CHAPTER ONE HIGHLAND LAKES 



placed across deep angles of the water or along the edge 

 of weeds, is sure to catch them; this fish always strugglino- 

 and endeavouring to press forward as soon as he feels the 

 net, whereas the trout in these clear waters always escape 

 the danger by turning back as soon as they touch the 

 meshes. 



The Highland shepherds kill numbers of the spawning 

 trout in the autumn, in every little stream and rill, however 

 small, which feeds the lake. At this time of the year the 

 trout are seized with an irresistible inclination for ascend- 

 ing any running stream that they can find; and I have seen 

 large trout of several pounds' weight taken out of holes in 

 very small runs of water, to get into which they must have 

 made their way for considerable distances up a channel 

 where the water could not nearly cover them. Still, as long 

 as a trout can keep his head against the stream, so long 

 will he endeavour to work his way up. Numbers of fish, 

 and always the largest, fall a prey not only to men, but to 

 every prowling fox or wild cat who passes their way during 

 the autumn, and all vermin instinctively hunt along the 

 edge of water during the night time. A trout in shallow 

 water is easily caught by any of these animals. Even the 

 buzzard and the raven succeed in capturing them when 

 they are left in small rills, as is frequently the case, having 

 been tempted to ascend them by some shower, which 

 swells the water for a short time and then leaves it as low 

 as ever. 



