CHAPTER XV 



THE BROOK TROUT INCOGNITO 



(The "Sea Trout") 



"I am the wiser in respect to all knowledge and the better 

 qualified for all fortunes for knowing that there is a minnow in 

 that brook." THOREAU. 



THERE is still considerable argument about the 

 identification and classification of the sea trout. 

 Some authorities still claim the sea trout is a distinct 

 species; others declare it to be the brook trout, Salve- 

 linus fontinalis, that goes to sea from the fresh water 

 ponds and streams. 



The squeteague (vulgo weakfish, wheatfish, sea 

 bass, white sea bass, carvina, checutts, shecutts, 

 yellowfin, drummer, bluefish, squit, suckermang, 

 succoteague, squitee, chickwit, gray trout, sun trout, 

 salmon, salmon trout, shad trout, sea trout, salt- 

 water trout, spotted trout, etc.) is not a trout of 

 any sort; so this species need not be considered in this 

 sea trout discussion. 



My personal theory concerning the sea trout is that 

 any trout that goes to sea is a sea trout, and that more 

 than one species of trout go to sea whenever they 

 have the opportunity. 



The small-stream trout that visit the ocean do so 

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