CHAPTER II 
GRILSE 
Return of marked smolts as grilse the following season— 
Habits of grilse in the sea—Ascent of grilse from sea— 
Habit of many to remain in sea beyond grilse stage—Small 
spring fish—The spawning of grilse—Ascent of grilse when 
in poor condition—Argument in support of the marine 
origin of the salmon—Entrance of salmon to fresh water 
not entirely explained by condition of satiety—Reproduction 
in fresh water—Possible transference of small fish from one 
river to another—Movements of marked grilse along coast of 
Scotland 
THE smolts were all marked in the neighbourhood 
of Kinfauns, where, as already explained, the little 
fish can be most easily procured in spring. The 
operations were carried on from the end of April till 
early in June. 
No recaptures of those wired smolts after attain- 
ing the grilse condition were made during the 
summer or autumn of the year of marking (1905), 
although the tidal waters were netted day and night 
as usual through the fishing season, and rod-fishing 
continued till October 15. 
On June 1, 1906, the first recapture was made, 
the grilse having the unmistakable silver wire 
attachment. Soon afterwards others turned up in 
the nets. The first recapture was appropriately 
