Page:British Reptiles, Amphibians, and Fresh-water Fishes.djvu/80

BRITISH FRESH-WATER FISHES  A Salmon. When it returns for the second time from the sea. A Keh, or Slat. A Salmon that has spawned. A Kipper. A male Salmon. A Grilse- Kelt. When the fish spawned as a Grilse. 

The Chars and Trouts belong to the same genus as the Salmon, and although a number of different kinds are now recognised as occurring in various British waters, it is impossible to include them all in this book, or to discuss the differences between them. Suffice it to say that the Salmon is well entitled to be called the King of British Fishes, for it undoubtedly affords the finest sport to the angler, and attains the largest size of any fresh- water inhabitant. It ascends rivers for the purpose of spawning, and there remains for several months. It overcomes obstacles met with during its up-river progress with amazing cleverness, leaping falls and weirs with comparative case, and never giving in until all efforts to clear the obstacle have failed. If watch is kept, the fish will be seen to make the attempt on several occasions.

It is a great sight to watch a Grilse or Salmon returning to its home- waters from the sea, as when the river is in suitable condition for the ascent to be made, great activity prevails, and a large number of big fish may be observed. During a visit I paid to the upper reaches of the beautiful North Tyne River in the Autumn of 1921, 64