, 

 and communicating directly with the salt water of the bay. 



