48 THE SEA-TROUT 



found in the streams of those countries lying northwards of the Straits 

 of Gibraltar, sea-trout will be found in their coastal waters also. But 

 the success of modern experiments in the transplanting of trout ova 

 has been so remarkable that the range of trout has been extended to 

 the Antipodes, India and Africa, and in New Zealand at least a race of 

 migratory trout has sprung from the transplanted stock which — as 

 many of the facts noted in this book will suggest — is to all intents and 

 purposes now a race of sea-trout. 



In the British Islands, it is certain, the sea-trout is indigenous to all 

 our coasts, and particularly it exists in enormous shoals on the western 

 coasts of Ireland and round all the coasts of Scotland, both of the 

 mainland and of the islands, wherever access can be gained from the 

 sea or estuary to suitable inland spawning grounds. It is reasonable 

 to assume that the absence from our rivers of impassable obstructions 

 and serious pollutions is a condition necessary to the presence of sea- 

 trout in them and their estuaries. How far the destruction of trout in 

 our streams from one cause or another will affect the stock of sea-trout 

 is a problem which has already been touched upon. 



It is not easy to state precisely what weight a sea-trout may attain 

 to. The size of the fish appears to vary greatly according to the type 

 of waters in which it has been bred and the type of coastal waters to 

 which it may migrate. But the factors of feeding and spawning largely 

 affect the rate of growth, and I think it would be difficult to discover 

 any fixed rule. I have not the least doubt, too, that the problem of 

 weight has been confused by some of those salmon which for brevity 

 may be designated " Tay bull trout," having been recorded as sea-trout 

 before their identity was so well established as it is now. Further, the 

 fish which has more claim to be called a " bull trout " grows to a 

 considerable size, and it is not always easy to discover which class of 

 sea-trout is in question when any record of weight is cited. Mr. Regan, 

 discussing trout generally, refer- to them as attaining a weight of 40 lb.. 



