X: SEA-TROUT 



ALTHOUGH even Salmo Salar does not 

 disdain the brooks, and are occasionally 

 to be observed, in pairs, busy at their 

 redds amid the gravel-beds of favouring spots, 

 such royal quarry cannot be said to come within 

 the scope of the brook-fisherman. A good 

 second, however, are their cousins the Sea-Trout 

 (Salmo Trutta), which certainly do, and though 

 not to be taken in any quantity as common 

 fario may be, their capture is most eagerly sought, 

 and ranks the highest of all rewards which these 

 small waters are capable of affording. For no 

 more beautiful fish swims than a fresh-run sea- 

 trout, plump, small-headed, in the height of 

 condition from marine feeding, its sides gleaming 

 like bars of silver, and picked out rather scantily 

 with dark spots. Game fish are they indeed, and 

 as their mouths are rather tender it needs a cool 

 and practised hand to deal with their violent 

 rushes, acrobatic feats and general liveliness 

 when hooked, and the keen sense of relief one feels 

 when a two-pounder is safely netted must be 

 experienced to be realised. 



