THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 73 



quarter of a pound ; whilst others assert that, on 

 visiting the sea, they change their form in some 

 points, lose the dark marks on their sides, and 

 return to the rivers several pounds in weight. 

 In corroboration of their growth, a gentleman of 

 the greatest respectability assured the compiler 

 that he has frequently taken them from the river 

 by means of a casting-net, and turned them into 

 a pool, through which the stream of a mountain 

 rivulet passed, and that they throve wonderfully, 

 and exceeded the weight of a pound in a short 

 space of time. As opinions respecting this fish 

 are so various, it is surprising that some ex- 

 perienced naturalist has not directed his attention 

 to the observation of its haunts and habits, to 

 settle the points in dispute. 



These fish afford the angler great diversion, 

 as they will rise at the fly at almost all times ; 

 and even when the water is extremely low, from 

 long droughts, or when the sun is shining in 

 all his splendour, they may be taken in consider- 

 able quantities. They are of exquisite flavour, 



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