THE TROUT. 489 
is it even checked by falls. These it surmounts by springing out of the 
water, fairly passing over the fall. Heights of fourteen or fifteen feet are 
constantly leaped by this powerful fish, and when it has arrived at the 
higher and shallower parts of the river, it scoops furrows in the gravelly 
bottom, and there deposits its spawn. The young, called “ fry,” are hatched 
about March, and immediately commence their retreat to the sea. By the 
end of May the young Salmon, now called “smolts,” have almost entirely 
deserted the rivers, and in June not oné is to be found in fresh water. Small 
Salmon, weighing less than two pounds, are termed “ salmon peel,” all above 
that weight are called“ grilse.” 
The havoc wrought among Salmon by foes of every description is so 
enormous, that notwithstanding the great fecundity of the fish, it is a matter 
of surprise that so many escape destruction; for although the fish are 
preserved from their human foes by many stringent regulations, yet other 
foes, such as otters, who devour the large fish, and other fish ‘who devour the 
spawn, have but little respect for laws and regulations. 
While in the rivers, multitudes of Salmon are annually caught, usually by 
stake nets, which are capable of confining an immense number of fish at one 
time. Salmon-spearing is a favourite amusement. This animated and 
exciting sport is usually carried on by torch-light. The torches, when held 
close to the surface of the water, illumine the depths of the river, and render 
every fish within its influence perfectly visible: The watchful spearman, 
guided by slight indications bearing no meaning to an unpractised eye, darts 
his unerring spear, and brings up in triumph the glittering captive, writhing 
in vain among the barbed points. In the northern rivers this destructive 
pursuit is carried on to a 
great extent, more than a 
hundred salmon being 
frequently taken in aneven- 
ing. Anglers also find con- 
siderable sport in using 
the fly for this beautiful 
and active fish, whose 
strength makes it no mean 
antagonist. 
NEXT to the salmon, 
the bright-scaled, carmine- 
speckled, active TROUT 
is perhaps the greatest 
favourite of anglers, and 
fully deserves the eulogies 
of all lovers of the rod; TROUT.—(Salmo fario.) 
its peculiarly delicate flesh, 
its fastidious voracity, and the mixture of strength, agility, and spirited 
courage with which it endeavours to free itself from the hook, forming a 
combination of excellences rarely met with in any individual fish. 
The Trout is found in rapid and clear-running streams, but cares not for 
the open and shallow parts of the river, preferring the shelter of some stone 
or hole in the bank, whence it may watch for prey. Like the pike, it haunts 
some especial hiding-place, and in a similar manner is sure to take posses- 
sion of a favourable haunt that has been rendered vacant by the demise of its 
predecessor or its promotion to superior quarters. Various baits are used in 
fishing for trout, such as the worm, the minnow, and the fly, both natural and 
artificial, the latter being certainly the neatest and most artistic method. 
The arcana of angling are not within the province of this work ; and fo. 
