CHAPTER II. 



Trout-spawning Perils of Spawning Fish The 'Water- 

 drowner' Process of Spawning Spawning-beds Late- 

 spawning Trout Early Condition of Spawn-eaters Large 

 Trout in Lower Test Mr. Kendle's Specimens of such 

 Trout Mr. Butt, Taxidermist Growth of Trout Experi- 

 mental Feeding of Trout Thames Trout' Salmo Ferox.' 



IT had been my intention to refer to the spawning 

 of trout in the previous chapter, but as I found 

 that the latter was growing somewhat over-long I 

 decided to leave it for the present one. 



Trout spawn in October, November, or 

 December, the time varying very considerably 

 in different rivers, and according to the season. 

 As a rule, however, they begin to draw up to the 

 spawning-beds about the second or third week in 

 September. At first they appear to content them- 

 selves with darting about around the latter, and 

 selecting a suitable spot for the transaction of their 

 family affairs. At these times they are somewhat 

 indifferent to the charms of an artificial fly, and 

 such food as they consume is for the most part 

 taken under water. At this period, and later on, 



