3-008-801 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Great Lake Trout, 1862. 'The Loch Awe fish are described as being very ferocious; hence their scientific name of Salmo ferox. They grow to a large size, specimens having been caught weighing upwards of twenty pounds; but the flavour is far from delicate, and the flesh is coarse and of an orange-yellow colour. The usual way of taking the great lake trout is to engage a boat, which must be rowed gently through the water; the proper bait is a small trout, with at least half a dozen hooks projecting from it, and the tackle requires to be of very great strength. This fish is distributed over many of the Scottish lochs, especially the larger and deeper ones...it roves about acting as a bully and a cannibal, preying extensively on the smaller fishes...they are extremely voracious, and have been known to be dragged for long distances...We are surprised that no effort has yet been made to cultivate our great lochs on the piscicultural system. With such a vast expanse of water as is presented by some of these lakes, and having ample river accommodation at hand, there cannot be a doubt of the success of artificial breeding, were it properly gone about, in these localities'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.