RAINBOW TROUT 



[Saliiio in dens) 



These trout were introduced into this country from America over 

 twenty years ago. As time went on they were thought to be much 

 superior to the fario as sporting fish. They may be so in their own 

 country, but our cHmate does not seem to suit them. In a few English 

 rivers they have done fairly well, as also in Blagdon Lake. If left 

 to themselves for a year or two, however, I think they would all 

 disappear. I have had ten years' experience of them in Scotland, and 

 have introduced them into many lochs. They did well for three or 

 four years and weighed about ih lbs. ; but after that we saw few 

 of them. Some ot them spawned, but ne\'er in sufficient numbers to 

 establish themselves. 



Great care has to be taken in introducing them into a new lake, 

 as most of them will escape Irom it in a iew days if they are not 

 prevented by hecks. They appear to have splendid memories, for 

 if you once catch one and return him you seldom catch him 

 again. Another drawback is that they spawn in April and May, and 

 are not worth catching until well on in the season. It is therefore 

 not advisable to have trout and rainbow trout together in the same 

 loch. The best way to do with rainbow trout is to stock a loch with 

 two-year-olds, and fish for them the following year. If the feeding 

 is good, three-year-old fish should be from i to i^^- or even 2 lbs. in 

 weight. In reservoirs where they cannot get out they grow to a 

 large size ; we have some here from 7 to 10 lbs. WTen in proper 

 condition they are very good tor the table. 



