FISHES Thames name for the samlets, which must have been at that time fairly plentiful. Owing to the increase of population, dredging, drainage, the use of chemical manures, and obstructions on tributaries which the salmon would otherwise ascend for spawning purposes, it does not appear probable that salmon if reintroduced will breed naturally to any extent, but the river might be kept stocked by artificial means if funds were available. In that case samlets would have to be turned in by the million, judging by similar work which has been carried on in the United States of America. It is an interesting fact that in October 1901 an ill-conditioned salmon or grilse was caught at Leigh-on-Sea. Whether this was the result of one of the smolts bred by Mr. Gilbey at Denham for the Thames Salmon Association, or was simply one of those stray salmon which from time to time are caught in the estuary of the Thames is a point which cannot possibly be decided. Sea trout are frequently being caught at Leigh and in other parts of the Thames estuary, and now and again salmon are captured. It would appear therefore that salmon are desirous of coming up the Thames, but do not find the condition of the water in the estuary to their liking. Among the new arrivals in Berkshire must be mentioned the rain- bow trout, Salmo irideus^ a most beautiful species of the salmon family which has been imported from America by way of Germany. It is difficult to speak too highly of this fish, but it has yet to be seen if it will remain in the Thames, for it certainly appears to have, if not migratory instincts, habits of wandering which carries it far afield and often to the sea. It has been known to grow to as much as 13 Ib. in weight in the course of four years, but this was in an estuary and is therefore not very remarkable having regard to the growth rate in the sea of such fish as salmon and cod. Another fish which is a newcomer so far as several waters in Berkshire are concerned is the grayling. This fish, though an old county inhabitant, is now found in the Lambourn, a tributary of the Kennet, in the Pang, and in certain portions of the Kennet where within living memory it was not known. A curious fact about this fish is that it does not seem disposed to thrive in the Thames, and though a good many hundreds have been netted out of the Kennet at Hungerford and placed in the main river, there is at present no reason to believe they are breeding there. A few fall back from the Pang into the Thames at Pangbourne and are caught by roach fishers ; but even there, with such a capital source of supply, grayling do not appear to become more numerous than they were ten or fifteen years ago. The fish of the county is undoubtedly the Thames trout. It may be said without exaggeration that the Thames grows grander trout than any river of the British Islands. The lakes of both England, Scotland and Ireland can show finer specimens, but not the rivers. The trout of the Kennet are also noted for their excellence, and below Hungerford they more closely resemble Thames trout than above that ancient town, owing to the presence of coarse fish on which they largely feed. Above 133
