318 SALMON FISHIXG IN CANADA. 



Trout are classed by Ichthyologists among the salmon family, 

 and denominated the Sahno Fario; of -which there are perhaps a 

 thousand varieties. A large proportion of these are found in 

 Lower Canada ; but the Canadian trout is much inferior in firm- 

 ness and flavour to the same fish in Europe. Besides, it is often 

 brought into market in very indiiferent condition, and before it 

 has had time to recover frtmi the deliilitating efi'ects of the long 

 ■winter ; for when the ice disappears, all the fresh-water fish here 

 are in a state of great leanness and weakness fi-om want of food. 

 Trout in this country arc in the best order about the end of Jul}', 

 when they have had time to fatten on the numerous insects with 

 which the waters abound in the summer, and before the season of 

 piairing injures the llavoiir of their flesh. The Canadian trout 

 are fir less jiartieular as to their food than their brethren in the 

 old world. They are moreover sluggish in their movements, 

 make sliglit resistance when hooked by the angler, and afford 

 fiut little amusement. 



But there is an exception to this. A large, lively, and beau- 

 tiful salmon trout, called liy Griffiths in his " Animal Kingdom " 

 the Sulino Canadensis, is to be foimd in the lower liranches of 

 the St. Lawrence, on the north shore. This is unquestionably 

 the most splendid trout I have ever seen, and is besides a fish of 

 firm, pink flesh, and the finest flavour. It is voracious, strong, 

 and active, leaping out of the water like a salmon, and affcn-ding 

 the fisher excellent sport. The dolphin's vaunted skin (and 

 I have seen and caught many) is far inferior to the superb 

 coloui-s of this fine trout ; and the clustering and brilliant spots 

 of red, yeUow, blue, and gold on its rich coat, almcist defy tlie 

 pencil to represent them adccp-iately. In the IMalbay river, 

 ninety miles below Quebec, I have frequently caught fi-om two 

 to three dozen of these literallj' glorious trout in a forenoon — 

 many four and five pcmnds weight, but averaging about three. 

 Last year I caught one enormous individual of the same kind, 



