194 WILD LIFE AND THE CAMERA 



places they are decidedly sluggish ; in others they 

 fight well, but do not break water, while in many 

 rivers they behave almost Hke the Atlantic salmon 

 in their method of fighting when hooked, leaping 

 frantically from the water half a dozen times or 

 more in the endeavour to free themselves. On an 

 average, however, they seem to be rather less 

 gamey than the Eastern brook trout. Notwith- 

 standing this slight disadvantage, it is more than 

 probable that the time will soon come when the 

 rainbow, together with the European brown trout, 

 will take the place of the much-prized and too 

 ardently sought after brook trout, as they are 

 hardier and will more readily adapt theiBselves to 

 the increasing warmth of the Eastern streams. 

 This warmth is due to the ruthless cutting of 

 timber, and the unfortunate necessity of clearing 

 land, so that the streams are deprived of the much- 

 needed shade, consequently the water is warmed by 

 the direct sunlight, and evaporation is so rapid that 

 by the middle or end of summer there is a lack of 

 water in streams which formerly contained plenty 

 for the needs of the trout. The brook trout 

 requires cold water, but the rainbow and European 

 will thrive in water that reaches a temperature of 

 eighty degrees. Colder water will, however, produce 

 a more healthy and gamey fish. 



Of the various forms of the rainbow trout, 

 that found in the Kern River, California, and 

 known as the Kern River or Gilbert trout (^S*. 

 iridens gilberti), is perhaps the most gamey. It 

 does not run as large as some of the other varieties, 

 seldom in fact weighing over four or five pounds. 



