270 FLY FISHING AND SPINNING 



remain in fresh water, an indelible ' spawning mark ' 

 is certain to be imprinted on its scales."* 



Mr. Hutton claims that the spawning marks are shown on 

 the scales of a salmon, no matter how late the fish enters a 

 river, or how short a time it may remain in fresh water 

 before spawning. If then a salmon ripe for spawning were 

 captured in the estuary of a river before it had spawned, 

 it would carry markings on its scales, which would prove, 

 according to Mr. Hutton, that it had already spawned. 



Evidently some other physiological evidence, or some 

 more practical proof, must be adduced before it can be 

 accepted that such markings are sufficient to certify that 

 such a fish has spawned. 



Again, if, instead of being captured or killed, it was 

 wounded in such a manner as not only to prevent its 

 spawning, but to force its return to salt water, such a fish, 

 if it eventually recovered, would bear these spawning 

 marks, and whatever might have been the after-fate of the 

 ova it had failed to spawn, it would impelled by its 

 instinct probably return at a future season to spawn, 

 and thereon, if captured, would be considered to be a fish 

 spawning for the second time. 



Notwithstanding the attention which has been given to 

 this subject, I am inclined to think that this problem is 

 one which has not so far been definitely solved. As Mr. 

 Malloch says : 



" Anglers are often in doubt as to whether the fish 

 they have caught are clean or not (i.e., have spawned 

 or not), and this is not to be wondered at, as those 

 who are constantly among them sometimes make 

 mistakes when judging from outward appearance 

 only." 



* This opinion is, however, opposed to that of Dr. Masterman, who says, 

 " that a large number of grilse which enter a river late in the season become 

 kelts, but do not become labelled with a definite spawning mark. 



