grilse

American  

[grils] / grɪls /

noun

plural

grilses,

plural

grilse

1. a young Atlantic salmon as it returns from the sea to fresh water for the first time.

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grilse British  

/ ɡrɪls /

noun

1. a young salmon that returns to fresh water after one winter in the sea

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Etymology

Origin of grilse

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English grills, grilles (plural); further origin unknown

Example Sentences

Fishermen remarked on the extreme scarcity of grilse — the youngest group of returning fish.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

Many of them returned in 1959 to give large runs of grilse to the native stream.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

At the sampling trap in the estuary of the Miramichi the count of grilse was only a fourth as large in 1959 as the year before.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

Dressed on the smallest sized grilse hook, it will on dark days and evenings, and in full water kill sea trout and large common trout in every locality.

From Blacker's Art of Fly Making, &c. Comprising Angling, & Dyeing of Colours, with Engravings of Salmon & Trout Flies by Blacker, William

He had three flies on his cast, and, because in these waters there was always the chance of hooking a grilse, he was using heavy tackle.

From Hoof and Claw by Roberts, Charles George Douglas, Sir