32 THE SALMON TROUT. 



brown or cream color the teeth, gums, and roof of 

 the mouth having a bright purple tinge. It is a large 

 fish, usually averaging from two to five feet in length, 

 and inhabits all the great lakes in the West, as well 

 as the smaller lakes in the Northern part of the State 

 of New York. It is entirely different from the com- 

 mon lake trout, so abundant in some of the Western 

 lakes. 



Sportsmen always take the salmon trout by trol- 

 ling, or by set lines. For the latter they use the 

 largest sized cod-hooks and cod-lines, and for bait, 

 bits of lake herring or white fish are all that is neces- 

 sary. In trolling, both tackle and bait are different, 

 the minnow being chiefly used for bait. If you use 

 a rod it should be a stout one with a hollow butt, and 

 an extra top, which could be replaced in case of 

 breakage. The line should be of a length adapted 

 to the ground firmly made of cotton or strong flax 

 and your leader should be of twisted gut a yard 

 or more in length. A No. 1 Limerick salmon hook 

 is generally used, with live bait, and No. 3 or 4 hook 

 in fly fishing. A light swivel sinker is necessary 

 when the fish run in deep water. In trolling use 

 swivels freely to keep your line from getting tangled. 

 When you have a bite, slack the line a little to allow 

 the fish to gorge his bait, then begin to pull steadily, 

 after arranging everything in a proper manner to en- 

 able you to play your fish. A gaff is generally used 

 for securing the fish after he is brought to the sur- 

 face. In fly fishing the largest and most gaudy sal- 



