Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1895-07-12
THE BROWN OR GERMAN TROUT.
1t Has Thriven Since It's Introduction In
American Streams.

1T Has Thriven Since Its Introduction In
American Streams.
The firsS specimens Of the Won Behr,
or brown, front 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 sentimental
Europe came reports Of the cannibalistic
/ inclinations Of these trout; how they
killed and ate other species and their
own young; how fish eggs were their
favorite diet how sluggish they were at
maturity, and how unwilling to rise at
flv. In spite Of discouraging reports
the late Professor Baird secured ship
ment Of $4,000 eggs from Germany.
About 10, 900 Of these fell 70 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 a 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 a 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 a 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 a far greater size and weight
than the S. fontinals. full grown speci-
mems sometimes reaching weight Of
80 pounds
Twelve pounds is the weight Of the
biggest vet 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 swift swimmer,
powerful and very bold in pursuit OF
prey. In its high leaps over riffs or log
| distractions il 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 at noon ii lies, seemingly
dormant. hidden under oyerhanging
banks and rocks. Like the native front,
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
tember are the best months. The fish
rise freely TO fly, small spoons, worms
and minnows and are not tickle. Unless
the river be too high or low or too
muddy or a violent storm is on you may
always depend on a fair creel Of brown
trout. They love the shadows Of over
| hanging trees and seem never 10 be at
home III an open, treeless meadow creek
They bite eagerly and must be hooked
On the instant A moments delay and
it is an empty strike. but the fish will
try for the bait again and again where
:. fontinalis would bid you a 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-havinR 3 TEN
perature not higher than so degrees T.
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 10 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 It's flesh is
firm and very digestible and nourishing,
and its favor, when insect fed, even
more delicate than that Of salmon It's
meat is a deeper red than salmon, and
being frmer keeps longer after killing.
New York Sun.