iiJi.' 



224 FOREST LIFE IN ACADIE. 



The size attained by this fish along the Athmtic coasts 

 rarely exceeds five pounds : from one to three pounds 

 is the weight of the generality of specimens. The 

 fiivourite localities for sea trout are the numerous har- 

 bours with which the coasts of the maritime provinces 

 (of Nova Scotia in particular) are frequently indented. 

 First seen in the early spring, they affect these harbours 

 throughout the summer, luxuriating on the rich food 

 afforded on the sand flats, or amongst the kelp shoals. 

 On the former localities the sand-hopper (Talitrus) seems 

 to be their principal food ; and they pursue the shoals of 

 small fry which haunt the weeds, preying on the smelt 

 (Osmerus) on its way to the brooks, and on the caplin 

 '^ ';■ (Mallotus) in the harbours of Newfoundland and Cape 



Breton. They will take an artificial fly either in the 

 harbour or in fresh water. 



When hooked by the fly-fisherman on their first 

 V entrance to the fresh water, they afford sport second 



•j-' only to that of salmon-fishing. No more beautiful fish 



ever reposed in an angler's basket. The gamencss with 

 which they prolong the contest — often flinging them- 

 ^li- selves salmon-like from the water — the flashing lights 



reflected from their sides as they struggle for life on 

 |.| removal of the fly from their lips, their graceful form, 



|!;( and colouring so exquisitely delicate — sides molten-silver 



^;.; j'. with carmine spangles, and back of light mackerel-green 



■ ' '' — and, lastly, the delicious flavour of their flesh when 



, brought to table, entitle the sea trout to a high conside- 



ration and place amongst the game-fish of the provinces. 

 In some harbours the trout remains all the summer 

 '. V months feeding on its favourite grounds, but in general 



! it returns to its native fresh water at distinctly marked 



