WHITLING 133 



leads by a speedy transition to the taking in spring of all sea-trout, 

 whether large or small, clean or kelt, without inquiry, to the detriment 

 of the stock of fish and to the grievous lowering of the standard of sport 

 in a locality. 



In rivers uninterrupted by loch basins the shoals of these whitling 

 whether " clean " or " kelt," work down rapidly to the estuary or sea, 

 the descent beginning more or less about the turn of the year and 

 continuing intermittently for some few months. But they seem loth to 

 leave good quarters in a loch and are only finally driven from it by, one 

 may suppose, the rising temperature of the water. In Loch Lomond, 

 I have observed the last of them has disappeared by the end of May. 

 But in their descent, as during their ascent, these greedy young fish eat 

 lustily and their diet, from flies to shell-fish, is as varied as the circum- 

 stances allow. 



Assuming these whitling to descend in April, with this their second 

 visit to the sea, they are entering upon the mature stage of their existence 

 as " sea-trout." 



It is time now to return to that portion of the shoal of whitling which 

 did not ascend to fresh water, and at the outset it is fair to say that my 

 views as to this first separation of the shoal into two portions are largely 

 theoretical, though I believe they will be found to meet the facts of the 

 case in most localities. 



The richer marine feeding, which it is to be supposed this section 

 of the shoal will have obtained throughout autumn, winter and spring, 

 will have proportionately encouraged the growth of these whitling 

 beyond that of their contemporaries which migrated. They will also 

 be in far better condition in the spring months, and I think it is worth 

 considering whether these fish, which will in spring vary in weight 

 between i lb. and 2 lb. do not form what is called the " spring run " 

 of sea-trout in many districts. 



I do not think that this " spring run " is a true run of ascent, as is 



