,,scotch ,,loch-,,fishing ,,by ,,black ,,palmer ,,william ,,blackwood ,,and ,,sons ,,edinburgh ,,and ,,london ,,mdccclxxxii ,all ,rights reserved ,,dedicated ,,to ,,the ,,members ,,of ,,the ,,western ,,angling ,,club ,,glasgow ,,in ,,remembrance ,,of ,,many ,,happy ,,days ,,spent ,,in ,,their ,,company ,,preface4 ,the ,author of this very practical treatise on ,scotch ,loch-,fishing desires chiefly that it may be of use to all who read it4 ,he does not pretend to have written anything new1 but to have attempted to put what he has to say in as readable a form as possible4 ,everything in the way of the history and habits of fish has been studiously avoided1 and technicalities have been used as sparingly as possible4 ,the writing of this book has afforded him much pleasure in his leisure moments1 and that pleasure would be much increased if he knew that the perusal of it would create any bond of sympathy between himself and the angling community in general4 ,this edition is interleaved with blank sheets for the reader's notes4 ,the ,author need hardly say that any suggestions addressed to the care of the publishers1 will meet with consideration in a future edition4 ,,glasgow1 ,march #ahhb4 ,,contents4 ,,chap4 ,,page ,i4 ,,introductory1 #a ,,ii4 ,,equipment1 #e ,,iii4 ,,tackle ,,and ,,accessories1 #g ,,iv4 ,,flies ,,and ,,casting-,,lines1 #ac ,v4 ,,trolling-,,tackle ,,and ,,lures1 #ba ,,vi4 ,,duties ,,of ,,boatman1 #bg ,,vii4 ,,etiquette ,,of ,,loch-,,fishing1 #cc ,,viii4 ,,casting ,,and ,,striking1 #cg ,,ix4 ,,trolling1 #db ,x4 ,,capture ,,of ,,fish1 #dh ,,xi4 ,,after ,a ,,day',s ,,fishing1 #fj ,,xii4 ,,reminiscences1 #fe ,,xiii4 ,,conclusion1 #hj ,,scotch ,,loch-,,fishing4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,,introductory4 ,we do not pretend to write or enlarge upon a new subject4 ,much has been said and written--and well said and written too--on the art of fishing2 but loch-fishing per se has been rather looked upon as a second-rate performance1 and to dispel this idea is one of the objects for which this present treatise has been written4 ,far be it from us to say anything against fishing1 lawfully practised in any form2 but many pent up in our large towns will bear us out when we say that1 on the whole1 a day's loch-fishing is the most convenient4 ,one great matter is1 that the loch-fisher is dependent on nothing but enough wind to curl the water1--and on a large loch it is very seldom that a dead calm prevails all day1--and can make his arrangements for a day1 weeks beforehand2 whereas the stream-fisher is dependent for a good take on the state of the water3 and however pleasant and easy it may be for one living near the banks of a good trout stream or river1 it is quite another matter to arrange for a day's river-fishing1 if one is looking forward to a holiday at a date some weeks ahead4 ,providence may favour the expectant angler with a good day1 and the water in order2 but experience has taught most of us that the good days are in the minority1 and that1 as is the case with our rapid running streams1--such as many of our northern streams are1--the water is either too large or too small1 unless1 as previously remarked1 you live near at hand1 and can catch it at its best4 ,a common belief in regard to loch-fishing is1 that the tyro and the experienced angler have nearly the same chance in fishing1--the one from the stern and the other from the bow of the same boat4 ,of all the absurd beliefs as to loch-fishing1 this is one of the most absurd4 ,try it4 ,give the tyro either end of the boat he likes2 give him a cast of any flies he may fancy1 or even a cast similar to those which a crack may be using2 and if he catches one for every three the other has1 he may consider himself very lucky4 ,of course there are lochs where the fish are not abundant1 and a beginner may come across as many as an older fisher2 but we speak of lochs where there are fish to be caught1 and where each has a fair chance4 ,again1 it is said that the boatman has as much to do with catching trout in a loch as the angler4 ,well1 we don't deny that4 ,in an untried loch it is necessary to have the guidance of a good boatman2 but the same argument holds good as to stream-fishing4 ,there are pools and pools1 and the experienced loch-fisher can spot a bay or promontory1 where trout are likely to be lying1 with as much certainty as his brother angler can calculate on the lie of fish in a stream4 ,then there are objections to loch-fishing on the score of expense4 ,these we are not prepared to refute2 for there is no doubt whatever that loch-fishing means money4 ,but what has made it so8 ,the same reason that makes all other things of more or less value--the common law of supply and demand4 ,time was1 and that not so long ago1 when a boatman who used to get #cs41 or at most #ds4 a-day1 now gets his #es4 or #fs41 and even at the latter figure does not think himself too well paid4 ,in the extreme north1 however1 it is still possible to get a good man for #cs4 a-day2 and we know of nothing more enjoyable than a fortnight's loch-fishing amidst magnificent scenery in some of our northern counties4 ,the expense of getting there will always be a serious matter2 but once there1 the fishing in itself is not dear4 ,the boat is usually got for nothing2 the right of fishing1 so far at least as trout are concerned1 is free2 and the man's wage and lunch are decidedly cheap4 ,but for a single day on some of our nearer lochs1--such as ,loch ,leven1 ,loch ,ard1 or ,loch ,lomond1--the expenses are heavy1 and the angler must always be the best judge as to the likelihood of the game being worth the candle4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,,equipment4 ,this will be a short chapter1 as tastes differ so very much1 that many things we might say would most probably be disregarded4 ,but as to some matters1 there can only be one opinion4 ,do not fish in light-coloured clothes2 and1 should the weather be wet1 do not wear a white macintosh coat4 ,we believe that the eyesight of a fish is the keenest sense which it possesses2 and1 more especially should the day be clear and fine1 there is no doubt that an unusual white object within range of its vision will make a fish1 which might otherwise have taken the fly1 turn tail and flee4 ,a good deal of what we hear spoken of as fish rising short1 proceeds from this cause4 ,no doubt they rise short sometimes on seeing the angler himself1 but he is much less likely to attract notice if clad in dark-hued clothing4 ,we know of nothing better for a fishing rig-out than a suit made from dark ,harris tweed--it will almost last a lifetime1 and is a warm and comfortable wear4 ,thus you will need a dark macintosh and leggings2 and a common sou'wester is1 when needed1 a very useful head-gear4 ,a pair of cloth-lined india-rubber gloves will be found desirable in early spring1 when it is quite possible that the temperature may be low enough for snow4 ,a pair of stout lacing boots1 made with uppers reaching well up the leg1 will be found best1 as they protect the feet from getting damp when going into or leaving a boat1 even though one should need to step into the water2 and if your waterproof coat is long1 as it should be1 the necessity of wearing leggings on a wet day is obviated4 ,lastly1 by all means keep the body warm1 and remember that the more careful you are of yourself1 even at the risk of being thought old wifish1 you will1 humanly speaking1 be enabled to enjoy the sport to a greater age than you might otherwise do4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,,tackle ,,and ,,accessories4 ,as this is likely to be one of the most important chapters in the book1 the reader must forgive us if we are particular--even to a fault--in describing some of the necessaries towards the full enjoyment of the pleasures of loch-fishing4 ,so much depends on our being comfortable in our enjoyments1 that we have1 perhaps1 erred on the side of luxuriance2 but to those anglers who think so1 there is nothing easier than their leaving out what they think superfluous4 ,creel1 or ,fishing-,bag4--,the creel for loch-fishing should be of the largest size made1 so as to serve for all kinds of fish2 and as the angler is always in a boat1 the difference of room occupied is of very little moment4 ,besides1 it accommodates his tackle and lunch1 and even waterproofs1 though the latter are better to be strapped on outside4 ,these creels are neatest when made in ,french basket-work2 and even the lightest of them1 with ordinary care1 will last many years1 more especially if the edges and bottom are leather-bound4 ,almost any tackle-shop will supply them plain1 or bound with leather1 as desired4 ,brass hinges and hasp will also be found great improvements4 ,the fishing-bag is of somewhat recent development1 and is very convenient2 but the objection to it is that1 unless the waterproof cloth with which it is lined be carefully washed after each day's fishing1 a nasty smell is apt to be contracted and retained4 ,though we use the bag often ourselves1 we incline for many reasons to the old-fashioned creel4 ,many loch-fishers carry along with them a square basket about #af in4 #h broad #aj deep1 which they use for carrying their tackle and lunch1 thus leaving the creel or fishing-bag free for fish alone4 ,this is a capital plan1 the only objection being that it makes another article to carry4 ,as to its usefulness there can be no doubt1 as nothing is more undesirable than having tackle and fish in one basket or bag1 even though you should have something between4 ,some anglers go the length of a luncheon-basket1 but this savours so much of the picnic that we don't approve of it4 ,landing-,net and ,gaff4--,these may be got at any tackle shop1 the only care to be exercised being in the selection of a good long handle1 and in seeing that the net be made of twine which resists the catching of hooks1 and that it be of a size capable of landing a large fish1 as the gaff leaves an ugly mark1 and should only be used when actually necessary4 ,the screw of the net-hoop and of the gaff will suit the same handle4 ,fishing-,rods4--,for loch-fishing1 it is desirable to use a rod not less than #ad feet in length1 if fishing for ordinary yellow trout2 but if for sea trout1 and the chance of a fish par excellence1 then the rod should be a couple of feet longer4 ,the angler will find that it is better to have both rods with him--the spare one being handy in case of calamity--as the extra trouble of carrying is very slight3 rods and landing-net handle can be easily tied up together with small leather straps4 ,do not have a rod that bends too freely--rather err on the other side2 because in loch-fishing you have generally wind enough to carry your flies out1 and if you do get a #c or #d pounder1 the advantage of a fairly stiff rod is apparent4 ,we prefer rods in three pieces--no hollow-butts--and made of greenheart throughout4 ,the first cost is more than for rods whose various parts are made of different woods1 but the greenheart is the cheapest rod in the end4 ,with the minimum of care1 a greenheart never gets out of order2 and a good rod of this description will be as straight at the end of a season as at the beginning4 ,avoid all fancy rods1 and do not be beguiled into buying them4 ,reels and ,lines4--,always carry a couple of reels with you1 the smaller with #fj yards of fine line1 and the larger with not less than #ajj yards of grilse line4 ,silk-and-hair lines are not very expensive1 and with a little care will last a long time4 ,they will be found the most satisfactory for all kinds of fly-work4 ,the reels which we consider best are made of bronzed metal and vulcanite3 they are light1 and stand a lot of wear4 ,when buying your rods1 get the reels fitted to them1 and see that the fit is sufficiently tight1 as nothing is more annoying than to find the ferrules loosening their hold of the reel1 and that1 perhaps1 at a most critical moment4 ,should the reels referred to not be heavy enough to balance the rods properly--and this is a matter of great importance--it may be as well to take reels made entirely of bronzed metal4 ,fly-,book4--,we are not much in favour of fly-books4 ,they are a great temptation to keeping a large stock of flies2 and in the following chapter we will show that the fewer flies one possesses the better4 ,a serious objection to a fly-book is1 that the flies get crushed in it1 and we consider a box a better receptacle2 but if the angler will have a fly-book1 one of moderate size--rather to the big size if anything--made of pig-skin leather1 and well provided with pouches for holding casting-lines1 as well as the usual receptacles for flies1 will be found best4 ,these books are to be had in great variety at any wholesale tackle warehouse2 and taste goes a long way in non-essentials4 ,beyond the articles mentioned1 the angler should always have at hand the following3-- ,spring balance1 weighing up to #bj lb4 ,small screw-driver4 ,small gimlet4 ,small bottle clockmaker's oil4 ,bottle varnish4 ,carriage-lamp1 and candles to fit1 for travelling4 ,two packs playing-cards4 ,good-sized flask4 ,flat glass or horn drinking-cup4 ,pocket-scissors4 ,the kind that shut up will be found very useful4 ,corkscrew4 ,hank of medium gut for emergencies4 ,fine silk thread and resin4 ,some common thin twine for tying joints of rod together4 ,also articles named in ,chapter ,v41 p4 #ba1 under ,trolling-,tackle and ,lures4 ,many of these things may be considered quite de trop2 but the longer one fishes1 the more one finds out that the little luxuries give a vast amount of enjoyment for the small amount of foresight required to have them at hand when wanted4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,,flies ,,and ,,casting-,,lines4 ,flies4--,here we shall no doubt come into conflict with many opinions1 and most probably meet with the most criticism4 ,however1 as all we have written1 and mean to write1 is the result of actual experience1 we may be pardoned for being somewhat dogmatic on the subject in hand4 ,in the first place1 don't keep a large stock of flies4 ,if going for a day's fishing1 buy as many as you think you'll need1 and no more4 ,buy them of different sizes2 and if you get a few each time you go for an outing1 you will be astonished how soon a spare stock accumulates4 ,ascertain carefully beforehand the size suitable to the loch--the kinds are not of so much importance--and once you have made up a cast1 in which operation there is no harm in taking your boatman's suggestions1 do not change1 unless it be to put on a smaller or larger size according to the wind1 or unless it is conclusively proved that other flies are raising trout when yours cannot4 ,of course1 if you are going for a fortnight's fishing1 you will require to lay in a fair stock2 but even then get as few as you think you can possibly do with4 ,do not run any risk of running short1 and do not place yourself in the position of needing to use old casts3 that is poor economy in the long-run4 ,the following is1 we think1 a fair list for a fortnight's sport in an out-of-the-way place3-- ,half-dozen harelugs4 red and teal4 orange and mallard4 green and woodcock4 black spiders with red tips1 commonly called ,zulus4 red spiders1 hackle taken well down the hook4 ,march ,browns1 which1 though supposed to come out in ,march1 are really capital flies at any time4 yellow body with cinnamon wings and golden-pheasant tip4 dark harelug body1 mallard wing and red tip4 ,this is a splendid spring fly4 ,these we would get dressed on ,loch ,leven size--any fly-dresser knows what that means2 but perhaps the better way would be to get a quarter dozen of each dressed on that size1 and a quarter dozen of each on a hook two sizes larger4 ,the patterns in a tackle-maker's book are endless1 but for the most part are modifications or combinations of the flies we have named2 and the angler will soon discover for himself that flies and old half-used casts1 and often casts made up in the humour of the moment1 and never used at all1 accumulate upon him so rapidly that he is glad to find some enthusiastic boatman to bestow them upon4 ,it is needless to add1 that a gift of this kind is usually very much appreciated by the recipient4 ,tinsel is a very useful adjunct to a fly1 and should always be employed in those used in loch-fishing4 ,if variety is wanted in colouring1 the least tip of ,berlin or pig's wool of the desired shade will be found very effective4 ,get your flies dressed on ,limerick-bend hooks1 as the iron1 should it chance not to be the best tempered in the world1 is not so liable to snap as the round bend4 ,the wings of the fly should be dressed so as to be distinctly apart both in the water and out of it1 thus-- ,illustration ,it gives the fly a much more life-like appearance1 and makes it swim better in the water4 ,when you give orders for flies1 see that they are dressed up to your instructions1 as it is quite certain you will fish with much more confidence when you have faith in what you are using4 ,do not have them dressed on too fine gut1 as they are apt to get twisted round the casting-line 7usually called riding the line71 and put you to the trouble of straightening them out every few minutes4 ,these remarks may seem trifling2 but trifles are very irritating in most pursuits1 and the gentle art is no exception4 ,flies suitable for salmon and sea-trout fishing on almost any loch will be supplied at any shop in the trade on asking for ,loch ,lomond patterns4 ,these patterns are well-known1 and are without exception as fine flies as one could wish for4 ,they are usually made very full in the body1 and dressed with heron's hackle4 ,the varieties are red and teal1 green and teal1 orange and mallard1 or turkey1 and a few variations of these1--sometimes a yellow tip to the red and green bodies1 or a red tip to the yellow2 but a cast composed of red or green and teal with orange and mallard is unsurpassable4 ,for this class of fishing1 the flies should be dressed with loops1 and the bob should be fixed to the casting-line by means of a small strand of gut4 ,two flies on a cast are quite sufficient when big fish are expected4 ,we can hardly advise the angler to try fly-dressing on his own account4 ,it is hardly worth his while1 as flies are to be had very reasonably from any respectable tackle-maker2 and they are much better dressed in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred than any amateur performance4 99 99 99 99 99 ,casting-,lines4--,provide yourself with half a dozen each1 of different thickness--that is1 fine1 medium1 and stout1 the latter for salmon and sea-trout fishing4 ,that quantity should suffice for a fortnight's outing1 even making allowance for breakage1 and leave you some over for another time3 but in this matter it is better to run no risk of being short4 ,the gut should be stained a light tea colour1 or the faintest blue3 it can be bought so4 ,there is no occasion for them being more than three yards long1 as we cannot advocate fishing with more than three flies at a time4 ,if three flies are properly placed on a line1 and the line be properly handled in the casting1 they will cover as much water as any number of flies4 ,besides1 there is far less chance of a fankle1 to use a most expressive ,scotch word1 than when four or more flies are used4 ,in this1 however1 chacun son got1--we are only giving an opinion after trying both ways4 ,in making up a cast of flies1 have no loops of any kind1 excepting the one by which the cast is attached to your silk-and-hair line4 ,the water-knot is so simple and neat1 that it is the best for the purpose of fixing on the tail-fly1 which1 by the way1 should be the heaviest of those you are about to use1 if there is any difference between them4 ,in case our readers don't know the water-knot1 we give an illustration which explains itself-- ,illustration ,the loops are pulled tight1 and then the fly and the line are drawn in opposite directions1 the result being that the knots formed by the loops meet and make a firm1 and at the same time an almost imperceptible1 joining4 ,you then clip off any ends that may remain4 ,so much for the tail fly4 ,the putting on of the other two is simplicity itself4 ,you take the strand of gut on which the next fly you purpose affixing is dressed1 and laying it along the main line1 taking care to have the hook lying in the reverse direction from the tail fly1 you tie it into the line a yard from the fly already attached4 ,in tying it in1 leave the hook hanging about two and a half inches from the line4 ,the third1 or bob fly1 is attached in like manner1 and thus your cast of flies is completed4 ,the only objection to this method of making up a cast is1 that once the middle and bob flies are tied in1 they cannot be used again4 ,this is quite true2 but the keen angler will submit to the little extra expense on this score for the gratification which the sight of a really neat cast will afford him4 ,the system of suspending hooks by loops1 especially when using fine tackle1 is almost entirely exploded4 ,we should have said that previous to use1 all gut should be soaked1 and the longer the better4 ,it is a good plan to let it soak over night1 and make up your cast in the morning4 ,when gut is thus thoroughly wet1 it is wonderful how easy it is of manipulation4 ,on the other hand1 dry gut is very brittle1 and will break on the slightest provocation4 ,fix the cast and silk-and-hair line together1 having previously made a single knot on the end of the latter1 as illustrated below-- ,illustration ,it is prudent to have a second cast ready in case of breakage1 as nothing is more annoying than losing time making up one in the boat1 and that most probably when the trout are rising4 ,experience is a great teacher2 and it is wonderful how soon the angler learns the value of every moment1 and seeks beforehand1 so far as human foresight can go1 to provide for all contingencies4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,,trolling-,,tackle ,,and ,,lures4 ,do not troll at all if you can get fishing with the fly2 and under no circumstances troll for trout in the very early part of the season1 when they are more or less in a kelty state1 and take an artificial or other minnow very keenly4 ,true1 you may catch fish1 but it is a most unsportsmanlike proceeding to take fish not in fair condition2 and if you1 sir1 who read this book1 are not a sportsman1 you had better stop here1 for it was compiled by a sportsman for sportsmen4 ,there are some miserable pot-hunters who want to kill anything that swims--be it clean or unclean2 but with them we have nothing whatever to do4 ,but fair trolling is quite legitimate1 and in many cases it is absolutely imperative to troll if a basket is to be made at all4 ,some days the fly is of no use--either owing to a calm1 or to a bright sky2 and a well-managed trolling-line or two is then the only resort1 unless one stops fishing altogether4 ,and if big trout and ferox are wanted1 nothing succeeds--indeed nothing will succeed1 except very occasionally--but trolling1 either with artificial or natural bait4 ,so to be complete you must have the requisite tackle1 and we will tell you what is necessary1 both for small and large fish1 in as few words as we possibly can4 ,a ,,rod specially adapted for trolling is almost a necessity1 as it is a great strain upon an ordinary fly-rod to have the weight of #cj or #dj yards of line upon it3 even a good rod is apt to get an ugly bend from such treatment4 ,the rod for trolling need not be long--#ab to #ad feet is quite sufficient--but it must be stiff2 and we consider that the rings through which the line is led ought to be large and fixed--that is1 standing out permanently from the wood1 called by the trade upright rings4 ,a spare top will be supplied along with it4 ,the ,,reel should be of the largest description1 and may be got as strong as possible1 lightness being no recommendation to one used exclusively for trolling4 ,the ,,line ought to be at least #ajj yards long--#abj for choice--and this suffices for any kind of fish4 ,the material best adapted for trolling is oiled silk-and-hair4 ,there is a kind of line1 made in ,america1 we believe1 which is admirably adapted for the purpose4 ,it is strong as wire-rope1 and does not kink under any circumstances--which latter is a consideration1 as sometimes a paltry trout may come on1 and you have only to haul him in hand-over-hand without running the risk of your line getting into a mess4 ,this saves the trouble and waste of time in reeling up many yards of line every time a smout comes on4 ,the line to which we refer is somewhat expensive1 but will be found to be cheap in the long-run4 ,an ordinary silk-and-hair line does well enough1 but is apt to twist sadly if the minnow is not spinning properly1 besides the trouble it entails after a day's fishing of laying out two or three score yards for drying4 ,the troller will require to provide himself with ,,minnow ,,traces4 ,these do not require to be more than two yards in length1 but in ordering them take care that the swivels are sufficiently large to insure the minnow--natural or artificial--spinning nicely4 ,the angler can easily procure swivels and make traces for himself2 but he will find in this1 as in most things connected with fishing1 that he cannot compete with the tackle-maker1 so we advise him to get them made up at a good warehouse4 ,retail tackle-makers charge long prices1 but in most large towns there are warehouses which are specially suited for a customer trade1 thus saving the user a long intermediate profit4 ,this is as it should be4 ,the thickness of the gut used for trolling should of course be regulated1 as in fly-fishing1 by the size of fish you expect to catch1 and a few traces made of gimp for pike and ferox should always be in the troller's stock4 ,by the way1 and in case we forget to mention it afterwards1 always be provided with some split swan shot1 to be used in case of a very clear day1 when it is desirable to sink line and minnow below the surface4 ,also be provided with tackle--some mounted on gut and some on gimp--for spinning natural minnow2 and we know of none better or more deadly for this purpose than that of which an illustration is given on next page4 ,it is very simple1 and seldom misses anything4 ,illustration ,the large hook is put in at the mouth of the minnow1 and the point brought out at a little above the tail--thus giving the minnow the proper curve for spinning4 ,one of the smaller hooks is put through both lips of the lure1 to close the mouth and to keep the bait in proper position1 while the other is left to spin4 ,some advocate the use of par-tail as a spinning bait2 but as it is not right to kill par at all1 we omit any directions for its use4 ,we have drifted into the subject of ,,lures almost unconsciously4 ,if you wish to use natural minnows1 see that they are neither too large nor too small--about two inches long is a good size--and that the belly is silvery4 ,it is better to instruct your boatman to have a supply ready against your arrival at the loch1 as sometimes it is as difficult to catch minnows as to catch any other fish4 ,however1 we believe that the want of them is so well supplied by the phantom minnow1 that little or no harm is done though they are not to be had4 ,and when the handling and bother of using live bait is taken into consideration1 we think that most folks will prefer the artificial lure4 ,the phantom we consider the very best of all the imitations2 and the troller should have them in different colours and sizes1 from ,nos4 #a to #g4 ,the hooks attached to the larger sizes should be mounted on gimp1 as in trolling for large fish--and especially for salmo ferox--no risk should be run of the mountings giving way4 ,tin boxes1 divided into compartments1 for holding the minnows1 are very convenient1 and are to be had at most tackle shops4 ,a spoon-bait is also a splendid deception1 and should not be awanting4 ,a tackle-maker's catalogue will tell the reader of many other spinners2 but if he cannot catch fish of all kinds with either a natural or phantom minnow or a spoon1 it is not the fault of the lure2 and he may try anything else he fancies1 and come no better speed4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,,duties ,,of ,,boatman4 ,very little requires to be said in this chapter regarding boatmen1 as when the angler gets into the habit of frequenting certain lochs1 he soon finds out for himself the steady reliable men in the neighbourhood1 and can generally engage one of them beforehand by writing to the hotel at which he means to put up4 ,but in going to a new fishing-ground1 he is better to leave himself in the hands of the landlord of the hotel1 and if not satisfied with his first day's experience of the man who accompanied him1 let him change4 ,a good boatman is a treasure2 and though we are decidedly against the system of tipping indiscriminately1 we say1 when you get a good man1 pay him liberally4 ,we know of some men with whom it is a pleasure to be out all day1 and whose company1 in its own way1 is most enjoyable4 ,keen sportsmen these are1 and the capture or loss of a fish is a source of true pleasure or pain4 ,other men one comes across seem but to row the boat1 and nothing more2 and an unproductive day in such company is something to be looked back upon with horror4 ,the leading qualification of a boatman of the right sort is a strong sympathy with the angler1 which enables him almost instinctively to help the angler to cover every inch of likely water with his flies1 and makes him experience the sensation of expecting a rise every cast2 in other words1 he almost puts the fly into the fish's mouth4 ,with such a man1 instructions regarding the management of the boat are superfluous2 but as it often happens that you do not get a first-rate hand1 you have to take matters into your own hands to some extent2 and we shall give you a few hints as to what is best to be done under such circumstances4 ,it is hardly to be supposed that your man is in ignorance of the best ground1 either from experience or hearsay1 and it is only after you get there that our instructions can possibly come into operation4 ,if you are obliged to take a perfect greenhorn1 we know of no other course than to order him to keep in the wake of some other boat1 but that at such a distance as not to be offensive4 7,see next chapter on the ,etiquette of ,loch-fishing47 ,but let us assume that you get on to ground where fish are3 the first point is to see that everything is in order1 all unnecessary articles put out of the way1 and the landing-net and gaff conveniently at hand4 ,we ought to have said that a large stone in the bow is useful1 not only to balance the boat and make her drift better1 but also as a weight to which a rope may be attached1 and thus let over the side to the depth of a few feet1 to prevent her drifting too rapidly should there happen to be a heavy breeze on4 ,the next thing is to get the boat properly broadside to the wind1 so that you may have next to no trouble in casting4 ,should a fish be hooked1 see that the man keeps working the boat in such a manner that the fish cannot possibly get underneath3 a single stroke of the oar in the proper direction is generally all that is necessary4 ,you must also judge from the size of the fish1 and the length and strength of your tackle1 whether it is expedient that the man should follow the fish if he makes a very long run4 ,if your line happens to be short--which it will not be1 if you have followed the instructions given in ,chapter ,,iii4--you need not be surprised if you find nothing left but your rod and reel1 your line1 and mayhap a half-croon flee flying about the loch in charge of a fish4 ,the management of the landing-net or gaff is another serious matter4 ,if the fish be small1 tell the man to have the net ready1 and run it in2 but if it is a good-sized fish1 you must tell him not to put the net near till he gets the word from you4 ,many a time we have suppressed an exclamation--the reverse of a blessing--when we have seen the hoop of the landing-net strike the fish1 and were in suspense for a second or two as to whether he was on or off4 ,if the gaff is necessary1 it is almost as well to let your man hold the rod after you have tired the fish thoroughly1 and gaff him yourself4 ,but if you think it unadvisable to part with the rod1 send the man to the other end of the boat from yourself1 and then lead the fish near him1 so that he may have a fair chance4 ,he must put the gaff over the fish till the point is in a line with its broadside1 and then with a sudden jerk sink the steel into1 or even through1 the animal1 and lift him over the gunwale with all possible speed4 ,a sharp blow or two on the snout will deprive the fish of life4 ,always kill your fish1--big or small1--as nothing ought to be more repulsive to a true sportsman than to see or hear any animal he has captured dying by inches4 ,it is perhaps needless to say that in the matter of lunch and drink1 due consideration should always be paid to your boatman's wants2 indeed if he has had a hard time of it rowing against a stiff breeze1 nothing is lost by landing at mid-day and letting him enjoy half an hour's rest and a smoke after he has refreshed his inner man4 ,sometimes--such as in a club competition--such luxuries must be denied2 but even then he can put you on to a square drift1 and enjoy his lunch and smoke while you are fishing2 and you1 on the other hand1 can take yours when he is changing ground4 ,these remarks may seem trifling2 but we only give you our experience1 when we say that on some lochs where good boatmen are not plentiful1 the angler who has shown most kindness and consideration on past occasions is never much put about for want of a man1 even in a busy season4 ,and we have known1 when every regular boatman was engaged1 that there was generally a boatman's friend in the neighbourhood who was pressed into our service1 and that often at a few minutes' notice4 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,,etiquette ,,of ,,loch-,,fishing4 ,politeness is politeness all the world over1 and in loch-fishing it is particularly to be practised4 ,the gentle art is peculiarly adapted for gentlemen1--using the word in its truest sense1--and the true angler will never be mistaken for anything else4 ,in the ,club to which we have the honour to belong1 there are certain rules which would commend themselves naturally to any one of us2 but in order that these may be clear and well defined1 they are circulated annually1 and are in themselves so admirable that we cannot do better than quote them3-- #a4 ,no boat shall be entitled to take position in front of any other boat which shall have already begun drifting1 at a less distance than three hundred yards4 #b4 ,any competitor intending to drift a bay already in possession of another competitor shall be obliged to take position behind1 or on the outside of and in a line with the latter1 but at such a distance as not to interfere with the boat first in possession of the drift4 #c4 ,in cases where boats are changing water1 it shall not be admissible for any boat so doing to go between the shore and any other boat drifting close thereon4 ,these rules1 as may be inferred1 refer to club competitions in particular1 but they are made the standard upon all occasions where there is any chance of their becoming applicable4 ,so much indeed have we got into the way of regarding these rules1--strict as they are1--that we observe them even when meeting with strangers on any loch in any part of the kingdom4 ,and pay special attention1 if you happen to be trolling in the neighbourhood1 never to interfere with the drift on which a fly-fisher is engaged4 ,nothing is more unbecoming1 as it disturbs the water which is his by right1 if he has begun to drift2 and it is an unwritten rule that the fly-fisher should generally be allowed the first of the ground1 as his style of fishing does not make the same commotion as a trolling boat and tackle do4 ,very few of us but have experienced the annoyance of a minnow-boat crossing our drift when we were fly-fishing2 and though we had no redress1 and could make no remarks without lowering ourselves to the level of our offenders1 we have1 like the nigger's parrot1 thought a mighty lot4 ,do not hesitate to put yourself out of your way to help a neighbour in distress4 ,he may have hooked a large fish and be unprovided with a gaff3 if you have one let him have it instantly1 taking his directions from which side you are to approach him2 and never let the loss of a few minutes1 more or less1 deter you from following the golden rule of doing to him as you would expect him to do to you were you similarly placed4 ,and1 as it sometimes happens where boats are scarce and anglers many1 when you are in the same boat with a stranger1 see that you confine yourself strictly to your own share of the water1 not making casts which endanger fankling for the mere sake of covering a little more water with your flies4 ,should you have a fly that is taking better than any other of your own or his1 offer him one2 and in general try to make the day's fishing one as much for the cultivation of goodwill and the promotion of good-fellowship as for the mere sake of making a basket4 ,a churlish angler is an unnatural phenomenon1 and1 thank ,providence6 they seldom turn up4 ,a man who can look upon the beautiful scenery amid which he takes his pleasure1--and there is none finer in the world than our ,scottish lochs and their surroundings1--and not feel grateful to the ,giver of all good1 and at peace with all mankind1 ought to burn his rod1 singe his flies1 and only associate with men like himself4 ,if the introduction of this chapter into our book will have the effect of creating a better understanding on the etiquette of loch-fishing between brothers of the angle1 the object for which it was written will have been accomplished--and1 let us hope1 a large amount of goodwill thereby promoted4 ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,,casting ,,and ,,striking4 ,we shall treat this subject under two aspects3 first1 if you have the whole boat to yourself2 and second1 if it is being shared by some one else4 ,if you have a boat to yourself1 stand as near the centre of it as you possibly can without interfering with the boatman in rowing1 and cover every inch of the water in front of you and as far to the sides as the wind will permit4 ,always be careful how you cast--that is1 every time you throw your flies see that they land lightly on the water1 as no one can expect to raise fish if any splash is made by either line or flies4 ,fine casting is not quite so essential1 of course1 when a fair breeze is blowing2 but if the wind be light1 then the difference between a well-thrown fly and the reverse is very apparent4 ,after you have made a satisfactory cast1 draw the line slowly to you by raising the point of the rod1 taking care to keep the line as taut as possible4 ,also see that your bob-fly is tripping on the surface1 as we consider that a well-managed bob is the most life-like of the whole lot4 ,do not fish with too long a line1 unless1 indeed1 on an exceptional occasion1 when you wish to reach the lie of a feeding fish4 ,it is difficult to define a long line1 but a good general rule is that it should never be longer than when you have the consciousness that1 if a fish should rise1 you have him at a fair and instantaneous striking distance4 ,remember that the time the flies first touch the water after each cast is the most deadly2 therefore1 cast often4 ,if you have only the share of a boat1 the rule is that one man takes the stern up till lunch1 and the other after it4 ,for ourselves1 we have a preference for the bow1 and we generally find that most anglers prefer the luxury of the stern2 so when both parties are pleased1 there is no occasion for changing at all4 ,the most important thing to bear in mind when you have a companion is1 as we said in last chapter1 to confine yourself to your own water4 ,if the left-hand cast is the one proper to your end of the boat1 cast as much to your right hand as you can without infringing on your neighbour's share of the water3 all the water to your left hand is of course yours4 ,the same remarks apply vice versa4 ,never stop casting so long as you are on fishable ground1 for you know not the moment a good fish may rise4 ,certain it is that unless you keep your flies constantly going1 you cannot expect to have the same basket as the angler who does4 ,keep your eyes on your flies in a general way1 and do not let your attention be distracted so long as they are in the water4 ,every angler has experienced the annoyance of missing fish when looking elsewhere for a single moment--either at another boat1 or at a fish rising to itself1 or at the sky1 or at something else4 ,when the eyes were turned to the point from which they should not have been diverted1 they were just in time to see the water swirl1 and the hand gave a futile strike at what had disappeared a second before4 ,perhaps we should have said at the beginning of this chapter to place implicit faith in the flies with which you are fishing4 ,nothing is more ridiculous than whipping the water with a cast1 of the suitableness of which you have any doubt2 and to guard against any such chance1 study carefully the state of the weather and the wind4 ,if very clear1 use sombre flies2 but if a dark day1 use brighter flies4 ,you will of course regulate the size according to the breeze1 but as a rule1 err on the side of small flies4 ,when you raise a fish1 strike at once4 ,it is quite possible that by this method you may once in a while strike the least bit too soon1 but it is a safe plan to go by4 ,there is always a particle of a moment spent in the tightening of the line2 and by the time the angler sees a fish at his flies1 he may safely conclude that it has already seized or missed them1 and the sooner he ascertains the true state of matters by striking instantaneously1 the better4 ,if the fish has not been touched by line or hook1 cast gently over him again3 the chances are that there will be another rise1 and1 if the fish has been feeding1 every likelihood that the second or even a third time may be lucky4 ,in striking small fish1 the least tightening of the line is sufficient2 but with large fish1 when your tackle and hooks are strong1 strike firmly home to send the steel well in1 right over the barb4 ,tackle that will not stand this had better be given away or destroyed1--the latter for choice4 ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,,trolling4 ,our readers will have guessed1 from what has preceded this chapter1 that we don't believe in trolling if it can be avoided2 but still there are times and occasions on which it must be practised1 and we plead guilty to having gone in for it oftener than once1 when we saw that fly-fishing was useless4 ,on the other hand1 however1 we have set out with a firm determination to do a fair day's trolling1--and nothing but trolling1--but somehow or another it has generally ended in fly-fishing when we could1 and trolling as a dernier ressort when we could not4 ,this1 we doubt not1 has been the experience of many of our angling friends to whom the mere killing of fish is a secondary consideration compared with the enjoyment of real sport4 ,but when trolling is the order of the day1 either from choice or necessity1 then this is the way to go about it4 ,we assume1 of course1 that the angler is equipped with tackle and lines specified in ,chapter ,v41 and that he has a supply also of live minnows with him4 ,the elaborate tin-cans for holding minnows are quite unnecessary so far as loch-fishing is concerned2 any ordinary vessel will do well enough for a day1 provided the water is changed now and again4 ,in trolling1 two rods will be found ample4 ,they should be placed at right angles to the boat1--the thowl-pin1 or1 if there is not one near enough the stern1 anything 7a cheap gimlet answers admirably7 fixed into the gunwale1 being sufficient to keep the rod in position1--so that the spinners1 of whatever kind they may be1 will be as far apart from each other as possible4 ,take care that the butts of the rods are well at the bottom of the boat1 as we have seen a rod not sufficiently fixed go overboard before now4 ,a main point in trolling is to have plenty of line out4 ,there should never be less than thirty yards out from one rod1 and not less that forty from the other4 ,by this means1 should a fish not see the first lure1 he may see the second4 ,if trolling with natural minnow1 which is much more apt to get out of order than artificial ones1 see that the bait is intact and spinning properly4 ,this involves the trouble of hauling it in for examination now and then2 but it is better to be at that trouble than be fishing with1 mayhap1 a mangled lure1 or one that has got out of spinning order1 and more likely to act as a repellent than an attraction to any fish in the neighbourhood4 ,in trolling any likely ground1 the proper way is to tell your man to zigzag it1 not pulling the boat in a straight line1 but going over the ground diagonally1 and thus covering as much of it as it is possible to do with a couple score yards of line behind4 ,the turning of the boat necessitates a considerable circle being taken to keep the lures spinning1 and so that the lines do not get mixed up2 and your man1 after making the turn1 should row in a slightly slanting direction towards the point from which he originally started1 thus-- ,illustration and so on1 till the chances of raising a fish on that beat are exhausted4 ,should a small fish come on1 haul it in hand-over-hand2 and the man must not stop rowing1 as the other minnow is out1 and must be kept spinning4 ,if1 however1 a fish that needs playing comes to you1 you must seize the rod to which he has come1 and the boatman must take the other1 and wind in as fast as possible4 ,you should not commence winding in till the other line is wound up so far as to preclude the chance of the fish mixing up both lines together4 ,barring the risk one runs of a serious mess1 it is not a bad plan to troll from a reel a cast of larger-sized flies than would be used in ordinary fly-fishing4 ,this line follows1 of course1 in a straight track behind the boat1 and the minnows being considerably to right and left of it1 there is no danger of their getting mixed so long as the boat is moving2 but the risk is apparent should a fish come to either of the three lines1 and great activity is then necessary on the part of yourself and boatman to keep things right4 ,you must keep the fish at as considerable a distance from the other lines as you can1 and trust a good deal to the chances of war for the ultimate safety of all4 ,some days1 even when casting was unproductive1 we have been fortunate in securing fish by trolling our flies in the manner described4 ,indeed1 unless the day or the season is decidedly in favour of trolling minnows1 we prefer1 if only trolling two lines1 to troll from one of them with the minnow1 and from the other with the fly4 ,this must always be decided1 however1 by the judgment of the angler1 and by his surroundings for the time being4 ,one thing in favour of trolling with the minnow is1 that the best size of fish are caught by that means4 ,this is not invariably the case1 but it is the rule4 ,and in concluding this chapter1 we must not omit to acknowledge that we are glad to know that when we are not so young as we once were1 and when the wielding of a rod all day long shall have come to be a serious matter1 we shall still have the pleasure of roaming about our lovely lochs--,highland or ,lowland--and have the excitement of landing fish1 coupled with our enjoyment of fresh air and grand scenery4 ,for this reason1 if for no other1 cultivate as often as you can1 without entrenching on the nobler pastime of fly-fishing1 the art of trolling--for we must confess that there is an art in this as in everything else2 and should my reader be sceptical on the point1 he has only to try conclusions1 when he gets the chance1 with some old troller1 and he will be convinced before supper-time4 ,,chapter ,x4 ,,capture ,,of ,,fish4 ,scotch loch-fishing1 as usually practised1 only embraces the capture of the salmo species--that is1 the salmo fario1 or common yellow trout2 the salmo trutta1 or sea-trout2 and salmo salar1 the fish1 as most boatmen call it1 and the noblest game of the finny creation4 ,besides these there is1 of course1 the salmo ferox2 but it is comparatively scarce1 and only worth trolling for in some particular lochs1 where they are known to be more easily come across than in others4 ,and sometimes when worthier game is not to be had1 we have a spin for pike1 but ,mr ,jack is as difficult to catch at times as his more aristocratic comrades4 ,in most ,scotch lochs where any supervision is exercised at the instance of our local clubs1 the extermination of pike is most vigorously carried on by means of fixed and splash nets4 ,this1 as regards our large lochs1 where there is room for all1 we have no hesitation in saying is a mistake1 as it shuts up one means of enjoying a day's fishing when nothing else in the way of fish is to be had2 and it must be borne in mind that there are some older anglers1 to whom a whole day's fly-fishing is a labour1 who never object1 when trolling1 to come across a pike3 and no wonder1 for a pike of #aj lb4 and upwards gives some fair play1 though by no means to compare with what a fish of the salmo tribe of that weight would give4 ,then we have perch in abundance1 and splendid eels2 but as these need a float and bait to catch them1 we dismiss them as quite infra dig4 ,true a perch will come at a minnow1 and we have sometimes seen them take a fly2 but they are generally voted a nuisance1 and expelled the boat4 ,as regards the capture of fish1 we shall proceed to deal with each in order2 and at the outset we remark1 that when you have hooked a fish1 it is a safe general rule to waste no unnecessary time in bringing him to the landing-net or gaff1 and thence into the boat4 ,when playing a fish1 never allow the line to get slack1 unless1 indeed1 when he leaps into the air1--then you must give him rope2 but so soon as he gets into his native element1 feel his mouth instantly4 ,always play your fish to windward of the boat if there is some one sharing it with you1 as this allows him to go on casting to leeward4 ,of course1 if you have the whole boat to yourself1 play your fish in any way that it will be most expeditiously brought to basket4 ,the angler ought to be well assured of the strength of his tackle1 and when he has confidence in that1 he will soon learn to judge of the proper strain to which it may be subjected4 ,in the case of ,,common ,,yellow ,,trout1 averaging1 as most loch trout do1 about three to the pound1 there is no occasion to put off time with any one of them2 but in some lochs1 such as ,loch ,leven1 where the average is fairly one pound1 and where two and three pounders are by no means uncommon1 some care and a little play are absolutely necessary4 ,but do not1 even in such a case1 give him too much of his own way4 ,we can assure our readers that a three-pound ,loch ,leven trout1 in good condition1 on fine gut and small irons1 gives as nice a piece of play1 and exercise to the eye1 hand1 and judgment1 as could well be desired4 ,the ,,sea-,,trout is1 for his size1 the gamest of all fish4 ,he is bold as a lion1 and fights harder for his life than a salmon twice his size4 ,a fish of three pounds will run out a considerable piece of line1 and make a splendid leap1 or series of leaps1--and then is the trying time4 ,as often as not1 your flies and the fish part company in the air1 and you have to sit down muttering curses not loud but deep1 till an application to the flask soothes your wounded spirit1 and invigorates you for fresh effort4 ,a beautiful sight it is to see a sea-trout rise4 ,no half-hearted attempt is his1 but a determined rush for the fly1 and down again like thought1 leaving you the tiniest part of a moment to strike1 and hardly time to admire his beautiful silvery coat4 ,if you have been fortunate enough to get the steel into him1 you will have time to admire him when you get him into the boat4 ,fishing for sea-trout with the fly is1 we consider1 the most exciting of all kinds of fishing--that is1 if the fish run to a fair average weight4 ,but we are sorry to say that lochs where it is to be enjoyed are1 with the solitary exception of ,loch ,lomond1 usually far out of ordinary reach1--and in the case of ,loch ,lomond1 it is only habitus who usually come much speed on it2 but once the angler gets a fair day there1 he finds his way back often4 ,true1 there are some excellent sea-trout lochs in the north1 and on the west coast and islands1 but they are a far cry from civilisation4 ,nevertheless1 if our readers can spare the time1 let them find their way into some unfrequented spot where sea-trout are plentiful1 and they will agree with us in thinking that that class of fishing is a most excellent sport4 ,some parts of ,ireland are famous for their fine sea-trout fishing--white trout they call them there2 and though we have never been there ourselves1 we mean to go some day1 when the ,land ,bill has pacified the natives1 and made them law-abiding subjects4 ,meantime one runs the risk of being mistaken for a non-resident landlord1 and that would be a pity for one's wife and family4 ,but without any joking1 this ,irish sea-trout fishing is a pleasure to which we look forward2 and in this work-a-day world1 something to look forward to is half the enjoyment of life4 ,the capture of the ,,salmon is the ambition of all anglers1 but we doubt very much if the sport is to compare with ordinary loch or sea-trout fishing1 provided always that the latter are of good average weight4 ,the tackle used in salmon-fishing is proportionately heavy1 and after the first few rushes1 if the fish be well hooked1 there is little in it except a matter of time4 ,indeed it is said that some anglers1 after hooking a salmon1 hand the rod to a gillie to work and land the fish4 ,this seems going too much in the other direction1 but it is quite understandable4 ,true1 the size to which salmon run is a great inducement to go after them2 but even in ,loch ,tay1 where the biggest average is to be found1 the sport1 if such it can be called at all1 is very questionable4 ,the rod1 line1 gut1 and minnows used are on such a strong scale1 that a well-sized vessel might be moored with them without their breaking2 and with several scores of yards of line ready for a rush1 what earthly chance has the fish of escape1 unless through the grossest carelessness8 ,the fish may be loosely hooked1 and get off1 but this is quite a matter of chance1 and the odds are that a hungry spring fish will not miss the lure4 ,thus the charm of salmon-fishing is in the raising and striking2 and of all kinds of striking1 the striking of the salmon is the most difficult3 the fish being so large and silvery1 the angler is certain to see him coming at the fly1 and is very apt to strike too soon4 ,but if it is borne in mind to strike after the broken water is visible1 and not before it1 this will soon be overcome4 ,when you do strike1 don't let it be a mere tightening of the line1 as in trout-fishing1 but a decided stroke4 ,some say that the salmon will hook himself by his own weight4 ,this may be so1 though we doubt it1--but don't trust to it4 ,certain it is1 that the first rush of a fish does not usually fix him certain2 and should the hook happen to be in a piece of hard gristle or on a bone1 you will soon find this out for yourself1 but generally at the cost of the fish4 ,salmon-fishing is an expensive luxury2 but if you can get it good1 never mind the expense1 but give it a trial4 ,if you get good sport1 you may not care to go in for smaller game again2 but in all our experience we never knew a salmon fisher who did not enjoy trout-fishing as much in its own way as ever he did that of the nobler animal4 ,there is something in the gossamer gut and small flies irresistibly attractive to all sportsmen1 and from which no amount of salmon-fishing can ever wean them4 ,the salmo ferox is a fish on which many opinions have been expressed2 and we have heard more than one old boatman say that he did not believe it to be anything but a big loch-trout1 as1 they ask1 ,who ever saw a young one8 ,we see the young of all other fish1 but why do we never come across a young ferox8 ,it seems pertinent enough questioning1 and we do not pretend to settle their doubts in either one way or another4 ,certain it is1 he is a big strong fish with some features distinct from the ordinary loch trout1 and that when caught he shows an amount of fight not to be equalled by any of his neighbours1 either white or brown4 ,he is usually caught by trolling either natural or artificial minnow2 and the tackle should be mounted on gimp and fixed to a strong line1 and plenty of it4 ,we have read of a ferox rising to the fly1 but never saw one so captured4 ,there seems no reason why a gaudy fly should not attract him4 ,after he is hooked the fun begins4 ,a ferox of #aj to #ab lb4 will give you amusement and excitement for an indefinite time2 and you are never sure of him till he is in the boat4 ,a friend of ours 7a capital angler to boot7 fishing with us on ,loch ,assynt in ,sutherlandshire in #ahgg1 hooked a fine specimen2 and after battling with him for an hour1 had the mortification of seeing fish1 angel-minnow1 and trace1 disappear6 ,a good boatman is a wonderful help in such a case2 indeed without his help your chances are small4 ,to be sure it is slow work trolling for feroces1 and a whole day--yea1 days--may be spent without getting a run4 ,the angler must always be the best judge as to whether the chance is worth his while4 ,loch ,awe1 ,loch ,ericht1 ,loch ,rannoch1 and ,loch ,assynt1 are good lochs for trying one's luck in this kind of fishing4 ,then to come from the nobler to an inferior species1 we get to ,,pike fishing4 ,angling for this fish seems to be in great repute among our southern brethren1 if we may judge by the literature on the subject2 but somehow or other it is looked upon among our northern anglers with somewhat the same aversion that a ,jew has to bacon1 and fishing for pike is only resorted to when all chance of catching anything worthier is gone4 ,we don't profess to say whence this antipathy arises2 but we have heard stories from boatmen about the foul feeding of pike that makes the idea of eating him repulsive4 ,not but that we have eaten him1 but we never did so with relish1 however cunningly the artiste may have served him up4 ,as a stock for soup he is good2 but in ,scotland it is better not to say what the origin of the stock is till your friends are at their caf noir4 ,but here we are only interested so far as the sport he gives is concerned2 and unless the pike be all the larger--say not under #h lb4--the sport is poor enough4 ,even a pike of #h lb4 and over1 when hooked 7which is done by trolling or casting a minnow and working it after the manner of a fly71 makes one or two long pulls1 not rushes like a fish of the salmo tribe2 and after that he subsides into a sulk from which you must trust to the strength of your tackle to arouse him4 ,the tackle should be mounted on gimp1 for his teeth are very sharp2 and when removing the lure from his mouth1 you will find it much safer to have previously put the foot-spar between his jaws to prevent him getting at your fingers4 ,there is a fly1 if such it can be called1 used in pike-fishing4 ,this fly resembles a natural insect as much as a tea-pot resembles an elephant1 but it does attract pike--in the same way1 we suppose1 that a piece of red flannel will attract a mackerel4 ,if our readers wish to try it1 they can buy it at almost any tackle shop4 ,pike are to be found in almost all lochs1 though in the more frequented of our ,scotch waters they are being slowly but surely exterminated4 ,in others1 again1 they reign almost alone4 ,but pike-fishing by itself is a poor affair1 and we advise our readers only to take to it when they can do nought better4 ,if any of them wish to go below the level of pike-fishing1 we must refer them to the copious instructions of many books1 from ,isaak ,walton downwards4 ,for ourselves1 when it comes to bait-fishing--except in running water1 when worm-fishing is an art--we prefer catching whitings and haddocks in some of our beautiful salt-water lochs1 to all the perch1 roach1 chub1 and such-like1 that ever swam4 ,but in this please note that we are only expressing our own opinion1 and with all respect to the opinions of many worthy anglers4 ,we may say this1 however1 with all safety1 that in angling1 as in most other things1 if one aims at the highest point of the art he is not at all likely to condescend to the lowest4 ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,,after ,a ,,day',s ,,fishing4 ,what a pleasant fatigue succeeds a day's fishing6 ,there is not1 or should not be1 a feeling of weariness1 but just the satisfaction one feels after enjoying a health-giving recreation4 ,health-giving it certainly is to the body1 and we have no hesitation in saying to the mind also4 ,it makes one forget for the time being all the evils to which flesh is heir1 and braces up the whole system to meet them when the necessity arises4 ,but we must not go in for more sentiment than is actually needful4 ,the practical duties after a day's fishing are these4 ,if the weather has been damp1 change all wet garments at once1 and if at all practicable have a hot bath before sitting down to dinner4 ,we say dinner advisedly1 for the angler should always have a good sound dinner after a day's fishing1 as however pleasant the work may have been1 still it is exhausting to the body1 and a rough tea1 though good in itself1 cannot pretend to have the reviving elements in it that a substantial dinner has4 ,a glass of whisky1 or even two1 in cold water1 will be found a very safe accompaniment4 ,a good plan is to order your whisky by the bottle1 and put your card in a nick made in the cork3 the ordering of whisky in glasses is expensive and unsatisfactory4 ,your dinner over1 turn your attention to your tackle4 ,unwind your lines1 so far as they have been wet1 from the reels1 and lay them out on your bedroom floor2 if any chance of being interfered with1 wind them round the backs of chairs instead4 ,they will be dry by the morning4 ,dry your reels thoroughly1 and put in a little oil wherever you think they would be the better of it2 and this should be done to any other article--spring-balance1 gaff1 c4--that is liable to rust4 ,your creel or fishing-bag should be washed out and hung up to dry by the servants of the house immediately after the fish have been removed1 which latter should be done without delay4 ,your landing-net should also be suspended in the open air1 that it may get dry as speedily as possible4 ,a landing-net will last double the time if attention is given to it in this way4 ,take out all used casting-lines from your book1 and lay them on the mantelpiece till morning3 this will insure the feathers being freed from moisture4 ,and in the case of expensive flies1 this is a matter of consideration1 both on the point of expense as well as your possible inability to replace them where you may happen to be sojourning for the time4 ,if you mean to make up a new cast or casts for the morrow1 place the casting-lines in a little water in your basin4 ,they will be in excellent order next morning for manipulation4 ,also soak in like manner the gut on which the flies which you mean to use are dressed4 ,true1 you may not be sure what flies you will put on till you see what sort of a day it may prove to be1 but there is no harm done if you soak the gut 7but only the gut7 of as many flies as will give you a good choice4 ,we should have said nearer the beginning of this chapter to look well after your waterproofs1 that they are not hung up in a hot place4 ,a dry room or outhouse where there is a good draught is best4 ,if your fishing should happen to be over for the time being1 put your tackle past 7after being thoroughly dried7 in the most orderly fashion possible4 ,for our own part1 we have the drawer in our bookcase spaced out into compartments suitable for holding all our tackle1 barring reels and such like2 and this arrangement we find extremely useful1 and wonderfully convenient when we wish to find anything4 ,if1 on the other hand1 you are out on a lengthy holiday1 and have time at your disposal1 after putting things right for the day1 and for next day too1 we know of nothing better than a good rubber at whist for filling up the evening4 ,it must be a good rubber1 however1 for the parlour game is neither relaxation nor pleasure4 ,hence we would advise all our angling friends to acquire a thorough knowledge of the game1 as only to be learned with the aid of a good book on the subject4 ,remember that when staying at some out-of-the-way fishing hotel1 you may be asked to form a table with good players1 and not to be able to hold your own on such occasions is a great loss of pleasure to yourself1 and usually a source of annoyance to the others4 ,these remarks are somewhat apart from the subject of this book1 but by way of an aside1 they may be found not quite out of place4 ,do not be beguiled into keeping late hours1 for no one can fish well next day if he has not had a sufficient amount of sleep4 ,but this is also an aside2 for some men need more sleep than others1 and each angler knows his own necessities best4 ,we only promulgate the broad rule1 that without proper rest no one can be in good trim with hand and eye for a pastime that needs both in a pre-eminent degree4 ,we speak from experience in this too2 and have sometimes imagined that our right hand had lost its cunning till we remembered that we had not been properly rested the night before4 ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,,reminiscences4 ,having exhausted1 so far as we can imagine1 the practical part of our little treatise1 we proceed--in accordance with an idea which we had in our minds at starting--to give a few personal recollections1 and to name one or two lochs where we have enjoyed good sport1 and where it is still to be had for the trouble of going4 ,reminiscences are1 as a rule1 not specially interesting to the general reader1 hence we shall not make them too lengthy2 for we wish1 above all things1 that our readers shall close this volume without experiencing a shadow of weariness4 ,one thing1 however1 we would like to say to our younger angling friends--,have as many personal adventures to look back to as you possibly can4 ,the adventures themselves can be best sought after when the blood flows fast2 for the time will come when the rod and the tackle will perforce have to be laid aside1 and memory will then1 unaided1 afford you many a pleasant retrospect1 and you will--even companionless--fight your battles over again4 ,you remember the story of the illustrious ,prince ,talleyrand3 when a young man acknowledged to him that he could not play whist1 ,talleyrand said to him--,young man1 what a sad old age you are preparing for yourself6 ,we don't mean to go this length as regards fishing2 but we safely say that a man who lives to old age without having been a keen angler1 has not only deprived himself of great enjoyments during his active life1 but has neglected to lay up a provision for the time when the memory of them would have made life's closing seasons sweeter4 ,our first acquaintance with ,,loch ,,ard was very pleasant--not1 perhaps1 so much from any great expectation of sport1 because at that time 7many years ago now7 we were young at the pastime1 but more from the feeling of treading the ground made classical by the great ,magician of the ,north1 as the scene of the most stirring incidents in ',rob ,roy4' ,attached to a big tree in front of the hotel at ,aberfoyle there hangs a coulter1 which tradition assigns as the veritable article which ,bailie ,nicol ,jarvie made red-hot and used as a weapon of offence and defence when he was in a dilemma in what was1 at that time1 a very inaccessible part of the ,highlands4 ,since then many a ,glasgow magistrate has visited the spot--the inspection of the line of the noble waterworks undertaking which supplies the city being a sufficient excuse for the annual advent of the civic rulers4 ,a railway station 7,bucklyvie7 is within eight miles of ,aberfoyle1 and ,aberfoyle is within three miles of ,loch ,ard1 and by the time this book is in the hand of the reader there will most likely be a railway station at ,aberfoyle itself4 ,shade of ,bailie ,nicol ,jarvie6 what would you say if you were now to be allowed to haunt the old spot8 to hear a locomotive screech where formerly you thought yourself so far frae the ,sautmarket o' ,glesca8 ,we don't like the idea ourselves1 and doubt very much if it will pay4 ,however1 it is the fishing alone which concerns us meantime1 and we can at once assure our angling friends that the sport is good--not but what one has to fish hard for a basket2 but the same remark applies to all our near-at-hand lochs4 ,on an ordinary good day a dozen to eighteen trout may be captured1 and sometimes the baskets are heavier2 but eighteen fish1 weighing #i lb4 to #ab lb41 is a very fair day's work4 ,the trout average fairly a half pound1 and pounders are by no means scarce3 a two-pounder is come across occasionally1 but he is the exception4 ,the fish are very pretty1 and for their size give excellent sport4 ,fine tackle is here absolutely essential to success1 and as a matter of sport should always be used in fishing for common yellow trout4 ,the loch1 for its size1 is much fished2 and we fear that when the railway facilities are completed1 there will require to be a considerable amount of restocking to keep it up to the old mark4 ,the scenery is unsurpassed--wood1 water1 and mountain1 making a picture of wondrous beauty4 ,to the north of the loch1 ,ben ,lomond rears its mighty summit2 and in the spring-time 7for ,loch ,ard is an early loch71 before the summer sun has melted the winter's snow1 the effect is grand in the extreme4 ,april1 ,may1 and ,june1 are supposed to be the best months for angling2 but we see no reason why1 if the weather be favourable1 these months should be singled out4 ,the hotel accommodation at ,aberfoyle is excellent4 ,in the early months you must engage a boat beforehand3 boatmen first-rate4 ,many a happy day we have spent on ,loch ,ard--sometimes successful and sometimes much the reverse2 but in any case there is a witchery about the place that makes one enjoy himself in spite of all cares4 ,mind and body recruit their jaded energies1 and get braced up to meet the stern realities of life4 ,in strong contradistinction1 in this respect1 to ,loch ,ard1 is ,,loch ,,leven4 ,in the latter1 if the angler is not catching fish1 there is little of the beautiful to commend itself to the senses4 ,the island on which the castle stands is pretty1 and as a historic ruin is well worthy of a visit1 but otherwise the scenery is very tame1 and the surroundings not entrancing4 ,but since we have drifted into speaking of ,loch ,leven1 we may as well tell of the sport which is to be had there1--and this1 as is well known1 is exceptionally good4 ,the quality of the fish is wonderful2 and after reading the statistics of a year's fishing--last season something like #ah1jjj fish1 weighing as many pounds1 were killed--one is puzzled to know how it is kept up4 ,the loch itself is a great natural feeding-pond1 miles and miles of it being of an almost uniform depth1 and a boat may drift almost anywhere1 the angler feeling at the same time certain that fish are in his immediate vicinity4 ,trout of two and three pounds are quite common2 and it is a rare occasion that a day's average does not come up to the pound for each fish4 ,they are very fine eating1 and cut red as a grilse4 ,the company which rents the loch pay #hjj to #ajjj for the fishing1 and they in turn keep a fleet of large boats--twenty we think--and let them out to anglers at the rate of #bs4 #f;d4 an hour4 ,any number may fish from one boat4 ,there are two boatmen in each boat1--one of whom is paid by the company1 the other by the angler2 and we are sorry to say that these men1 with a few exceptions1 are very much spoiled4 ,there is a class of anglers787 who frequent ,loch ,leven1 whose whole aim seems to be1 not sport so far as their own personal efforts are concerned1 but the killing of as many fish as possible4 ,if such a one has engaged a boat1 he arms each boatman with a rod1 and1 of course1 fishes himself1 thus having three rods going at once4 ,as we said before1 the loch can be drifted without any attention from the men1 after they have pulled up to the wind1 and this enables them to get casting all the time that their employer is doing likewise4 ,not content with this1 a couple of minnows are generally trolled astern when changing ground4 ,we don't say that a man has not a right to do as he likes if he pays for his boat2 but we do ask1 ,is this sport8 ,and why should boatmen be spoiled in this way to such an extent that we have known them sulk a whole day because a spare rod was not allowed to be put up for their special benefit8 ,but1 of course1 the men are just as they have been made1 and true anglers1 who fish for a day's sport1 and not for the mere sake of slaughter1 have the remedy in their own hands4 ,don't let anything deter you from fishing ,loch ,leven4 ,it may be expensive2 but if you get a good1 or even a fair day1 you will not regret the expense4 ,get a friend to join you1 and the expense is not so heavy after all2 and if your friend and yourself fish perseveringly all day1 you will usually be rewarded with a very fine show of fish4 ,there is no harm in letting your men fish when you are taking your lunch1 but don't allow a third rod to be put up4 ,the boatmen are1 as a rule1 only fifth-rate fishers1 though1 of course1 a few of them handle a rod well4 ,our recollections of ,loch ,leven are pleasant in some ways1 in others they are not2 but don't fail to give it a trial1 if only for the pleasure of handling a big fish on fine gut4 ,the manager of the ,loch ,leven fishings1 ,captain ,hall1 fills a very difficult post with much acceptance to all concerned4 ,but to leave the ,lowlands and go into the far ,north1 we take you to ,,loch ,,assynt1 in ,sutherlandshire1 and to a little loch near it1--,,loch ,,awe by name4 ,the journey to ,assynt is long and weary3 train to ,lairg1 and then between thirty and forty miles driving1 is a good long scamper for fishing1 but it is worth it4 ,the inn at ,inchnadamph is good1 but when we were there in #ahgg the boat accommodation was poor enough3 perhaps they have improved upon that since4 ,the first day after our arrival we had to go to ,loch ,awe1 as the boats on the large loch 7,assynt7 were taken up4 ,such a morning of rain and wind6 ,we were wet through our waterproofs during the four-mile drive1 but luckily the weather moderated1 and we had an excellent day's fishing4 ,with two in the boat1 we took #eg lb4 weight of beautiful fish1--not large1 but very game1 and spotted intensely red4 ,it must have been a good day1 for many an angler tried his luck after our success1 but never came near that mark1 at least when we were there4 ,loch ,assynt is more attractive1 however1 inasmuch as the chances of big fish are not remote4 ,trout of a pound weight1 and over1 are not uncommon1 while the chance of a grilse adds excitement to the sport4 ,then ferox1 as we have said in a previous chapter1 are1 comparatively speaking1 not scarce1 if one cares to go in for trolling for them4 ,but1 in any case1 the angler is always sure of a basket of lovely yellow trout4 ,on the hills behind the inn there is a small loch1 called the ,,mulach-,,corrie1 in which it is said that the gillaroo trout are to be found4 ,whether they are the real trout of that species or not1 we cannot say1 but certainly they are beautiful fish1--pink in the scales1 and running to large sizes4 ,we saw a basket taken by a friend1 and it was a treat to look at4 ,the fish were all taken with the fly1 but we were told afterwards that worm is even deadlier than fly1 and that one should never go there without a supply of wrigglers4 ,the hill between the inn and the ,mulach-,corrie is a perfect paradise for fern-gatherers4 ,it is said that about two dozen different kinds can be gathered2 and we believe it1 for even our untutored eyes discerned sixteen varieties6 ,our visit to ,inchnadamph must be placed among the red-letter periods of our fishing life1 and to be looked back to with much enjoyment4 ,,loch ,,morar1 in ,inverness-shire1 is another delightful spot1 and somewhat out of the usual track4 ,the fishing is most excellent1 and yellow trout of all sizes are very abundant4 ,sea-trout and salmon find their way frequently into the angler's basket2 and half-way up the loch1 which is a long one1 at a bay into which the ,meoble river flows1 numbers of sea-fish are to be found4 ,the best way is to fly-fish up to that bay one day1 and seek shelter at night in some shepherd's cottage1 thus being at hand to prosecute salmon and sea-trout fishing the next day1 or days1 if you find the sport good4 ,it is right to take a supply of provisions and liquor with you1 for the accommodation is humble4 ,we write this from hearsay1 as when we were there in mid-,july salmon and sea-trout were not in the loch in large numbers2 but still we caught some of the latter1 and hooked1 though1 unfortunately1 did not kill1 any of the former4 ,we should think that the beginning of ,august would be the best time for this loch as regards sea-fish2 but the trout-fishing in ,july is unsurpassable4 ,during our sojourn in #ahgf at ,arisaig1 the nearest village to the loch1 which is six miles off1 and necessitating a drive over what was then a road sadly in need of ,general ,wade's good offices1 we had the services of a boatman1 ,angus by name1 and his two boys1 who could not speak a word of ,english1--,angus managing one boat1 and his boys the other4 ,we had the satisfaction--for indeed it was good fun--to be out with the boys one day2 and the management of the boat had to be done by signals4 ,it was wonderful how readily the boys got into the way of it1 and how well we got on together4 ,the memory of the hospitality which we enjoyed at ,arisaig ,inn will not be forgotten by any of our party2 and we hope that the then occupier1 ,mr ,routledge1 will be there when we go back again4 ,an inn was in course of being built at the loch-side in #ahgf1 but we do not know how it has succeeded4 ,the easiest way to ,arisaig is by steamer1 which usually goes once a-week2 but the angler should1 if possible1 go to ,banavie or ,fort-,william1--the latter for choice1 as ,banavie ,hotel is famous for long bills 7and we can testify that its notoriety in this respect is deserved71--and then drive to ,arisaig4 ,it is about thirty-eight miles from ,fort-,william to ,arisaig1 but the drive is something to be remembered during a lifetime4 ,after having traversed this road1 you will say1 ,there's no place like home for grand and beautiful scenery4 ,we must see ,loch ,morar again if we possibly can1 before we bequeath our tackle to the next generation4 ,the time would fail us to tell of many other lochs1 more or less famous for the good sport they afford2 but the angler1 if at all of an enterprising nature1 need have little hesitation in taking up ,mr ,lyall's excellent ',sportsman's ,guide1' and making a selection on his own account4 ,the information is very correct so far as we have tried it1 sometimes--perhaps most anglers are inclined that way--erring a little to the couleur de rose side of things1 but quite trustworthy in being followed as a suggester for a fortnight's fishing4 ,we have gained much pleasure in exploring some of our more remote lochs1 of the existence of which we might never have been aware but for its information4 ,we cannot1 however1 close this long1 but we hope not wearisome1 chapter without singing the praises of our ,queen of ,scottish ,lakes1 ,,loch ,,lomond4 ,the scenery of this beautiful spot is well known in some ways1 but no amount of travelling in a steamer will reveal its beauties4 ,to the tourist we would say1 take a small boat at ,luss and engage a man to row you among the islands which lie between ,luss and ,balmaha4 ,with this hint to the tourist1 we leave him1 and turn the angler's attention to the sport--very precarious at most times1 but excellent at others--to be had on ,loch ,lomond4 ,luss is the angling centre1 and there are capital boats and men to be had by writing beforehand to the hotel-keeper1 ,mr ,m',nab1 who deserves much credit for the attention he pays to the wants of anglers4 ,the yellow-trout fishing is good1 but1 strange to say1 this class of sport is not much sought after4 ,in ,april and ,may as good trout-fishing is to be had as on some other lochs that enjoy a greater reputation4 ,but if the weather has been at all favourable to the fish running1 the month of ,june sees the sea-trout fishing fairly commenced4 ,it is a hard loch to fish2 and if you are lucky enough to get two or three sea-trout in a day1 consider yourself fortunate4 ,they are a good average--#b lb4 to #c lb4 being quite common--but they spread themselves so much over a large portion of water that one may fish a whole day and not come across them4 ,this1 however1 is the exception1 as in an ordinary fair fishing day in ,june1 ,july1 ,august1 and ,september1 and even ,october if the weather is mild1 they are almost certain to be seen1 if not caught4 ,some days really good sport is to be had--indeed1 one is surprised at the show of fish2 but fish or no fish1 the charm of ,loch ,lomond is everlasting4 ,the angler finds his way back over and over again1 till1 as in our own experience1 the islands of ,lonaig1 ,moan1 ,cruin1 ,fad1 and last and least1 ,darroch1 the great landing-spot1 are as familiar to him as his daily business haunts4 ,then the chances of a salmon are good--indeed1 this year 7#ahha7 a great many have been killed2 but somehow or another the sea-trout fishing has not been so good1 and though a salmon is always a salmon1 we would rather see a good show of sea-trout at any time4 ,like our neighbours1 we have had good and bad days on ,loch ,lomond2 but disappointment has never soured us--indeed1 the fascination seems to get stronger4 ,and it is so very convenient for a day's fishing--down in the morning and home at night1 with a good long day between4 ,the charge for boatman is #es4 to #fs4 and lunch2 and though this seems high1 it must not be forgotten that the distances are great4 ,a boat costs #bs4 per day4 ,the men are good all over1 some of them really first-rate4 ,many and many a story we could tell of happy fishing days1 and of days most enjoyably spent when fishing was no go2 but mostly every angler can do the same1 and we don't wish to become too tiresome4 ,perhaps if we get the chance we may extend this chapter on some future occasion1 and add some experiences of as yet untried places4 ,,chapter ,,xiii4 ,,conclusion4 ,brother of the gentle art1 we bid you farewell6 ,we have done our best to give you the benefit of our experience in the peaceful pursuit of loch-fishing2 and if we have said too much or too little1 pray excuse us1 and in your goodness of heart reprove us for our verbosity1 and tell us what is awanting4 ,the spirit on our part has been very willing2 but the memory may have been defective when it should have been most active1 and quite possibly our love for the art may have somewhere or another led us into discursiveness where we should have been brief4 ,we are all human1 and he is a poor mortal who thinks he cannot err4 ,again we say farewell6--not for long1 however1 we hope4 ,who knows where we may meet8 ,if we do1 and you recognise us1 don't forget to give us a little encouragement1 and1 if you can1 new material for extending the usefulness of this publication4 ,as we write1 the hand of winter is upon us1 and the rod and reel have been relegated to safe quarters2 but spring will return1 and the enforced cessation of our enjoyment will only add new zest to the music of the reel ,when green leaves come again4 ,,printed ,,by ,,william ,,blackwood ,,and ,,sons4 ,,lately ,,published1 ,,fifth ,,edition1 ,,revised4 ,,the ,,moor ,,and ,,the ,,loch4 ,,containing ,,minute ,,instructions ,,in ,,all ,,highland ,,sports1 ,,with ,,wanderings ,,over ,,crag ,,and ,,corrie1 ,,flood ,,and ,,fell4 ,,by ,,john ,,colquhoun4 #b vols4 post #hvo1 with ,two ,portraits and other ,illustrations4 #bfs4 ,,some ,,opinions ,,of ,,the ,,press4 ,in the present delightful volumes1 however1 he presents all lovers of ,scotland with the completest details of every ,highland sport1 on all of which he is an unexceptionable authority2 and with what many will value even more1 a series of life-like sketches of the rarer and more interesting animals of the country4 ,he has thus brought up to the present level of knowledge the history of all the scarce birds and beasts of ,scotland4444 ,henceforth it must necessarily find a place in the knapsack of every ,northern tourist who is fond of our wild creatures1 and is simply indispensable in every ,scotch shooting-lodge4--,academy4 ,we should recommend fishers to study carefully all the chapters on fishing for salmon1 loch trout1 sea trout1 and yellow trout1 whatever may be their experience or erudition4 ,they will find general hints of immense use which they can apply to that local knowledge of their own river or 'water' which no books can teach1 and which ,mr ,colquhoun himself would equally have to learn4 ,but no chapter ought to be skipped1 even by a reader who aspires to far less than the fourfold distinction of a ,highland hunter1 which consists in killing a red-deer1 an eagle1 a salmon1 and a seal4--,saturday ,review4 ,the book is one written by a gentleman for gentlemen1 healthy in tone1 earnest in purpose1 and as fresh1 breezy1 and life-giving as the mountain air of the hills amongst which the sport it chronicles is carried on4--,the ,world4 ,one of those rare and delightful books which1 with all the fulness of knowledge1 breathe the very freshness of the country1 and either console you in your city confinement1 or make you sigh to be away1 according to the humour in which you happen to read it4--,blackwood's ,magazine4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,lately ,,published4 ,a ,,handbook ,,of ,,deer-,,stalking4 ,,by ,,alexander ,,macrae1 ,late ,forester to ,lord ,henry ,bentinck4 ,,with ,,introduction ,,by ,,horatio ,,ross1 ,,esq4 ,fcap4 #hvo1 with ,two ,photos4 from ,life4 #cs4 #f;d4 ,a work not only useful to sportsmen1 but highly entertaining to the general reader4--,united ,service ,gazette4 ,the writer of this valuable little book speaks with authority1 and sums up in a few pages hints on deer-stalking which the experience of a lifetime has enabled him to put forth4444 ,we can only recommend every one who pursues the fascinating sport of which the author writes1 to glance through1 and indeed to read carefully1 this handbook4--,sporting and ,dramatic ,news4 ,an interesting little book1 alike because of the knowledge which its author displays of his subject1 and of the simple style in which it is written4 ,it is a handbook such as sportsmen must have long desired4--,scotsman4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,recreations ,,of ,,christopher ,,north4 ,with ,portrait of the ,author in his ,sporting ,jacket4 ,new ,edition4 ,two ,vols41 crown #hvo1 #hs4 ,welcome1 right welcome1 ,christopher ,north2 we cordially greet thee in thy new dress1 thou genial and hearty old man1 whose ',ambrosian ,nights' have so often in imagination transported us from solitude to the social circle1 and whose vivid pictures of flood and fell1 of loch and glen1 have carried us in thought from the smoke1 din1 and pent-up opulence of ,london1 to the rushing stream or tranquil tarn of those mountain-ranges4--,times4 99 99 99 99 99 ,w4 ,,blackwood ,,sons1 ,,edinburgh ,,and ,,london4 ,transcriber's ,note3 ,minor typographical errors have been corrected without note4 ,variant and dialect spellings remain as printed4 ,hyphenation has been standardised4