334 TROUT AND ANGLING. 



was no such thing as taking a fish, but having pro- 

 ceeded farther to the eastward, and revisiting the 

 lake after a lapse often days, the result was such as 

 might be expected from warm weather and a more 

 advanced season. On this occasion the average 

 number taken in a day., by the party of four, which 

 ransacked the lake in a boat, was near twenty^ 

 five, the weight being from about two to five pounds 

 each. 



Very erroneous opinions are formed of the 

 weight of these trout. They are generally exag- 

 gerated ; and this may be said of them wherever 

 they are found, but as it respects this pond, though 

 it is not uncommon to take them of six, and occa- 

 sionally of twelve pounds, yet it was the opinion 

 of the celebrated Mr White, which has been con- 

 firmed by our own observation, that considering the 

 prevailing number of small fish, they do not aver- 

 age over a pound and a half each through the sea- 

 son of fishing. This remark may strike some with 

 surprise, who have told a very different story, 

 founded perhaps on their individual good success. 

 The truth is, they have degenerated not only in 

 size, but numbers, owing to various causes, un- 

 necessary to detail. 



Not less erroneous, than that which respects 

 their weight, is the opinion entertained by some, 

 that these fish were originally salmon, but being 



