HO THE SALMON TROUT. 



ward, this should not be done, as the angler's forbearance would be 

 amply repaid by allowing them to depart in peace, and await their 

 return to the fresh water, when they would be a prize well worthy 

 of his labours ; but where the monopolizing system of stake nets, 

 and every impediment is thrown out to prevent the fish from com- 

 ing within the angler's reach, I think he may then make free with 

 the smolts ; but the salmon fry, which may be easily distinguish- 

 ed from them, by the strong black pectoral fin, (that of the smolt 

 being smaller and of an orange colour,) should always be recom- 

 mitted to the stream. 



The salmon trout is the same fish that Walton alludes to as the 

 Fordidge trout, though he seems to have given him a credit for 

 abstinence he does not in reality deserve ; for though like the sal- 

 mon he is far from a greedy feeder, yet he will rise freely at a fly, 

 and by that means great numbers of them may be taken- They 

 will rise at the flies usually used for catching trout, though it has 

 been found that they are more easily attracted by some gaudy arti- 

 ficial fly of very gay colour, and not made to imitate any known 

 insect. One of the best flies I know for catching them is the gol- 

 den spinner ; a fly I have before alluded to,* and a little black gnat 

 with a slender dark body, having a black hackle or peawit top un- 

 der the wing, the latter of the quill feather of a black bird, I have 

 found a capital dropper fly. Some of the hackles ribbed with gold 

 and silver twist are also found to answer very well. 



The salmon trout is a very active fish and does not readily yield, 

 generally springing out of the water the moment it is hooked, 

 and then darting wildly about evidently very much astonished at 

 the whole proceeding, will continue to resist for a considerable 

 time. You must be very careful to prevent him from running un- 

 der weeds, or the roots by the sides, and not try to land him too 

 soon even if your tackle will bear the strain, as the mouth is ten- 

 der, and if hooked in a fleshy part, if you pull too hard, the fish, 

 by struggling violently at the top of the water, will very probably 

 break the hold. In rivers that are slightly affected by the tide, 

 just upon the rise is the best time. But where the tide runs with 

 any force and discolours the water, then slack water is entitled to 

 the preference. The best fish of this kind are usually taken just 

 above the influence of the tide, where if you meet with a long 



*See ante p, 5f>. 



