ii4 WILD LIFE OF SCOTLAND 



meant for something else, and yield an interval 

 of exciting play. But true sportsmen make a 

 distinction. 



And, as for the east coast, with which I happen 

 to be tolerably well acquainted, I question if 

 there are half a dozen marine anglers between 

 Berwick and Duncansby Head ; and if one of the 

 half-dozen could venture an opinion on the merits 

 of the Nottingham reel, or offer a guess as to the 

 meaning of "whiffing," or direct an inquirer where 

 to find a paternoster, except it might be in the 

 prayer-book. 



Among those who are not afflicted with an 

 incurable tendency to mal-de-mer, there are a few 

 who venture out occasionally. But, even such 

 would regard the refinements they love to lavish on 

 their favourite fresh water as -thrown away on 

 unworthy objects ; and would never think it worth 

 while perilling their souls with the conventional 

 white lies of trouting days, and achievements. If 

 there are any who make a practice of doing that 

 sort of thing, they are not, as a rule, members of 

 any recognised fishing club, nor have they any 

 angling reputation to lose. 



This stiffness may, or may not be excusable. At 

 present I am mainly concerned in stating how 



