PERIODIC MOVEMENTS OF TROUT. 15 



January and in February, or in March.* The precise 

 time depends also in a measure on the prevailing state 

 of the weather and water. In the close season, trout 

 leave the larger streams, ascending the brooks and 

 rivulets, in the gravelly bottoms of which they deposit 

 their spawn. When this operation is effected they 

 disperse to their wonted haunts, the tails of currents, 

 lying for the most part above and below pools and 

 slow running deeps, behind any impediment to the 

 running water, such as thick piles and sunken timber. 

 As they get into condition they move to stronger 

 water, occasionally for this purpose ascending brooks 

 whose waters may be turbulent and strong to their 

 very source. Here they linger by the edges of 

 streams that flow into the throats of the pools, and 

 at this period rise boldly and unsuspectingly for a 

 time, and are then to be allured by the novice in a 

 comparatively easy manner. After the lapse of a 

 few short weeks, as the water and weather become 

 clearer and brighter, the trout grow cautious, where 

 heavily fished over, they having now entirely recovered 

 their customary vigour, and with it their beauty of 

 form and colour. They now take up their old posi- 

 tions, vacated prior to the commencement of the 

 spawning season. These are chosen as vantage 

 ground for food, the largest fish occupying the best 

 feeding ground, and when one of these has been 



* The close season, as by law established, is from the 2nd of October 

 to the 1st of February following, both inclusive. Bye-laws are, how- 

 ever, framed to meet exceptional cases : " The close season for salmon 

 ranges from the 1st of September to the ist of February following, but 

 it is lawful to take salmon up to the 1st of November with the rod and 

 line." 



