BROWN AND RAINBOW TROUT 37 



The above description says that the rainbow is a 

 "deep" fish, and that the "mouth is somewhat smaller 

 than in other trout." Deep, here, is another way of 

 saying narrow the rainbow is very thin through the 

 body, taking a half-pound specimen as an example and 

 it should be said also that the mouth is noticeably 

 smaller than that of either the brown or native. While 

 there is no room for argument as to the fighting quali- 

 ties of the rainbow, in the writer's opinion and that of 

 many other anglers the rainbow as an edible fish is not 

 equal to either the native brook or brown trout. An- 

 other noticeable thing about the rainbow is the quick- 

 ness with which the coloration fades after the fish is 

 taken from the water; in a very short time the lateral 

 band, the "rainbow," will almost entirely disappear, 

 leaving only a faint suggestion of its natural beauty. 



The rainbow is a very free riser to the artificial fly, 

 apparently less discriminating in this respect than either 



native or brown trout. Any of the well- 

 Ta.ckle 



known fly patterns will be successful. In 



general the tackle advised for brown trout is equally 

 suitable for fly-fishing for rainbows. The rainbow 

 always seeks the swift water, grows to a larger size 

 than the native trout, the rate of growth being about 

 the same as that of the brown trout, and reasonably 

 strong and efficient tackle is always best for heavy fish 

 in heavy water. 



