FISHES 505 



SEA TEOUT. 



Salmo trutta, Flem. 



This is a common fish in our larger rivers, especially in the 

 immature stage known in the Eden, and among the fishermen 

 of the Esk, as the ' Whiting.' Though no fisherman, I heard so 

 much doubt expressed as to the identity of the Esk ' Whiting,' 

 that I asked my friend, the Rev. W. Jackson, an enthusiastic 

 sportsman, to obtain the opinion of the late Dr. Day upon this 

 fish. Carefully selected specimens were sent to Dr. Day, who 

 submitted them to an elaborate examination. This resulted in 

 his convincing himself that the fishes which he dissected were 

 the young of the Sea Trout. These fishes begin to run up the 

 Esk in June, when they average four and five to a pound. 

 They continue to improve in condition until August, some fishes 

 running up to half a pound, or even a pound, each. At this 

 period of their existence * Whiting ' are highly gregarious, and 

 congregate in such shoals, when fresh-run from the sea, that the 

 bottom of the Esk at Floriston is sometimes black with them. 

 They are special favourites because they are such plucky fish, 

 fighting hard even on the top of the water. The artificial fly 

 which they like best is made of a grouse feather, with a gold 

 rim and purple hackle. Mr. H. Leavers tells me that the 

 largest Sea Trout that he has seen from the English Sol way was 

 a fish of nine pounds. 



COMMON TEOUT. 



Salmo fario, L. 



The becks and lakes of this mountainous region abound in 

 Trout, varying in size and appearance according to locality, but 

 everywhere affording sport in the loveliest and most romantic 

 spots that can be found. Even the little brook by the wayside 

 at Dale Head contains a numerous population of speckled 

 trouties, while their brethren are exceedingly plentiful in certain 

 lakes. T. Lindsay assured me that on one occasion he took 

 47 lb. weight of Trout in Wastwater Lake in a single day. It 

 must be confessed that on the occasion in question Lindsay was 



