FISH, A:&fD HOW TO MOUis^T THEM. 127 



CHAPTER XXII. 



FISH, AND HOW TO MOUNT THEM. 



Fish of tlie same species vary greatly in size and color 

 in different waters. Those fresh Avater fishes which fre- 

 quent brackish and dark-colored waters, have the richest 

 colors. 



The trout family is the most susceptible to the action 

 of brackish water, which not only brightly colors the skin, 

 but imparts a rich salmon tint to the flesh. A young 

 trout removed from dark to clear spring water gradually 

 loses its red underside and dark back, and both flesh and 

 skin will assume a lighter color. 



Salmon and trout should be caught with artificial flies 

 at morning and evening during the summer. In swift 

 waters, they readily take a baited hook ; in winter, they 

 can be caught with live bait or worms through holes cut 

 in the ice. Pike, bass, and perch, take the revolving 

 spoon baits when trolled, i^articulaiiy in cloudy weather. 

 ]S"early all other fresh water fish can be secured by ang- 

 ling ; lightly arranged tackle should be used. 



Salt water fish are more hardy, and are often " fetch- 

 ed " with the rudest tackle. Blue-fish, Spanish mackerel, 

 and bonito or ^' skip-jack " will take the squid as bait, 

 while nearly all salt water species relish moss-bunkers, 

 killies, shrimp, sand fleas, lobster, and clams. 



Some kinds, such as the sturgeon, shad, and moss- 

 bunker, can be taken with nets only. Larger fishes, 

 not in market, such as sharks, dog-fish, skates, etc., can 

 be caught from the deck of a yacht at anchor a few miles 

 off the ocean coast in five or more fathoms of water. 

 Fresh fish should be used for bait and attached to large 



