146 MODERN PRACTICAL ANGLER. 



this period it is a "parr." Just before migrating it 

 changes its golden and brown coat for a silver one, and 

 becomes a *' smolt," at which time it weighs from one to 

 two ounces. The smolt returns from the sea a " grilse," 

 commonly in from five to ten weeks, but sometimes 

 more, and having increased in weight from two to ten 

 pounds. Sometimes, however, the smolt does not come 

 back as a grilse, but returns in the spring of the following 

 year as a small Salmon.* 



The smolt, whether it comes back in the grilse or 

 Salmon state, and the mature Salmon also, spawn 

 usually about November or December, and go back 

 to the sea as a spent-fish, or "kelts," in February or 

 March; ordinarily returning during the following four 

 or five months as " clean" fish, and increased in Aveight 

 from seven to ten pounds. 



Shortly before spawning, and whilst returning to the 

 sea as " kelts," Salmon are considered " foul fish" — unfit 

 for food — and their capture is then illegal. " Foul fish" 

 before spawning are, if males, termed " red fish," from 

 the orange-coloured stripes with which their gill-covers 

 are marked, and the golden orange tint of the body; the 

 females are darker in colour and are called " black fish." 

 After spawning the males are called " Kippers," and the 



* The circumstance of the non-return of the Smolt in all cases during 

 the first year, and the theory of the spanvning of Salmon in altematex 

 years, is now very generally received amongst naturalists. It was firstt 

 propounded by the author in the T/'wifj in 1863, and subsequently in 

 the " Angler-Naturalist," published during the same year. 



