HABITS OF TROUT.
A knowledge of the habits of trout is very essential, and this knowledge
can only be acquired by careful observation. The largest fish are
generally to be found where they can obtain the best supply of
food--such points as just below sharp bends of the stream, behind large
stones or other obstructions, at the head or tail of deep pools, and on
the margin of swift currents, or under overhanging banks; and, if you
take a good fish at any particular spot, you will probably find, a day
or two afterwards, that the next best fish in that locality has taken
the place of the one you captured. It has often occurred to me that
there are several reasons why brook trout do not thrive in the lower
part of rivers communicating with the sea. One thing is, to my mind,
very certain--they do not feel at home in salt, or even brackish, water,
and do not seek it of their own accord. Having lived many years within
sight of a point where a fresh water stream flows into salt water, I
have had perhaps exceptional opportunities of observing them, and
forming an opinion on the subject; and, although I have lately seen an
apparently well-supported contrary opinion strongly expressed, I am not
yet convinced, thinking that probably some error may have crept in as to
the kind of fish, or some disturbing cause taken place in the state of
the water. Occasionally they get washed down by floods, or by the
breaking away or uplifting of hatches or gates; but, as soon as the rush
of water subsides, they begin to work their way up again, and if there
is an obstacle to their ascending, such as a weir or mill, they are sure
to be found close up to it, having got as far as they can. They always
seem prompted by instinct to work upwards into shallow rapid water,
where the bottom is gravelly, and, I believe, for the following reasons:
They can there deposit and cover up their ova, and, when hatched, the
young fry can get protection among it from their numerous enemies in
their early days; and, although food may be plentiful in muddy sluggish
streams near salt water, it is not of the kind that trout delight in.
Larva, flies, and minnows abound in clear bright streams, and there the
trout can clean themselves from their parasites, and, with healthy
bodies and abundance of the food they enjoy, come into condition early,
and become lusty and strong.
In the breeding time they, like many other animals, lose their usual
caution and shyness, and when performing their natural functions seem to
take no notice of what is passing around them; and thus very many of the
best fish are captured in shallow water, and the streams almost
depopulated. The greatest vigilance should be exercised in the spawning
time to prevent poachers, both human and others, from preying upon them.
In addition to men, swans, ducks, otters, herons, pike, perch, &c., &c.,
all prey on the luckless trout and its ova and fry, and the wonder is
that the stock is so well maintained as it is. Otters and herons in
particular appreciate this dainty, and either of them will travel across
country many miles to get to a well-stocked trout stream. So strong is
the instinct of the trout to get into shallow streams to deposit their
spawn, that they will leap waterfalls several feet in height, or wriggle
up over gravel where there is not half enough water to cover them, and
where it is frequently impossible for them to get back again, and there
they are often destroyed.