TROUT-FISHING 

 and had been consigned to him as sea-trout. And veritable sea-trout they 

 possibly may turn out to be, for American ichthyologists incline to believe 

 that rainbows are but adolescent steel-head salmon and therefore season- 

 ably migrant to and from the ocean. 



Notwithstanding their evasive habits in this country, it is not 

 altogether labour lost to rear the lovely rainbow trout in hatcheries for 

 stocking lakes and ponds withal. The young fish grow at an extraor- 

 dinary speed, far faster than common trout, and often attain a weight 

 of two or three pounds before they disappear. So long as they remain 

 accessible to the angler, they give him excellent sport, for they are very 

 free risers and hard fighters, and their flesh affords very delicate fare. 



137 



