Roger's Angling Pages
The Brown Trout Salmon Family		Salmo trutta fario Salmonidae

The Brown Trout is well known for its beautiful appearance, the shape of its body and its coloration, and it is one of the most sought after fishes in the angling world. It is widely distributed over various parts of the world, after being introduced by fishing enthusiasts. As a result it is now resident in the whole of Europe, the Mediterranean, northern, central and southern Africa, Asia Minor, the U.S.A., New Zealand, South America and Japan. For example, Trout were imported into New Zealand from Scotland. They reverted to a migratory type, going to the sea and returning to the I streams and rivers only to breed. The Brown Trout most often inhabits the fast-flowing streams of mountain and sub-mountainous regions and sometimes even the valleys. It can adapt its coloration to the changing conditions of its environment, so that even fishes caught in the same stream and the same place differ in colour. They are very sensitive to the amount of oxygen in the water, to the water temperature and certain concentrations of pollutants. They are usually found in the vicinity of supplies of clean water .

The Sea Trout is a close relative and in fact the ancestor of the Brown Trout which has inherited its elongated, torpedo-shaped body, enabling it to live in fast-flowing waters. The head, with its massive toothed jaws stretching far behind the eyes, shows that the fish can also feed as a predator . The lower jaw, which curves sharply upwards, is a typical feature of the males as in other members of the Salmon family. The curve of the caudal-fin is noticeable in the young fishes, but disappears in the older ones. As with other members of the Salmon family, they have a skin fold between the dorsal and the caudal fin, called the soft dorsal fin.

In the upper reaches of rivers, Trout are the most commonly found fishes. Darker coloured smaller fishes are found in the cold rapid mountain streams, which flow over hard stony bottoms, down slopes, and through small woods. Trout which are 20 cm long, are considered fine sturdy specimens here. Trout can penetrate streams well above sea level (about 2,000 m), where they live alone as other species do not manage to get that far. Below the mountains, when the river begins to meander and undermines its banks, pools are formed where older and larger fishes weighing between 2 and 7 lb are found. Sometimes much heavier Trout can be caught. The weight and size of Trout, as with other species, depends on the nutritional value of the environment, so that it is common to find fishes of the same age but differing in size. Trout live to a relatively ripe old age. The discovery of a fish 49 years old has been recorded, living in a barren old well and only weighing 1 lb 13 oz. This is not typical as Trout in rich waters, such as ponds, grow considerably faster and to a greater size and weight.

The Brown Trout needs plenty of hideouts. It therefore likes rivers with large stones, overhanging banks, pools and weirs. If disturbed, it quickly disappears into its hideout, which it eventually leaves again. It often swims with its head against the current for better resistance and to see food passing by in the water. It does not thrive too well in controlled waters where it misses its hideaways and the plentiful supplies of suitable food adhering to large stones. The Brown Trout can be found several years later in the same place; it only travels upstream to the river source in order to breed. Spawning takes place from the beginning of October until December. At this time Trout look around for the mouths of tributaries to find suitable spawning grounds. After spawning they return to their local habitat. The largest Brown Trout are often reminiscent in colour of the Sea Trout, particularly in the spawning season, when their silvery sheen is dominant. When the summer is warm and long, breeding is postponed to a later date. During the act of spawning, the female lays 1,000 to 1,500 large yellow eggs. The fry hatch from the spawn after many days. In natural conditions the spawn and the fry have many enemies and only a small number survive; losses can be as great as ninety-nine per cent. Therefore fishermen do not rely on natural spawning any more and deposit small Trout, brought up in artificial Trout hatcheries into streams and rivers.

After 3 years the fish reaches a length of 20 cm in a good environment and in exceptional circumstances may exceed this. The fry is not at first particular about the extent of its environment; it is satisfied with small streams, but as it grows its needs increase, above all in food resources. Large Trout are one of its enemies as cannibalism is common in the Trout species. At first Trout feed on small larvae, fresh- water shrimps and insects, which have sunk below the water surface; later they change over to predatory ways of feeding. Of all the fishes living in their waters they like the Lamprey. Minnow, Stone Loach and Gudgeon. If the Trout enters colder lakes, ponds, dams or flooded quarries, it can quite easily adapt to the new conditions. In such places it grows to an unusual size and yearly increases of 2 to 4 lb in large fishes are not rare, particularly in areas abounding with Minnows.

The Brown Trout living in deep waters usually stays most of the day at a great depth and it is difficult to reach it by the usual angling methods; it is best to fish for it by trailing a lure at depth behind a boat. The correct fishing season starts every year in spring. The main fishing methods are fly fishing and spinning. The most successful anglers often combine these two techniques depending on local conditions. When the angler is in the water wearing waders a crucial item of his tackle is a net, which enables him to land successfully even the largest Trout. The catch is often placed in a ventilated wicker-basket, slung round the angler's waist. When playing this fish a light rod with a small casting reel, a line of 5 lb breaking strain, and various types of small metal lures, usually spinners such as the Devon Minnow and others, are suitable. Various artificial fishes, and of course small plugs can be useful.

A detailed description of the elaborate scientific technique of fly fishing employed nowadays would require a separate book. It is enough to remind beginners and anglers only accustomed to the lower reaches of rivers that wet and dry flies are both possible and that such flies can be spun or allowed to flow freely. A wet fly is commonly used when fishing with the flow of the stream using a trace with one to three hooks. When using a dry fly, it is usual to have only one hook on the trace. When fishing cautiously so as to initially attract the fish, the line is usually cast downstream and the movements of the fly attract the fish. It is often necessary to dry out a dry fly and occasionally grease it.

To choose a suitable fly, it is advisable to have a look around the river banks and find out what insects are flying about on land and over the water. An examination of in- sects swimming in the water pays further dividends. For good results a knowledge of the habitats of large Trout is crucial, although fly fishing is difficult in extremely fast-flowing water. The angler should also know that the Trout is a shy fish and inhabiting clean water, it is able to see clearly above the surface. Therefore the angler should behave accordingly.

Those who have fished successfully for Trout, will find other types of fishing difficult to get used to, as fly fishing in fast currents of crystal clear water is definitely the most exhilarating form of the sport. In conclusion it is surely unnecessary to mention the excellent quality of Trout flesh.