356 REPORT OF THE FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 



took with his fly fought well and he supposed he had a larger speckled trout on the 

 hook than the red trout proved to be when killed. As the season advances they go 

 into deep water where an occasional one may be taken b}^ using either a worm or 

 live shiner for bait. They do not roam about much while in deep water. They 

 remain at a depth until late in the fall and begin to work in shore about the same 

 time that ice forms around the edges of the lake. At this season our habitant guide 

 begins to tell us of the great numbers which he has seen cover the beds in past 

 seasons and what may be expected in a few days. This beguiling talk continues for 

 weeks until six or more weeks have passed by and comparatively few fish have been 

 seen or caught. The first year I attributed the lack of fish to the unusual season. 

 On the second year's work of investigation I concluded that the fish and the habi- 

 tant resembled each other in one respect, and that is as to being at all times very 

 delusive so far as the visiting sportsmen are concerned. When seen on the spawn- 

 ing beds the fish are exceedingly shy and the least' motion of the fisherman will 

 frighten them. When not frightened they bite eagerly at such bait as earth worms, 

 grubs from decaying wood, meat, etc. In fact, if the fisherman can see the fish 

 without being seen by them he can catch all that come near the baited hook, so 

 eager are they to bite. This was our fish cultural experience before the fish had 

 spawned. As the mircolus of Sunapee and Averill has often been described and is 

 commonly known by the name of Sunapee saibling, I cannot better describe the red 

 trout than by frequent allusion to its relative from the States. I have not fished at 

 Sunapee, N. H., but from my experience at Averill, Vt., I should regard the red 

 trout of Canada and the 5. aiircohis of Averill as having many of the same habits. 

 I do not think either fish will become educated to the demands of the fly fisherman, 

 but I regard both of these forms of red trout equally desirable to cultivate as a food 

 and game fish. The saibling of Sunapee spawns in the latter part of October and 

 the spawning period covers from six to ten days. Its Canadian relative spawns in 

 the months of November, December and January, having the same habits in this 

 respect as the brook trout of adjacent lakes, beginning somewhat later than the 

 brook trout however. The Averill saibling has never been propagated artificially 

 and its spawning season is not definitely known. In size the Canadian fish com- 

 pares favorably with the saiblings of both Sunapee and Averill. I believe the 

 Canada red trout is a form of saibling, but it still remains for the ichthyologists 

 who have access to the various forms of aiircohis both from the States and Canada, 

 to decide its exact identity and give it a name. The fry of the red trout have 

 been reared to yearlings at Mr. Simpson's hatchery. This is interesting because 

 while attempts have been made to rear the 5. aiireohis of Sunapee, I do not under- 

 stand that such attempts have ever been successful. 



