56 
THE CALIFOENIAX SALMON. 
lower or higher temperature, of the stream in which the 
ova are placed. It is an ascertained fact, that in ascending 
the rivers for the purpose of depositing their spawn, the 
fish have to pass through waters at a temperature of 76 
deg., and as few of the Victorian rivers attain to higher 
temperatures than that mentioned, there is a very strong 
probability, that our streams will prove admirably suited 
to this fish. The average size of the Californian salmon 
when full grown is about 20 lbs., but specimens have been 
caught of 40 to 50 lbs. weight. It is a handsome fish, 
having a silvery lustre even at a very young stage, which 
the Salmo salar does not attain, until it becomes a smolt. 
It has not the elegant contour of the English salmon, and 
the grain of the flesh is somewhat coarser, but it is quite 
equal to it in quality and flavour, when in prime condition, 
and the flesh is firm, sweet, rich, juicy, and high coloured. 
It also gives good sport with the artificial fly, but the most 
killing bait in fresh water is the salmon roe. In its native 
waters on the Sacramento river, a little snow falls occa- 
sionally near the sources, but the climate is mild and warm 
in summer, and very similar to that of the seaward slopes 
of our great dividing range in Giippsland, and near Cape 
Otway. 
The Californian salmon frequents bays and inlets, where 
the water is deep, and spends most of its time in the 
ocean. There are no salmon in the rivers during the 
winter months, from November to March, corresponding 
to our May to September. 
There are three ascents of this fish up the rivers each 
year. The first is in spring — corresponding to September 
and October in our climate — ^when the largest fish go up 
to spawn, which takes place at the head waters of the 
streams, in the months corresponding to January and 
February here. The adult fish all die after spawning, so 
