Salmo originates from the Latin word salio "to leap". trutta orginates from the Latin word for "trout".

Other common names for the brown trout include: brownie, English brown trout, European brown trout, German brown trout, Lochleven trout, and Von Behr trout.

Brown trout occur naturally throughout Europe and Western Asia. They also can be found as far north as Finland and as far south as Northern Africa.

Brown Trout were introduced to the United States in the early 1800's. According to Dennis Britton "some say brown trout were introduced everywhere the British army went, because the officers insisted on fishing for brown trout for sport".

According to Vlad Evanoff the first brown trout were sent to this country from Germany in 1883 by Herr F. Von Behr. At that time, 80,000 brown trout eggs were sent to Fred Mather at New York's Cold Spring Harbor Hatchery on Long Island. Some of the brown trout eggs were forwarded to Caledonia hatchery at Northville, Michigan. By 1900, brown trout were found nationwide except in deep southern states.

Brown trout have a reputation for being nocturnal and able to survive in water other trout can't tolerate. This might explain why brown trout are now found in 38 of the lower 48 states.

As the name implies the brown trout is generally brown in color. The fish also has shades of green and yellow. Spots are often found on the side of the brown trout. However, few, if any, spots are found on the tail fin. Lower portions of younger brown trout are yellow in color. Males during spawning are yellowish. The inside of the mouth is white. Always be careful with the brownies mouth. The vomer, a bony structure in the roof of the mouth, has sharp teeth in a zig zag row.

Brown trout are also unique in that they are able to change their colors quite rapidly as a means of concealment. In addition, they rest on the bottom making it difficult to spot a brown trout.

Brown trout spawn in October and November. The first spawn usually occurs in their third year. Females lay their eggs in circular shaped nests called "redds". These redds are dug by the female in the gravel. The fish lays on its side and rapidly beats its tail in an up and down motion to create the redds. The males then move alongside the female and the eggs and sperm are deposited at the same time into the redd. The eggs are then buried in gravel. The eggs are then left alone. During late winter the eggs hatch and tiny fry emerge during the spring. The brown trout fry are aggressive and establish territories soon after they emerge. The fry will locate in the quite pools or shallow slow moving water. They will grow quickly and may reach 6 1/2 inches during the first year. If the temperature is optimal (50 degrees) the hatching will occur in 41 days. A ten inch female brown will spawn over 8,000 eggs.

Brown trout will grow approximately one inch per month during the summer. In the winter virtually no growth takes place. A fish weighing three pounds is probably three years old. The average life expectancy of a brown trout is six years.

Brown trout quickly find cover when there is any movement along the bank. Brown trout feed on terrestrial (grasshoppers, ants), aquatic insects, worms, crayfish, frogs, and rodents. Generally, brown trout will feed on the bottom. Larger brown trout (12 inches) will also feed on chubs,frogs, crustaceans, and other fish. . Brown trout being nocturnal feeders will often search for food at nightime, especially during the summer.

Except to move upstream to spawn, brown trout tend to stay in the same place in the river. They can be found in these stream locations thoughout the day and throughout the year. Adult brown trout are found in deeper waters and are most active at night. They are best fished at dawn or dusk.

When fishing for brown trout keep several items in mind. First, brownies that are smaller than 12 inches are "drift feeders". They feed on insects and other food drifting through the water. Larger brownies (larger than 12 inches) begin feeding on larger items. This means if they move to capture food it must be worth their while in size.

Another item to keep in mind when fishing for brownies is a study conducted in the 1980's. This study showed that brown trout will stay in the same spot throughout the year. Unless the stream changes it will stay in the same basic location. Gaining the knowledge of where these locations are will increase your fishing success.

Brown trout prefer water that is 54 to 67 degrees. They can survive a short period of time in water that is up to 81 degrees, but generally the upper lethal limit for a brown trout is 77 degrees.

The current world record for a brown trout is 40 lbs. 4 oz. from the Little Red River in Herber Springs, Arkansas, on May 9, 1992 by Howard L. Collins.