366 AMERICAN FISHES. 



to fifteen or twenty pounds, though the average of the fish is undenia- 

 bly below a pound. 



There can, I am now satisfied, be no doubt that the very large red- 

 spotted fish described by Dr. Smith, under the title of Hucko, as ex- 

 isting in many of the lakes of New England, is nothing more, as I 

 surmised in the first instance, than an enormous and overgrown Brook 

 Trout, very large specimens of which are constantly brought into the 

 Boston markets from the interior of New Hampshire. The wonderful 

 effect of different waters on the growth, coloring and flavor of fish has 

 been already mentioned ; and I shall have yet more to say on this sub- 

 ject when I come to speak of the Lake Trout. 



I will only here farther observe, that on recent information from an 

 undoubted authority, I have reason to believe that I have overestima- 

 ted the average weight of the Brook Trout taken in Carman's Creek 

 on Long Island ; a very hjghly accomplished angler, who fishes those 

 waters constantly, having assured me that the average is not now above 

 three-fourths of a pound. There is no question, that in waters so 

 assiduously whipped as those of Long Island, not only the number but 

 the size of Trout must necessarily decrease. For farther instruction 

 on Fly-fishing, &c., I must now refer my reader to the Second Part of 

 this Supplement, where he will find, I trust, all that may be necessary 

 to supply what was omitted above, both as regards doctrine and prac 

 tice, art and implements, necessary for the gentle craft. 



