n6. ANGLING REMINISCENCES. 



bolt, although evidently pricked and cautioned to their 

 heart's content, as I at first imagined. It was plain 

 they were perfectly unacquainted with the shadow of 

 a rod, and never until that day had been taught 

 the mysteries of honest old Isaac. Peace be to their 

 manes ! 



There are few trout in the lower parts of Conan so 

 large, which is owing perhaps to the constant sifting 

 of its principal streams for salmon. I have occasion- 

 ally, however, taken them above a pound weight in 

 places inaccessible to the drag-net. Along Strath-Bran 

 also, after the river leaves Ledgowan Loch, and a short 

 way above Achnanault, great fish are to be met with in 

 some of the deep pools. They will rise at a large, red 

 professor-fly, and even grilse hooks have been found 

 effectual. I would much, however, prefer angling 

 there with a small fish upon swivel tackle. Gimp also 

 should be used, to prevent pike, which are very numer- 

 ous in that district, from doing mischief to the ap- 

 paratus. Loch Luichart, through which Conan runs, 

 is of good repute as an angling loch ; perhaps, indeed, 

 it is somewhat over-rated. The trout found in it aver- 

 ages from half a pound to a pound in weight ; occasion- 

 ally, however, it has been caught of a much larger size. 

 It is a beautiful and strong fish, with salmon-coloured 

 flesh, and magnificently spotted on the outside, but 

 rises to the fly lazily and with great caution, at times 

 merely approaching your hook, and retiring again 

 without so much as a single snatch. I have killed, 



