SALMON ii 



in condition. I think it more probable that they are 

 driven from the coasts near the river by the numerous 

 enemies they encounter there, such as porpoises and 

 seals, which devour them in great quantities. How- 

 ever this may be, they remain in the fresh water till 

 the spawning months commence.* 



On the first arrival of the spring Salmon from the 

 sea, they are apt to take up their seats in the rear 

 of a scull of kelts ; at this early period they are 

 brown in the back in the Tweed, fat, and in high 

 condition. In the cold months they lie in the deep 

 and easy water ; and as the season advances they 

 draw into the principal rough streams, always lying 

 in places where they can be least easily discovered. 

 They are very fond of a stream above a deep pool, 

 into which they can fall back in case of disturbance. 

 They prefer lying upon even rock, or behind large 

 blocks of stone, particularly such as are of a colour 

 similar to themselves. They are not to be found all 

 over the river like Trout, but only in such rough or 

 deep places as I have mentioned ; it is therefore 

 very necessary for a stranger to take out some one 

 with him who is acquainted with the water he means 

 to fish, for there are large continuous portions of 

 almost all salmon rivers where no fish ever take up 

 their seats. It is true that a very practised eye, 



* With all our added knowledge of the salmon I do not think 

 that we yet have a satisfactory explanation of the early-running 

 fish. The theory that fish run in January or February so as to 

 reach the furthest spawning beds by October is not convincing. 

 None of our rivers are long enough to need such a period of journey- 

 ing. It is otherwise with the great rivers of the western slope of 

 N. America where some of the Pacific salmons have to travel upwards 

 for 1500 miles or even more. (ED.) 



