342 GAME FISH OF NORTH AMERICA. 



between end of muzzle and insertion of caudal fin ; muzzle pointed 

 Branchiae, x, xi. Color, olive-brown on back with silvery reflec- 

 tions, fins red or orange. Head and gill covers spotted profusely 

 with black ; back and sides also spotted irregularly, numerous near 

 the tail. Dorsal, adipose and caudal fins also spotted. 



Suckley states it may be distinguished from 5. leraiisi by its 

 large head and more slender fo.m, larger scales, more numerous 

 spots and more forked tail. From 5. virginalis by its strongly 

 forked tail and spotted head. Habitat, California and Pacific 

 States. It has been taken in nearly all the waters of the Pacific, 

 notably at San Mateo Creek, Cal., San Francisco, Chico Creek, 

 Cal., Humboldt Bay, Dallas, Oregon, Fort Steilacoom, Nisqually 

 Creek, Cape Flattery, Puget Sound, Kern River, Cal., etc. 



This species may be taken with almost any kind of bait. It 

 will rise readily and greedily to the fly or the grasshopper ; raw 

 meat is good, the eye of a fish excellent ; grubs, lar\'ae, and worms, 

 all seem to be eagerly desired. Suckley has taken them by troll- 

 ing with a " belly fin of a fresh killed fish." There is a peculiarity 

 of this fish and its western congeners regarding location, which is 

 worthy of mention. Unlike the eastern trout it seems rather to 

 prefer moderate currents of water, or indeed pools which are ab- 

 solutely still, and this fact should be remembered by those who 

 fish. This specimen attains a weight of from four to six pounds, 

 and is in good condition for the table from spring until near Christ- 

 mas, at which time they begin to spawn. 



Mr. Henshaw, the ornithologist of the Expedition for Explora- 

 tions West of the one hundredth Meridian, who has had consider- 

 able experience, states that " in the rapids of the mountain streams 

 artificial flies can be used with excellent effect, the smaller individuals 

 striking freely. In the pools of such stream^s, however, they are 

 of less service, grasshoppers or the white larvae found in rotten 

 pine stumps being there the most killing bait. Dr. H. C. Yarrow 

 states that he has taken seventeen fine trout out of one pool not 

 more than three feet in diameter, in quick succession with grass- 

 hoppers. In the large mountain streams of Kern River, California, 

 where the trout reach a weight of seven pounds, a spoon bait often 

 proves very taking. Early in the season any or all baits suffice, 

 but later, when thi trout get thinned out, they are very shy, and 



