120 PRACTICAL FLY FISHING 



a deep lake I have taken brook trout that were almost 

 azure, dusted with bronze flecks, and sea run trout 

 are silvery white. 



HABITAT 



The beauties of the brook trout and its habitat have 

 much to do with the enthusiasm of anglers who go 

 a-trouting. As Camp points out we always associate 

 the brook trout with white tailed deer, the partridge 

 and the gray squirrel. Cone bearing trees, cold purl- 

 ing water, some distance removed from civilization, are 

 the true settings of trout and trouting, for the brook 

 trout is essentially a fish of the silent places. 



FOOD 



As any observer would surmise by looking at a 

 trout's teeth he is carnivorous. Crustacea, snails and 

 other molluscs, insects and their larvae and small 

 fishes make up the main diet of the trout although 

 when they reach the " whopper " stage they become 

 gross feeders and will not hesitate to snap up a small 

 snake, water bird or even their own kind. 



BREEDING AND GROWTH 



The brook trout is a fall spawner, for which reason 

 the legal season in most states closes in September 

 or October. Contrary to general belief the brook 

 trout does not require cold water. Providing the 

 water is sufficiently aerated, trout will breed and thrive 

 if it goes as high as 70 or even 80 degrees F. Ideal 



