72 LOCH SALMON -FISHING. 



small loch is therefore best early in the year, the 

 lower parts gradually improving as the season 

 draws on. If, however, the feeders of a loch are 

 large enough for fish to ascend, their first object 

 is to seek them, and press up. In the smaller 

 lochs the feeding burns may admit sea-trout 

 during floods, but are seldom large enough for 

 salmon ; the consequence is, that all the heavy 

 fish remain in the loch till harvest, and are very 

 apt to haunt the mouths of brooks during a spate. 

 This is the case even in Loch Lomond, where, 

 with the exception of the outlet (the Leven), there 

 is no stream where salmon dare enter, except at 

 the spawning-time; and it is amazing to see great 

 fish at that season in mountain brooks that will 

 scarce cover, far less conceal them. 



In Loch Awe, where the fine feeder TJrchay is 

 ready to receive them, salmon seldom go up the 

 loch at all. When clear of the river Awe (the 

 outlet of the loch), they immediately press on to 

 the Urchay, and enter it. Consequently, salmon 

 are scarcely ever taken in the loch, except be- 

 tween the mouths of these rivers. 



When salmon know they have the safety of a 



