76 Angling Travels in Norway. 



which prove that thirteen salmon which were marked in 

 one year, either when in condition just ready for spawning, 

 or immediately after they had spawned, were retaken the 

 following year in similar condition. 



It is pretty generally admitted in Norway that a large 

 number of fish which spawn in the lower reaches of a river 

 will fall back to the sea before winter, and as the spawning 

 takes place fairly early, such fish would have ample time to 

 regain condition, and again ascend the river in the following 

 June or July, so there would appear to be no reason why 

 such fish should not spawn annually. 



On the other hand, it is well known that large numbers 

 of salmon remain in the rivers until spring, and these 

 are named " winter fish," and I cannot believe that such 

 fish, descending in spring, with a long journey before them, 

 can have sufficient time to regain condition and increase in 

 weight so that they can reascend the rivers before autumn 

 or late in summer. 



It may be argued that the " winter fish," which we 

 will say descend in April and May, would have sufficient 

 time to reattain condition and occupy the lower redds of 

 the river in September ; then, having spawned, may drop 

 down to the sea before winter, and come up again as spring 

 fish in June. By such a system, fish would spawn high up 

 and low down the river in alternate years ; but this cannot 

 be the case as far as concerns the rivers I have fished, for 



