TROUT FLY-FISHING IN AMERICA 



THE RANGELEY TROUT 



Genus: Salvelinus. Species: Oquassa, 



The Rangeley Trout, so named because it is only 

 found in the waters of the Rangeley Lakes, is a most beau- 

 tiful small trout. By the natives it is called the "Blue- 

 back" on account of the peculiar coloring on its back. 



Years ago the "Blue-back" existed in countless num- 

 bers; they came to the streams in the fall to spawn, at 

 which time they have been known to rise to the fly, but 

 never at any other time or place. 



To-day this trout is seldom seen ; indeed, it is now sev- 

 eral years since it has been possible to obtain a specimen. 

 What it is that has caused a change in the habits of this 

 fish, or has possibly exterminated it, no one seems to know, 

 but the feeling among the older guides of this region, who 

 remember this trout well, is that the species has not be- 

 come extinct, and that they are liable to appear again at 

 any spawning season. 



About 1883 The Century Company published a book 

 entitled "Sport with Gun and Rod," in which there was 

 a chapter on "Trout-fishing in the Rangeley Lakes" by 

 Edward Seymour, and it is interesting to note what he 

 has to say about the "blue-back" trout. 



Speaking of fish found in the Rangeley Lakes, other 

 than the Salmon and Brook Trout, Mr. Seymour says: 



"There is still a fourth variety, called by the natives the 'blue- 

 back' trout, the Salmo Oquassa (so named because it is peculiar 



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