CHAPTER II, 



SALMONID.*. 



SECTION I. 



THE TROUT AND HOW TO CATCH HIN 



1 . Observations on the nature and habits of the trout. 



2. Fly fishing, both with the natural and artificial fly. 



3. Minnow trolling. 



4. Bait fishing. 



1 . Observations on the nature and habits of the trout. 



THE Salmonidae being fairly entitled to the highest rank among 

 fresh water fishes, will form the first subject of our discussion; and 

 as the trout is the fish of the whole tribe the greater portion of my 

 readers will probably take the greatest interest in, I purpose treat- 

 ing of him first, by setting forth his nature and habits, and then 

 attempting to point out the best means of catching him. 



The trout, as honest Izaak so quaintly remarks, is " a fish highly 

 valued both in this and foreign countries; he may justly be ob- 

 served as the old poet said of wine, and we English say of venison, 

 to be a generous fish ;" but like the buck he has his stated seasons 

 at which he is in perfection, and vice versa ; and as a trout in 

 high season is a most superior fish, so one out of condition is an 

 equally bad one. The time of their coming in season seems to 

 depend in a great measure upon the nature of the soil that the 



