THE BROOK TROUT INCOGNITO
(_The "Sea Trout"_)
"I am the wiser in respect to all knowledge and the better
qualified for all fortunes for knowing that there is a minnow in
that brook."--THOREAU.
There is still considerable argument about the identification and
classification of the sea trout. Some authorities still claim the sea
trout is a distinct species; others declare it to be the brook trout,
_Salvelinus fontinalis_, that goes to sea from the fresh water ponds
and streams.
The squeteague (_vulgo_ weakfish, wheatfish, sea bass, white sea bass,
carvina, checutts, shecutts, yellowfin, drummer, bluefish, squit,
suckermang, succoteague, squitee, chickwit, gray trout, sun trout,
salmon, salmon trout, shad trout, sea trout, salt-water trout, spotted
trout, etc.) is not a trout of any sort; so this species need not be
considered in this sea trout discussion.
My personal theory concerning the sea trout is that any trout that
goes to sea is a sea trout, and that more than one species of trout go
to sea--whenever they have the opportunity.
The small-stream trout that visit the ocean do so mainly in search of
a change in food; the sea-going trout of large rivers are impelled to
leave their fresh water retreats for the ocean waters also to satisfy
a desire for new varieties of food, but more so because of an instinct
that warns them of the danger of remaining in the fresh-water rivers
during certain periods of the year--the coldest seasons when the
waters freeze to the river bottom, and in the melting time, when the
ice thaws into huge sharp-edge chunks, and the mass of ice,
swift-running water, and rocks turn the rivers into raging, roaring
floods that would cut and bruise the trout unmercifully.
Nature makes these large-river brook trout in the calm periods of
spring, summer, and autumn, and sea trout in severe winter weather and
during dangerous flood time.
The broad streams of the west coast of Newfoundland--Fishels River,
Crabs River, Big and Little Codroy Rivers, Big and Little Barachois
Rivers, and Robinson's River--afford the best evidence of trout
migrating to the sea to escape the fury of the flood, and any of the
little trout streams in any part of the world where the streams flow
into salt water will afford the student means of observing the trout's
fondness for marine excursions in search of a change of diet.
Just as the different species of trout are widely contrasting in
colors, shapes, sizes, traits, etc., while in their natural
habitat--fresh water--so are they confoundingly different in these
matters while sojourning in salt water.
The true brook trout (_Salvelinus fontinalis_) is of various shades,
shapes and sizes, these depending upon the character of the water he
inhabits. In shallow, swift streams of a light color pebble bottom
the specimens in general are likely to be thin, narrow, and of a
bright gray hue, though, of course, there are individual specimens in
this condition of water that are exceptions to the rule--a few old
specimens who have sheltered themselves for years in dark, deep,
steady spots under the protruding bank of the stream, or along the
side of a sunken tree stump, etc. This autocrat of the eddy is fat,
stocky, and dark in color, just the opposite of his younger relatives
of the swift-running part of the stream.
The brook trout of deep, still dark-bottom ponds are fatter, darker,
broader, of duller color and of slower motion than their brothers of
the rapid waters. The trout's shape, weight, size, and color are
influenced by its food, its age, its activity, its habitat, and its
habits. Its color corresponds to the color of the water bottom, and
will change as the water bottom changes. If removed to a new water,
where the bottom color is different from the bottom color of its first
abode--lighter or darker, as the case may be--it will gradually grow
to a corresponding shade, blending with its new habitat just as its
colors suited the stones and grasses and earthy materials of its
native domain.
The landlocked trout, if imprisoned in a deep, dark, muddy-bottom,
shaded woodland pool, will be dull in color, stocky in shape, and of
sluggish habits. The trout confined to a bubbling fountain pool, with
a bottom of golden sand, at the foot of a waterfall, in the full glare
of the sun, will be of albino character.
Perhaps no other fish offers specimens of its own kind so deeply in
contrast as _fontinalis_. This is scientifically and interestingly
illustrated in many ways--color, size, shape, form, action,
environment, etc. For example, consider the big, fat, long, strong,
copper-color brook trout that, having access to salt water,
gormandizes upon the multitudinous food of the sea--shrimp, killifish,
spearing, spawn, crab, etc.--and the tiny, active, silvery albinolike
brook trout that is locked in a small foamy basin under a dashing
waterfall, feeding only upon minute crustacea and the insect life that
is carried to its watery prison. These two specimens are not freakish
individuals of their species--like the blunt-nose specimen and the
various other deformities--but are quite common contrasting
representatives of their tribe.
If we were to display in a group side by side one of each of the
shape-and-color-differing specimens--one large copper-shade, sea-going
brook trout, one tiny silvery, fountain-locked brook trout, one
ordinary-environed brook trout, one blunt-nose brook trout, etc.--the
fact of their being of an identical species would be correctly
appreciated by the scientific man only.
I am not resorting to poetic license or theorizing or delving into
ancient precedents to carry my point of natural history, for I once
captured one of the big, sea-going specimens, and my friend, James
Cornell, angling in an adjacent stream the same day, brought to creel
a little silvery beauty of the foamy waterfall. Shape, form, tint,
weight--every mood and trait--were of astounding contrast in these two
specimens, yet both were of the same species, the true brook trout; my
dark, strenuous three-pounder taken in the open, brackish creek as I
cast from the salt meadowland sod banks, and Cornell's albinolike
gamester succumbing to the fly in the foamy fountain of a deep
woodland brook; both specimens widely separated in appearance, habits,
and habitat, but still both legitimate brothers of the family
_fontinalis_--little salmon of the streams.
Trout in the sea feed on shrimp, the spawn of herring, and on the
entrails of cod and other species of fishes thrown away by market
fishermen.
If the sea-going trout did not eat the spawn of the herring, herring
would be too plentiful for Nature's even-distribution arrangement. The
sea trout is gorged with herring spawn, which lies in heaps like so
much sawdust on the shores and shallow places of the ocean. Cod spawn
and milt float on the water's surface; the spawn of the herring sinks.
The sea trout fresh from the streams is plump, has bright red spots,
and is in ordinary color when it goes to sea; when it returns to the
streams, though bigger (longer) and stronger, it is comparatively
thin, and is of white or silver-sheened shade.
Prof. George Brown Goode (_American Fishes_): "The identity of the
Canadian sea trout and the brook trout is still denied by many, though
the decision of competent authorities has settled the question beyond
doubt."
Eugene McCarthy (_Familiar Fish_): "Many Anglers are now turning their
attention to catching sea trout, either on account of the novelty of
the sport or because they believe that they are taking a new variety
of fish. That there is novelty in such fishing cannot be denied, but
that the fish is new in any way certainly can be.... There is no doubt
that the sea trout and the brook trout are one and the same fish. It
is broadly claimed that any of the trout can live as well in salt
water as they can in fresh water, and everything seems to prove the
claim to be correct. All trout grow to a larger size in salt water
than in the brooks or rivers, and they lose their spots in the sea,
becoming pale and silvery in color. Brook trout were originally found
at a distance not greater than three hundred miles back from the ocean
in waters tributary to it. Where conditions of temperature were
favorable, they invariably sought salt water. When transplanted to, or
found in, inland waters, they have adapted themselves to fresh-water
conditions as well. All members of the trout family require cold water
for their habitat, averaging about 68 degrees or less. Therefore, they
must either seek the cold water of the ocean, or, if barred from that
by long stretches of warm-river waters, they must seek the cold, small
tributaries high up in the hills. While trout are found in the
highland streams south of New York as far as South Carolina, they are
not able to seek the sea on account of the warm, intervening waters.
In Long Island (N. Y.) streams all trout are sea-going. From that
point along the coast northward sea trout are rarely, if ever, found
until the northern shores of Maine and New Brunswick are reached. All
rivers flowing into the St. Lawrence as far west as Quebec, as well as
those entering the Saguenay and those of the Labrador coast, are
especially noted for most excellent sea trout fishing, and are the
favorite resorts of Anglers.... In all ways the sea trout corresponds
with the brook trout when taken in fresh water. If taken in salt
water, there will only be the variation of coloring. ... ouananiche
... and sea trout ... with the exception of salmon ... afford the
greatest sport that the Angler can find.... Exactly the same tackle is
used (for sea trout) as for ouananiche, trout, or bass, and the same
flies, both in kind and size.... When the fish begin to leave the sea
and ascend the rivers, the bright colorings not only return, but
actually appear to be more beautiful than those of the trout that
always remain in fresh water.... But little attention, comparatively
speaking, has been given to sea trout, principally because their
nature was not understood, and, in fact, but little has been said or
written in regard to them to arouse interest. The lessees of the sea
trout streams on Long Island are very enthusiastic over the fishing
they secure, as are those sportsmen who have sought it in Canada. The
Canadian rivers are now more quickly and easily reached than formerly,
and as the fish are rapidly acquiring fame they are bound to become
much sought after by Anglers. However, sea trout fishing is but
fishing for brook trout under different conditions, and amid varied
surroundings. They offer, however, two extra inducements--they are
more plentiful and usually average larger."
Charles Hallock (_Sportsman's Gazetteer_) refers to the common theory
that sea trout (Canada) are merely a clan or detachment of the brook
trout which have temporarily left their fresh-water haunts for the
sea; then Mr. Hallock asks: "But, if we must accept this as a
postulate, we must be permitted to ask why the same peculiarities do
not attach to the trout of Maine. Cape Cod, and Long Island? Why do we
not discover here this periodical midsummer advent and 'run' of six
weeks' duration; and why are only isolated individuals taken in the
salt-water pound nets and fykes of Long Island, etc., instead of
thousands, as in Canada? Moreover, the Canadian sea trout are never
taken in the small streams, but only in rivers of considerable size,
and the same trout uniformly return to the same river, just as salmon
do--at least, we infer so from the fact that six-pounders are
invariably found in the Nouvelle, and varying sizes elsewhere.
Besides, we must be able to answer why a portion only of the trout in
a given stream should periodically visit the sea at a specified time,
while an equal or greater number elect to remain behind in fresh
water; for we may suppose that, having equal opportunities, all have
the same instincts and desires."
But, trout of different localities do not have equal opportunities;
therefore, they have not the same instincts and desires. Local
conditions of Nature everywhere guide the instincts and govern the
desires of every living thing. So, the trout of Maine, the trout of
Cape Cod, the trout of Long Island--influenced by local
conditions--are all vastly different in opportunities, instincts,
desires, etc. The Eskimo biped, the African biped--the bipeds of all
countries--are all species of the animal man, but who dare suggest
that they all have equal (similar) opportunities and the same
instincts and desires?
Even individuals of the trout of one community are profoundly
separated in character from their immediate brothers and sisters.
Trout vary in their tastes and antics as they vary in color, shape,
and size. There are hundreds of natural trout flies and hundreds of
artificial trout flies, imitations of the living insects, used as
lures in fishing. Why so many patterns? Because the trout, like man,
is in love with a variety of foods at different times, and both man
and trout change in their tastes by the month, the week, the day, the
hour, and the minute.
The Angler does not have to use the hundreds of fly patterns at one
fishing, but he does experiment with a variety of the lures to find
the particular patterns the fish is responsive to at the moment. One
or two patterns would suffice--if the Angler could select the
particular species the trout are rising to without trying all the
patterns until he discovers the killing patterns. A chef might please
his master with one or two of the forty courses billed if he knew what
the man wanted. Sometimes the Angler can judge the appropriate fly to
use by observing Nature in seeing trout rise to the live fly; but
there are times when trout are not rising, times when they are tired
of the fly upon the water, and times when the real fly is not on the
wing.
General rules are of no service without a deep regard for general
conditions, local and otherwise. All trout must not be judged alike
even if they be of one species and in one little pool. Individuals of
man, though of one race and in one district, are not all alike in
their habits any more than they are in their shades, shapes, and
sizes.
The conditions of the large rivers of Newfoundland are different from
the conditions of the small streams of Maine, Long Island, and Cape
Cod; hence the differing desires of the trout in these differing
waters. There is no similarity in the quiet, tiny trout brooks of Long
Island and the broad torrential rivers of Newfoundland, and it is only
natural that the fishes of these deeply contrasting waters should be
widely separated in character--instinct, desires, color, shape, size,
etc. So I do not hesitate to express a belief that the sea trout, no
matter where we find it, is just our own fond _fontinalis_ incognito.
Between Halifax and Sydney, Nova Scotia, there are many wild sea trout
rivers where the fish have never seen a human being. Angle from the
middle of June to the end of August. In June large sea trout are
caught in salt water at the mouth of rivers on the artificial fly and
minnow bait. The best east shore sea trout streams are St. Mary's,
Muscadoboit. Tangier, Cole Harbor, Petpeswick, Quoddy, Sheet Harbor,
Moser's River, Half-way Brook, Smith Brook, Ecwon Secum, Isaac's
Harbor, and about Guysboro.
Southwest of Halifax great sea trout fishing may be had at Ingram
River, Nine Mile River, Hubley's. Indian River, and about Liverpool,
Chester, and the salmon country about Medway.
In New Brunswick beautiful and prolific sea trout waters may be
reached from the towns of New Castle (Miramichi River and
branches--May and June). Chatham (Miramichi River, Tabusintac River,
Bartibog River, Eskeldoc River), Bathhurst (Nipisguit River,
Tetagouche River, Caroquet River, Pockmouche River), and Campbellton,
in the Baie de Chaleur River, Restigouche River, and the Cascapedia.
Metapedia, Upsalquitch, Nouvelle, Escuminac rivers.
My choice of sea trout flies includes: Brown Hackle. Claret, Cinamon,
Codun, Jenny Lind, Parmachenee Belle, Montreal, Grouse, Silver Doctor.
Use sober-hued patterns in fresh water; bright patterns in salt water.
Hooks: Nos. 7 to 12.