70 



THE TROUT. 



length from 6 to 24 inches ; they are of a darker color, and 

 do not possess that beauty of appearance when out of the 

 water, or that delicious flavor when upon the table ; neither 

 do they contribute as much to the Angler's sport, as those of 

 more northern latitudes. 



Another species of trout, mentioned by Smith, is the 

 Hucho Trout, (Salmo Hucho,) resembling very much the 

 sea trout; it is found, on careful inspection, to be more 

 slender, and to have a greater number of red spots ; the back 

 is dusky ; the ventral fin has a yellowish tinge ; all the others 

 are of a palish purple ; the tail is forked, and the fish measures 

 sometimes four feet through ; ordinarily they are only about two, 

 and caught by the hook. This trout certainly exists in the 

 large rivers and ponds in the interior, but deteriorate in size 

 They are brought from New-Hampshire in the winter, frozen 

 for the markets, and from the northern parts of Maine, where 

 specimens have been taken, large as any produced in the 

 great rivers of Europe. 



There is no fish that varies so much in size, shape, color 

 and flavor, as the trout. They are found in different varieties 

 in the same stream, and vary so much in external appearance 

 and flavor in some parts of the Union, as to lead to different 

 appellations from experienced and scientific men. 



They usually spawn in the months of September and Oc- 

 tober. The best time for taking them is from April until 

 August ; but if the weather is mild and pleasant, they are 

 often taken in fine condition and of large size, in the month 

 of March. . They are not, however, considered in perfection 

 until the months of May and June, until which time, owing 

 to the coldness of our climate, they do not obtain sufficient 

 quantity of the proper food to make them active and healthy. 

 They are also more difficult to take, and will give the sports- 

 man more pleasure than in the months of March and April, 

 when they bite more freely, but not with that zest and vigor. 



