THE TALE OF THE FISHES 



band. There are conspicuous differences in intensity 

 of general coloration, and the gaudy dyes of the milter 

 are tempered in the spawner to a creamy white or olive 

 chrome, with spots of orient opal. The wedding gar- 

 ment nature has given to this charr is indeed agleam 

 with heavenly alchemy. 



And its pursuit and capture with a five-ounce six- 

 strip and delicate tackle baffles description, for the 

 game qualities of the white trout are estimated to be 

 double those of the foniinalis. To land a 4-pound 

 saibling in his prime implies the sublimination of vigi- 

 lance and dexterity. The lish holds the coign of van- 

 tage. When he stands back and with bull-dog pertin- 

 acity wrenches savagely at the line — when he doubles 

 in a desperate dash for liberty, the angler is at his 

 mercy. But, brother of the sleave-silk and tinsel, when 

 you gaze upon your captive lying asphyxiated on the 

 surface, his last mad rush for life frustrated, his last 

 wintle over, a synthesis of qualities that make a perfect 

 fish — when you disengage him from the meshes of the 

 landing net, and place his icy figure in your outstretched 

 palms, and watch the tropaeolin glow of his awakening 

 loves soften into cream tints, and the cream tints pale 



29 



