Great Lake Trout 289 



with red, and on the head are usually seen worm- 

 like markings somewhat similar to the mottlings 

 on the back of fontinalis. It is a large fish, 

 growing to a reputed weight of one hundred 

 pounds ; but the average of those caught by hook- 

 and-line fishermen during a long summer's out- 

 ing will average hardly six pounds. 



The lake trout comes to the surface very 

 early in the spring, and in states where the law 

 permits, the angler trolls for them on or near the 

 top of the water, the fish making a " boil " and 

 taking the lure viciously, but rarely jumping into 

 the air, unlike the brook trout, which, when de- 

 ceived in its judgment as to the position of the 

 bait, and missing it, will often make a graceful 

 archlike curve as it reenters its element. The 

 proper tackle for surface trolling consists of a 

 very light sinker, a twelve-thread cotton line, a 

 No. 5 spoon, from which is taken all the gang 

 hooks, and a single No. 8 substituted, the latter 

 to be attached to the lower end of the spoon by 

 a snood six to eight inches long (the use of 

 treble gang hooks is to be abominated at all 

 times and for any fish) ; a good multiplying reel 

 and an eight-ounce rod, not longer than nine 

 feet ; the bait a golden shiner or any other of the 



