CHAPTER VI. 

 OP THE TROUT. 



This beautiful and well known fish inhabits the waters of 

 almost all countries on the globe. In England, Ireland, Scot- 

 laud, Germany, and Prussia, it is sought for by the angler and 

 the epicure as the height of their admiration. Our own coun- 

 try, with its countless streams and lakes, furnishes quantities 

 equal to all the rest combined ; and although they have been 

 much sought after within a few years back, still there are 

 many streams where the line never floated, or the trout ever 

 had the satisfaction of being tempted by the angler's scientific 

 art. They vary greatly in size, color and description, accord- 

 ing to the climate, the nature of the water, or the quality of 

 their feed. They go under the different names of common 

 or silver trout, black trout, sea trout, and bass. 



The Silver Trout, or common trout, is found in almost all 

 of our clear swift running northern streams, and weigh from one 

 to 15 pounds. A splendid specimen of this species of trout is 

 taken in Bashe's Kill, Sullivan County, New-York, said to sur- 

 pass any thing of the kind in the world. This stream winds along 

 the western side of Shawangunk mountain, through the beauti- 

 ful and well cultivated valley of Memekating, has a smooth 

 gravelly bottom, and so remarkably clear and transparent is 

 it, that the smallest insect is perceptible on its bed. 



