Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1895-07-13
TIE BROWN OR GERMAN TROUT.
1t Has Thriven siace Its Introduction In
American Streams.

American Streams.
The first specimens of the Won Behr,
or brown, trout were planted about ten
years ago In New York state streams
after prolonged opposition and with
considerable misgivings on the part Of
the most enthusiastic friends Of the fish.
From their native land in continental
Europe came reports of the cannibalistio
inclinations of these trout; how they
killed and ate other species and their
own young; how fish eggs were theiH
fayorite diet; how sluggish they were at
maturity, and how unwilling to rise at
fly. In spite of discouraging reports
the late Professor Baird secured ship
ment of $4,000 eggs from Germany.
About 10, 900 of these fell to the share
Of New York state and were planted in
streams at Caledonia. The same year
some Of the fry were liberated in the
Pere Marquette river, in the far north
ern part of Michigan.
From the first the introduction OF
these trout was marked success. The
specimens caught within two years after
planting proved at least three Of the
qualities claimed for the Won Behr-
that it grew with marvellous rapidity,
throve on the food in American waters
and was quick rising, savage fighting
fish. In general shape the German trout
resembles S. fontinalis very closely, but
is not SO deep from back to belly, and
its tail is not SO square, being well
rounded at the corners. With its green
ish brown, bronzed back, boldly dotted
with black, it is handsome If not
brilliantly colored fish. One at least Of
its bad qualities seems to have been
proved-that it will in short time ex-
terminate the native brook trout from
any stream in which both are found. One
reason for this is that the Won Behr
grows to far greater size and weight
than the S. fontinalis, full grown speci-
mems sometimes reaching weight Of
80 pounds.
Twelve pounds is the weight Of the
biggest yet caught in this country
Clear, fast flowing, cool streams are
the natural haunts of this trout and pref
erably such as have their outlet in a
deep water lake. 1t is q swift swimmer,
powerful and very bold in pursuit OF
prey. In its high leaps over riffs or log
distractions it resembles the salmon,
though far less venturesome than the
latter. During the early hours of morn
ing and the twilight time all its feeding
is done, and ct noon 1t lies, seemingly
dormant, hidden under overhanging
banks and rocks. Like the native trout,
it feeds on insects and their larvae,
worms, small fish and tiny crustaceans.
From April to October the fishing sea-
son extends, and May, June and Sep
TENDER are the best months. The fish
rise freely to fly, small spoons, worms
and minnows and are not ackle. Unless
the river be too high or low or too
muddy or violent storm is on you may
always depend on q fair creel Of brown
trout. They love the shadows of over
hanging trees and seem never to be at Z
home in an open, treeless meadow creek
They bite eagerly and must be hooked
Eon The iustant moment g delay and
it Is al empty strike, but the fish viii
try for the bait again and again where
S. fontinalis would bid you scornful
farewell
For stocking preserves these trout are
growing more and more in favor each
year. In spring fed ponds and streams
running water Is best-haying tenn
perature not higher than 60 degrees F.
they are sure to thrive. They must not
be put In with the native brook trout,
but they seem to get along on good
terms with the big rainbow trout. To
show how popular the Won Behr trout
have have become in the few years since
their arrival, one has only to scan the
list Of states in which they are now
found New York, Pennsylvania, Mas.
sachusetts, Missouri, Michigan, Mary
land, Virginia, Nebraska, Wisconsin and
Colorado have streams stocked with
them and several other states are expert
menting with them. AS food fish the
Won Behr has no superior. Its flesh Is
firm and very digestible and nourishing,
and it's flavor, when insect fed, even
more delicate than that Of salmon. Its
meat is deeper red than salmon, and
being frmer keeps longer after killing.
New York Sun.