EASTERN COAST FISHE<^ 265 



giving him line when you cannot help it, and reeling in all you can 

 get, as occasion offers. When imperatively necessary to check a 

 fish, do it at the risk of your tackle, by giving him the but of the 

 rod so that the power of its yielding arch may be exerted to its 

 TuUest. When your reel is emptied, follow your fish with your 

 body and soul, regardless of obstructions or the moisture and 

 temperature of the water. If you have a canoe available it can 

 often be put to most advantageous use, if your paddler is expert 

 and up to his work. 



The natural range of Salmo salar extends from middle Labra- 

 dor to the Connecticut River. It has been widely introduced, how- 

 ever, into latitudes far south of this river. 



Sea Trout. — Salmo immaculatus : S. canadensis. — Smith. 



Scientific authorities place this fish among the doubtful species. 

 While in general appearance it resemble Salvelinus fontinalis, 

 which many ichthyologists claim is identical with it, its traits are 

 so different that in describing it, we are obliged to speak of it as a 

 distinct variety, to make our remarks applicable, even if we admit 

 that it is the same fish. 



In the first place the sea trout, known as such, are confined to 

 Canadian waters exclusively. They are caught only in midTSum- 

 mer, arid seldom under a quarter of a pound in weight. Their 

 average of all localities may be said to reach two pounds, while 

 in the river Nouvelle, (Gaspe) which empties into the Bay Chaleur 

 they reach six pounds, an extraordinary weight for salmo fon- 

 tinalis ; though by no means marvelous. The " strawberry run " 

 of sea trout, as it is called, occurs about the ist of July on the 

 southwestern coast of Nova Scotia, the Tish moving east as the 

 season advances, until they reach the north shore of the St. Law- 

 rence about the 5th of August. Evidently an immense school 

 strikes in from the sea, detachments dropping off as it progresses, 

 into the rivers along the coast. The fishing season lasts about six 

 weeks, the fish meanwhile ascending to the headwaters of the 

 streams, and often surmounting falls of steep ascent. They are 

 taken in nets in immense quantities, and are salted and barreled 

 for commerce, the common brook trout taken with them being 

 Invariably rejected by the fishermen as much inferior in quality, 

 12 



