884 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 



SUBDIVISION II.-FRESH-WATER FISHES, WHICH 

 DO NOT MIGRATE. 



THE COMMON TROUT. 



This fish is generally diffused over Great Britain and Ire- 

 land, there being hardly a stream, lake, or river in the king- 

 dom in which it is not found. These differ so materially in 

 various localities, that they have been supposed distinct spe- 

 cies. Naturalists have not, however, sufficiently determined 

 this point. It is extremely probable that the difference in 

 their external appearance depends in a great measure on 

 the quality of the water, and various local situations. Not 

 only do trout vary greatly in size, but also in colour ; and 

 weigh from six ounces to fifteen pounds. 



Few fish afford more diversion to the angler than trout, or 

 require more skill to take them, as they are at all times 

 very cautious ; and when the water is either low or clear, it 

 will be in vain to attempt to catch them, as they then retire 

 under banks and roots, refusing to rise either to the fly or 

 bait. During the day the larger-sized fish move but little 

 from their accustomed haunts, but towards evening, and 

 during the night, they rove in search of small fish, insects, 

 and their various larvae, upon which they feed with eager- 

 ness. The young fry may be seen throughout the day, sport- 

 ing in the shallow, gravelly scours of the stream, where the 

 want of sufficient depth of water, or the greater caution of 

 larger or older fish prevent their appearance. 



In a cloudy day, after a gentle shower of rain, when mills 

 are going, trout will freely take minnows, worms, and flies of 

 all kinds in their proper season : in March and April they 

 should be angled for with the worm in the forenoon, and with 

 a fly or minnow, according to the state of the water, for the 



