The Sea-Trout. 285 



sent in great quantities to the Parisian markets, 

 where they seem to be held in high esteem. 



Both sea-trout and bull-trout may be captured 

 near the mouths of rivers more or less during the 

 spring and summer ; but it is in autumn that they 

 ascend to spawn, and then they run, not only to 

 the upper waters of the main stream, but even to 

 the small hill-burns. One or two floods in March 

 will take the most of them down again ; but should 

 the rivers continue low at that season, the angler 

 in the Tweed, especially between Peebles and Thor- 

 nilee, may expect to come across a few good fish 

 in the course of a day's fishing for yellow trout. 

 Though the bull-trout fights valiantly when hooked, 

 and generally "dies game," the sea-trout is much 

 his superior both in sporting and in edible quali- 

 ties, and is consequently a more desirable object 

 of pursuit. Indeed, if all were known, I fear the 

 bull-trout would be even less of a favourite with 

 some anglers than he is. For it was stated in 

 evidence before the Salmon Disease Commission 

 of 1880, that bull-trout feed largely on the young 

 salmon-fry ; that, as they ascend the river later 

 than salmon, they benefit most by the close 

 season ; and that, being then consequently over- 

 crowded in small pools, they are predisposed to 

 disease. The late Mr Buckland, one of the Com- 

 missioners, went even further, and said : " I am 



