F l y F i s h i n g T r i c k s . c o m

The Brown Trout

(Salmo fario)

HISTORICAL

This is a fish of ancient lineage - the "troute" that Dame Berners, Izaak Walton and other British writers laud so highly. This fish is found in the British Isles and throughout continental Europe and was transplanted to American waters in 1882-3. The eggs were presented to Fred Mather by Baron Von Behr, a German fish culturist, and for that reason fario was once known as Von Behr or German brown trout in this country. This fish has now been extensively transplanted in American waters east of the Rockies.

DESCRIPTION

I consider fario a handsome fish, especially when taken from deep, shaded places. His velvety, dark skin then offers a pleasing contrast to his rich, red spots. In form the brown trout is slimmer than fon-tinalis and his tail is squarer. In color his back is dark, spotted with black; the dorsal fin has both black and red spots, the adipose fin being decorated with three bright red spots, while the lower fins are orange, The sides are yellow and the belly dull white.

Since the rainbow and brown trout are so extensively planted it might be well to point out the distinguishing features of each fish so that the young angler may know what he has caught:

Brook Trout - vermiculations or worm-like markings on back; scales almost invisible; mouth large, jaw extending back of eye; single patch of teeth on vomer or roof bone of mouth.

Brown Trout - no vermiculations on back; scales visible; mouth slightly smaller than brook trout; one or two rows of teeth on front and rear parts of vomer; more yellow in coloration; spots red but larger than those of fontinalis and seldom found below median line; tail square.

Rainbow Trout - no vermiculations; mouth very small; scales large; red patch or band on sides; same tooth formation on vomer as in brown trout; spots black and irregular, distributed over body and fins.

HABITAT

Like the rainbow trout, fario has shown himself suited to waters of higher temperature and less aeration than fontinalis likes. Highly carnivorous and not recommended as a stocking fish for waters where the brook trout is holding his own.

FOOD

The brown trout feeds on practically the same food as our native trouts but is more piscivorous.

BREEDING AND GROWTH

Fario is a spring spawner and his greatest value is his ability to grow fast. In England they grow but four ounces or so a year; in this country they will gain nearly a pound a year under favorable conditions. Dr. Henshall tells of two fish that weighed six pounds each at four years of age. They have been taken in this country up to sixteen pounds. In five years of the Field and Stream fishing contest the largest brown trout entry was nine pounds, one ounce or just one ounce larger than the largest brook trout. Brown trout, however, average larger in size than our native charr.

EDIBILITY

The brown trout is an excellent table fish, being the equal of the rainbow trout in this respect but not as good as fontinalis. Large specimens are inclined to be "beefy."

Gameness

There is a diversity of opinion as to the qualities of the brown trout in American waters. "The brown trout is without doubt the least attractive of all the trouts in America," says Charles Southard, and Wm. C. Harris said: "It has no angling qualities that render its presence desirable in our trout streams." On the other hand O. Warren Smith says: "There is no question in my mind that the introduced fish [meaning both rainbows and browns] are in all game points the peer of the native brook trout." Samuel Camp states: "Purely as a sporting proposition the brown trout is a decided success; in other words he puts up a good fight."

I consider the brown trout a fine fish. He is a good fighter; a high leaper and he rises more willingly to flies than any other trout; he thrives in waters not suitable for other trouts; he is handsome and good to eat. What more can we ask of a fish?

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