134 FAMILIAR FISH, THEIR HABITS AND CAPTURE 



are often taken, and of 6 to 8 pounds occasionally. 

 They fight hard, as do all trout, and afford unbounded 

 sport. As explained in a previous chapter, the exte- 

 rior colorings of trout change materially upon their 

 leaving fresh water for the sea. The bright colors 

 and spots become dull, and the fish lacks much of its 

 former beauty. No change occurs in the color of the 

 flesh or its excellent qualities for the table. 



When the fish begin to leave the sea and ascend 

 the rivers, the bright colorings not only return, but 

 actually appear to be more beautiful than those of the 

 trout that always remain in fresh water. Here they 

 are found in the deeper holes, and rise greedily to a 

 fly. Their greediness is difficult to understand, as most 

 of the rivers referred to are salmon streams, and trout 

 are mortal enemies of young salmon, being almost 

 always gorged with these fish when taken. They 

 are so plentiful and constantly increasing that it is 

 feared they will destroy the salmon. In many rivers 

 an effort is being made to stop their ascent from 

 the sea by placing a series of nets across the mouths 

 of the streams. As trout do not ascend until long 

 after the salmon have gone up, there is no interfer- 

 ence. The result of the experiment is being watched 

 for anxiously. The lessee of any salmon river will 

 gladly give permission to fish it for trout for the rea- 

 sons given. 



