Natural History of the Fishes of Massachusetts; Embracing a Practical Essay on Angling

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1833. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... TROUT AND ANGLING. The State of Massachusetts may be said to abound in that highly esteemed and well known fish, the trout, which is unrivalled, either as an object of gratification to the palate of the epicure, or as contributing to the innocent sport of the angler. Every ingenious device which has been practised in other countries to lure this wary, yet bold and voracious fish, has been adopted in this, and with equal success. In treating of them, the subject of angling is necessarily introduced, since all the works which have been published in 'England, and all well known in this country, upon fishing generally, give them a preeminence over every other, as being most worthy the pursuit of the scientific angler. In Great Britain, trout are divided and subdivided into many varieties, and it is not impossible there may be as many in this country; but as it is often difficult to settle these shades of difference, on account of the supposition that they are capable of hybridous productions, it is sufficient to know that there are but three principal varieties in this state. These are pond-trout, river or brook-trout, and sea-trout. The two former being such fish as live exclusively in fresh water, and the latter, such as live, a great part of the year, in that which is salt or brackish, ascending the streams as spring advances, and returning to their native element so soon as the spawning season is over. There are but few natural ponds or lakes in this state which contain trout, for it is that which is found in natural ponds, which we denominate pondtrout, and not the more common fish which is generally found in artificial mill-ponds, and which closely resembles such as are found in the brooks and rivers, which being flooded form the ponds. The species r...