A young female salmon on her first return to freshwater from the sea, smaller and less developed than a full grilse.
From Scottish/Northern English dialect, possibly from Old Norse 'gylse' or related to 'gilt' (young female of animals). Fishing term primarily used in Scotland and Northern England.
Scottish fishermen distinguished between a 'grilse' (young salmon) and a 'gilse' (young female salmon)—precision that mattered for breeding preservation, showing that sustainable fishing practices have ancient roots.
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