GROWING THE LARGE TROUT. 227 



incredible * that they throw discredit on even well-au- 

 thenticated cases, t I am fortunate enough, however, - 

 through the kindness of George Shepard Page, Presi- 

 dent of the Oquossoc Angling Association, and B. F. 

 Bowles, Esq., a member of the same Association, to 

 cite three instances of unquestionable authenticity, of 

 trout (Salmo fontinalis) actually caught, which weighed 

 between 9 and 10 pounds. They are as follows. In 

 September, 1867, Mr. Geo. S. Page caught at the outlet 

 of Rangeley Lake, Franklin Co., Maine, two male 

 trout, one weighing 10 pounds, the other 9! pounds. 

 In June, 187 1, Theo. L. Page, Esq., caught a trout in 

 Mooseluc Maguntic Lake, in the same county, weigh- 

 ing q\ pounds. These are the largest brook trout in 

 regard to which I have succeeded in obtaining well- 

 attested statistics, after making inquiries in various di- 

 rections ; and I think it is safe to venture the assertion 

 that these trout, if not the largest individuals ever 

 caught in this country, are representatives of the 

 largest type of the Salmo fontinalis in the United 

 States.t The weight of trout is very deceptive. There 



* A famous fish-story teller once said that he cut a hole " 

 through the ice at Lake Erie, not more than two inches across, 

 with his pocket-knife, and presently pulled out a mascalonge 

 that weighed a hundred pounds. On being asked how he drew 

 so large a fish through so small a hole, he replied that he had 

 not thought of that. 



t Trout Culture, p. 45. 



% The following letter gives a fuller account of the large trout 

 caught by Mr. Page : — 



10 Warren Street, New York, August 14, 1871. 

 Livingston Stone, Esq. 



Dear Sir : In reply to yours of the 5th instant, making in- 

 quiries with regard to brook trout, 1 have much pleasure in men- 



