14 TROUT LORE 



into the air. . . . When I eviscerated the fish I found 

 two speckled trout in its stomach, one partially de- 

 composed, the other not yet acted upon by the digestive 

 juices. . . . 



Note that this rainbow had recently captured 

 three small fish, all of which were speckled trout, 

 probably because small speckled trout were more 

 numerous than small rainbow. But the point I 

 make is this: the fish feeding so largely upon 

 minnows was a rainbow. By diligent inquiry 

 of the fishermen met on the stream I found they 

 all inclined to the notion that rainbow are more 

 largely fish eaters than the speckled trout. I 

 much doubt the wisdom of planting the two fish 

 in water adapted to speckled trout. The rain- 

 bow will thrive in water of a higher temperature 

 than the eastern fish, a fact which recommends 

 him. to water not suited to the former. As to 

 game qualities, I think the rainbow has the better 

 of the argument but more of that in a later 

 chapter; but I must say, in passing, the speckled 

 trout is the peer of his co-inhabitant when he 

 comes to the pan. 



