15 



however, is short, and not so pointed; its eye more 

 bright and expressive ; its tail not so much forked ; 

 and its fins more lightly tinged, being of a yellow- 

 ish red cast, especially toward their edges. Its 

 body and gills abound with beautiful red and black 

 spots while it is in season and fit for the table. 

 These spots appear more faint and indistinct as it 

 approaches its spawning time (about October and 

 November), during which it is scarcely eatable. 



Fishing for trout requires great skill. No fish 

 are so nice in biting, so choice in taking the bait, 

 or so shy of the hook. If they see the line, they 

 will seldom bite at all; if they see the angler, 

 never; and therefore, if you fish for them with a 

 single hair at the hook, or for two or three links 

 above the hook, you will catch five for one that 

 you would by fishing with a link of twisted hair. 

 It is true, a very large trout will break all away, 

 and is not always to be taken by a single hair; but 

 trout from twelve to fifteen inches long may be taken 

 by this tackle. 



A trout is very strong and swift, and will strug- 

 gle long before he will yield, running among weeds, 

 roots of trees, old piles, and into holes, and by this 

 means often entangling and breaking the tackle. 

 As soon as struck, they run away with the line like 

 a pike, but may be drawn gently out by the hand 

 of the skilful angler; the second time they will not 

 run so far as at the first. When spent and fatigued 

 with struggling, they may be landed by a hand or 

 landing-net, and secured. 



Though he loves swift waters, he lies in the 

 quietest place he can find in such streams; as, for 

 instance, under a headland or point, where the 

 current occasions an eddy ; and there, sheltered by 

 the land, he lies in wait for what the stream may 



