CHAPTER XIII. 



NOTES ON RAINBOW TROUT. 



IAINBOWS are a comparatively recent importation into our 

 native waters, and appeared just at the time when they 

 were most needed. It is but a few years since our British 

 waters, neglected, except in a few instances, began to receive 

 the attention they deserved, in view of their intrinsic value. 

 Steps were then taken to diminish, if not entirely to remove, 

 the terribly universal pollution of our streams and rivers. 

 From that time trout fishing prospects in river and stream 

 began to look up and improve ; but our ponds and reservoirs, if stocked 

 with fish at all, contained only the coarse fish of former times. By a 

 happy coincidence the rainbow trout, which we owe to our cousins of 

 the United States, began to be talked about and known. Speedily our 

 fish-culturists took them up and established them in their hatcheries, 

 with the best results. A more sporting or gamer fish does not exist. 

 He rises most freely to the fly — up to a certain weight — and, when 

 hooked, plays as gamely as any sea trout. He grows with astonishing 

 rapidity. In our local waters, two-year-old fish, 8 in. long in February, 

 have grown to f- lb. fish and even to pounders in September. There 

 is therefore no excuse for leaving our ponds untenanted by these game- 

 some fish. Moreover, their edible qualities are quite first-rate ; they 

 are shapely, beautiful in colouring, and thrive in any kind of water. 

 One point, however, should be carefully guarded against. Rainbows 

 are great travellers ; they will push up, especially before spawning, and 



