230 AMERICAN ANGLER'S BOOK. 



of the Salmon," and other British authority, that in all proba- 

 bility the Smolt that goes to sea not larger than figure 7 on 

 page 227, returns in ei^ht or nine weeks a Grilse of five 

 pounds or more. Some writers mention them of eight or 

 nine pounds, and say that the average is over four pounds. 

 The generality of American Grilse, as far as my experience 

 goes, do not weigh over three pounds. During the whole of 

 last summer's fishing on the Nipissiguit, I killed but two that 

 weighed as much as five. 



A Grilse can easily be distinguished from a Salmon, even 

 if both should be of the same size (which is not usual), by 

 its short small head, and the shape of the markings above and 

 along the lateral line, which are more numerous, and are 

 round or oval instead of being angular and shaped like an X, 

 as they frequently are on a Salmon. 



From personal observation, and the information obtained 

 from the canoe-men (and certainly they have the means of 

 judging, for they open enough of them), the female Grilse is 

 never found with roe, though the milt occurs in the malesj 

 who, no doubt, perform the office of procreation with the 

 female Salmon. Grilse lose flesh and condition in fresh 

 water, as Salmon do, though it may not be to the same extent. 



There is nothing in the water that surpasses a Grilse in its 

 symmetrical beauty, its brilliancy, and its agility and pluck. 

 I have had one of four pounds to leap from the water ten 

 times, and higher and further than a Salmon. Woe to the 

 angler who attempts, without giving line, to hold one even 

 of three pounds ; he does it at the risk of his casting-line, or 

 his agile opponent tears a piece from its jaw or snout in its 

 desperate efforts to escape, and frequently it is not until after 

 repeated attempts that the canoe-man is able to gaff it. The 

 only safe plan to secure one is with a wide landing-net. 



The usual manner of noting the growth of Grilse or Salmon 



