148 THE WONDERFUL TROUT 



refer to such; but when sea-trout are sold by 

 themselves, they bring twopence or three- 

 pence more per pound. 1 When it is remem- 

 bered the sea-trout are so-called ' Finnochs,' 

 usually taken by rod and line at the tidal 

 portions of the east-coast rivers, but also, 

 it may be believed, with nets, where no nets 

 are legal, at a time when they are descending 

 the rivers to the sea, and not when ascending 

 the same, surely such are not other than 

 well-mended kelts, or fish not fully recovered 

 from their long residence in fresh water. 

 The smaller fish may be, and no doubt are, 

 fish which have not spawned, and therefore 

 have recovered flesh and muscle to some 

 extent by the time they reach the tidal 

 water, and no doubt rapidly recover after 



i Besides, the market prices for small trout rule higher 

 than those for big trout, and this means a premium to 

 poachers, increasing facilities for them to poach small 

 streams ; and as regards the future supplies of salmo 

 fario in Scotland, it is burning the candle at the wrong 

 end. The prices quoted are under date September 3rd, 

 1898, for Tweed and Teviot, viz. : ' Small trout, Is. 7d. 

 per Ib. ; large trout, Is. 6d. per lb.' ! Surely common 

 sense in legislation should regulate such prices and sales, 

 as well as regulate the size of fish which are to be sale- 

 able from rivers, and the average weight only allowed, 

 and the premium should rather be upon the big fish. 



