CHAPTER XXVI. 



THE BLACK TROUT. 



THIS fish, found in most of the Southern states, is a trout by 

 name, and perhaps by nature, but not in appearance, being very 

 unlike the beautiful, bright sided, red spotted, lovely creature of 

 the North. He is not noticed by any of our ichthyologists, 

 but is classed by experienced anglers with the perch family, 

 where he no doubt properly belongs. In appearance, nature, 

 and habits, he is similar to the black basse of the Northern 

 streams and lakes, and by some amateurs in the art is believed 

 to be the same. Like other species of which we discourse, he 

 varies considerably in the different latitudes in which he is 

 found, and in some parts is called by different names. His 

 general color is dark on the back running into white on the 

 belly ; the fins are of the same shape, and disposed similar to those 

 of the black basse. He has a large head and capacious mouth, 

 and like many others of our game fish has a projecting under 

 jaw. When boiled (decidedly the best way of cooking him), 

 the color of his flesh (although coarse) is as white as that 

 of the halibut. If put into the pot soon after being brought 

 from his element he makes a dish worthy of the angler's toil. 



The black trout commence taking the hook in the month of 

 April, and continue biting until June. In the months of July 

 and August they are hard to take, being on their spawning 

 beds.' But in September and October they are again on hand 

 for a bite (at which they are pretty good), when they are much 

 sought after. They delight to sun themselves near the surface, 

 about logs and lily pads, and are there caught (fishing two feet 

 deep) with the minnow, killy, or what is better, the roach ; 

 " a dainty dish for this lively fish," is the small " horny head," 



