110 Sea Trout of Kent and Essex. 



Medway, and the (Canterbury) Stour, may not have had an 

 unlooked-for side influence. On this head it is to be regretted 

 that explicit data are not forthcoming. Howsoever stands the 

 case, a few examples of their presence in our estuaries and 

 streams may best plead their cause. The rivers that meet at 

 Harwich have been cited. Likewise the Colne, where at East 

 Bridge, Colchester, March, 1867, a 4i Ib. fish was captured. 

 Dr. Bree announced it as a salmon, but it proved to be a bull- 

 trout. A specimen weighing IJ Ib. ascended the Blackwater 

 and was netted in the Chelmer, close to Beeleigh, 

 near Maldon, 23rd February, 1889 (Fitch, Essex Nat. III.), 

 A salmon-trout of 3 Ib. was taken in the Roach, 25th February, 

 L890, there considered unique by the old fishermen. At times 

 these migratory trout get entangled in the V-shaped kettle- 

 nets off Foulness (Thames side). Among Southend and Leigh 

 fishers an odd one is not infrequent, though seldom recorded. 

 The last we know of (good-sized) being in a whitebaiter's 

 stow-net, March, 1899. Their ascent up the river has often 

 been certified ; among others, a pair between Hungerford and 

 Waterloo Bridges, full of whitebait, 12th February, 1880. 

 These measured 9| and 13| inches, and weighed 5J and 

 14| ounces. 



The Medway, well known of old for its salmonoids, still 

 annually yields a few, e.g., one, 2| Ib., October, 1866 ; another 

 caught near Rochester Bridge, llth March, 1883. In Pegwell 

 Bay a fatal barrier is the stake-nets. As for the once prolific 

 (Canterbury) Stour, not yet deserted, mention need only be 

 made to a prime fish 3 ft. 11 in. long and 21 Ib. weight, secured 

 March, 1868 ; paucity of weight being accounted for by its 

 being a kelt in descent after spawning. The so-called Fordwich 

 trout have long had good reputation for size and condition, and 

 find markets at Ramsgate and Margate. Lastly, the Dover, 

 Folkestone and Dungeness fishermen, at intervals, find sea- 

 trcut among their catch ; whilst on the sandy shore stretch 

 between Dymchurch and Romney Marshes they get meshed in 

 the numerous kettle-nets. 



