A LVCKT EASTER SOLID AY. 159 



tain, follows the spawning fish from the sea up the 

 river in late autumn, to return the following spring 

 without having spawned. 



It may be that they are merely barren fish, but it 

 seems odd the peculiarity should only exist amongst 

 fish of about this weight. 



They are not so lean-bellied nor have they the 

 general appearance of a kelt, nor can any remains of 

 milt be exuded from them by pressure of the fingers, as 

 can generally be done with the kelt. 



By the shape of the head they are he-fish, and are 

 immediately recognized by both net- and rod-fishers on 

 account of their bright tin-coloured appearance, which 

 differs vastly from the silver of the fresh-run fish and 

 the dirty colour of the kelt, which has not yet had time 

 to become " well-mended " before the " cock-fish " quit 

 the river by the end of ]March or, at latest, during the 

 first week of April. 



To continue. Having netted two fish, our friend 

 was now persuaded to take up the rod and try his luck, 

 while we should wade across for his ; but this time it 

 was our turn to do a bit of the net business, as at his 

 second cast as soon as the fly fell on the surface he 

 hooked a big 'un, which gave a real sporting show and 

 eventually paid the penalty to the tune of 23 lb. It 

 took about half an hour's play to kill, as he could not 

 well indulge in long runs by reason of the narrowness 

 of the pool. 



Two fresh fish and a kelt in about ten casts was 



