CHAPTER I 

 THE TROUT 



1. Appearance and surroundings. 



The common trout, or, to give him his 

 scientific name, the Salmo Fario, is indi- 

 genous to the majority of the rivers and 

 lakes of Great Britain. In beauty of appear- 

 ance, courage, dash and general sport- 

 showing qualities, he easily holds first place 

 amongst our fishes. There are few prettier 

 pictures in nature than a well-conditioned 

 trout, with his small head, and depth of body, 

 the whole overlaid with brilliant spots of 

 colour. 



Seldom do you find two trout exactly 

 alike, for the colours vary considerably in 

 individuals. While environment has much 

 to do with colours and markings, the food 

 supply is also an important factor. Trout 

 from deep, dark holes are often exceedingly 

 dull coloured ; others taken from the gravelly 

 or sandy reaches of a stream are generally 







