GILBERT AND GOLDEN TROUT 189 



The best time for this fishing seemed as a rule 

 to be the morning, for an hour or so after the sun 

 was on the water, then again later in the afternoon, 

 when the smaller and middle- size fish would come 

 to the open and rather shallow runs to feed. In 

 the roughest waters the sport was always more 

 exciting, of course, and many a hard tussle did 1 

 enjoy with large fish, when the water hurled past 

 with a thundering roar which echoed back and 

 forth among the rocks of the overhanging canon. 

 It is in such places that we realise and appreciate 

 the difference between really wild fishing and 

 the pale imitation which one finds in the near 

 town club. As I said before, it is not only the 

 fish but the conditions which make it so well worth 

 while. 



While camped on the Kern River we spent some 

 time in search of the curious golden trout, one of 

 the excuses which had brought us here. The very 

 name of golden trout seems to possess some magic 

 power, if one may judge from the number of 

 people who have heard of it. Considering the fact 

 that this fish is found in but one stream in the world, 

 and that that stream is in the heart of the great 

 Sierras of California, it is remarkable that it should 

 be so well known even by name. Comparatively 

 few persons have seen either the fish itself or 

 pictures of it, though its beauty is so frequently 

 mentioned ; therefore it must be that the name 

 has led to its becoming thus widely known. In 

 point of beauty the golden trout should be given 

 first place among the freshwater fish of North 

 America, and this, compared with its extraordinary 



