20 



They delight in the strongest streams they can find all the year 

 round, with the exception of spawning time, and the first fort- 

 night or so after. They seek a gentle stream with a gravelly 

 bottom to deposit their spawn. After this operation, Trout are 

 sick for two or three weeks, and do not much alter their posi- 

 tion until they have acquired a little strength, when they 

 remove to shallow sharp streams, with a gravelly bottom, where 

 they scour and cleanse themselves. After this they will have 

 nothing to do with still waters, but get to the strongest and 

 most rapid currents, under weirs, where the water rushes down 

 in torrents, or any rapid stream boiling and dashing against 

 banks or walls, no water is too rough for the Trout. 



As I have said already, the Trout is a fine fish, both for its 

 edible qualities and for the sport which it affords. I know 

 several streams where Anglers discontinue Trout fishing at the 

 end of August, which I think is quite right ; but they do not 

 commence fishing till the first of May, thus allowing Trout 

 eight months to be out of season. There is no need for all 

 this waste of time. I have caught Trout in good condition at 

 the latter end of February, and in March and April in prime 

 condition. I feel satisfied the Trout fisher misses two of the 

 best months in the year, if he permits March and April to go 

 by. This is particularly applicable to rivers in which, without 

 doubt, these are the best months for spinning the Minnow for 

 Trout. I see, indeed, no good reason why Trout fishing should 

 not commence in February, say in the middle of the month, and 

 I am sure, even at that early period, nineteen out of every 

 twenty Trout, taken from rivers and streams, would be found in 

 good condition. The baits for Trout are very numerous, and 

 the best can only be spoken of when speaking of a par- 

 ticular time of the year, the best at one period being the 

 worst at another. But I shall say what, in my opinion, are the 

 best baits, and the time of the year when they should be used. 

 The Minnow, small Gudgeon, small Dace, artificial and natural 

 flies, worms, wasp-grub, gentles, straw-bait, cad-bait, and various 

 other baits, are used for Trout fishing ; but taking all times 



