120 DOMESTICATED TROUT. 



and that the fish in the water feel the difference as we 

 do. None know better than old anglers how much the 

 weather affects the feelings of the fish under water, and 

 I am inclined to think that most of them hold very 

 much the same theory. It is at all events true, that in 

 the spawning season the trout are very much influenced 

 in their spawning by the character of the day. 



An experienced breeder can tell in the morning, by 

 the wind, the sky, and the state of the air, how his 

 trout are going to spawn that day. Indeed, a person 

 sensitive to the changes in the weather can tell by 

 his feelings, with his eyes shut, whether it is going to 

 be a good day for spawning. A warm rain is the 

 most favorable condition for spawning. A sharp, 

 frosty night, followed by a warm, bright, sunny after- 

 noon, is the next best.* A warm rain, particularly, 

 brings up the fish upon the beds in swarms. 



This is partly owing to the increased volume of the 

 water, for a freshet always calls out the instinct in 

 trout and salmon to rush up to higher waters ; but 

 it is not wholly this, for the action of the pattering 

 rain on the water hastens irresistibly their time of 

 parturition, and they would spawn more in a warm 

 rain, if the volume of water were not increased any. 

 On these favorable days it is noticeable that the milt 

 of the males is also much better ripened, as well as 

 the eggs of the female. 



* Francis, I think, says that a cloudy day is best for spawning. 

 My experience has been entirely to the contrary, unless it rained. 

 The explanation may possibly be that he saw them best on a 

 cloudy day, as they are less shy on such days. 



