48 SEA TROUT. 



from greater use in the swift current ; their shape even 

 seems to alter, and they are altogether unlovely by com- 

 parison with their former selves. Are they, therefore, 

 " like Cerberus, three gentlemen at once," and entitled 

 to three distinct appellations, or are they simply our 

 dearly loved old friends, the Speckled Trout f 



The change in appearance of these fish cannot be ex- 

 plained by the suggestion that the ordinary brook trout 

 ascend the rivers and mingle with those of the sea, be- 

 cause the latter are to be caught in every stage, from the 

 brilliancy of the fresh river fish to the dull colors of the 

 oldest inhabitant. And it will be noticed that at the 

 heads of the rivers a bright-colored fish is rarely met with, 

 although they must be, with few exceptions, all sea trout. 



The best trout rivers of Canada are troublesome to reach, 

 difficult to ascend, and seldom attempted by any but the 

 salmon fisher. To the latter, the trout, attractive as he 

 seems to us, is a trial and a nuisance. Abundant and vora- 

 cious, he often rushes in advance of the lordly salmon, seizes 

 the fly, and then discovering his mistake, by his struggles 

 disturbs the pool, ruffles the fisherman's temper, and 

 frightens the larger game from its equanimity. He is 

 therefore little noticed by the frequenters of the head- 

 waters, except to be denounced, and his delicate peculi- 

 arities seldom considered and less esteemed. He is princi- 

 pally sought in the tide water along the shores, or from 

 boats in the open bays, but rarely followed to his summer 

 home. The statements, therefore, of Canadian fishermen 

 with regard to him must be cautiously received and care- 

 fully weighed ; their experience may not have been suf- 

 ciently extended. 



