FISH, AND HOW TO MOUNT THEM. 127 



CHAPTER XXII. 



FISH, AND HOW TO MOUNT THEM. 



Fish of the same species vary greatly in size and color 

 in different waters. Those fresh water 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, particularly in cloudy weather. 

 Nearly 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 



