CHAPTER VI 



LOCH-FISHING. 



ALTHOUGH loch-fishing does not require the 

 same amount of skill as river-fishing, it is still 

 a most enjoyable pastime, the great attraction 

 being the superior size of trout to be caught. 

 The best rod in our opinion for fishing from a 

 boat is one of 11 or 12 feet in length, light, 

 stiffish, and which can easily be used with either 

 hand. Should the angler intend fishing from the 

 shore, his rod is better to be 12 to 14 feet long, 

 as he often requires to cast further than is neces- 

 sary while angling from a boat. The wood we 

 recommend for a rod of this description is green- 

 heart entirely, or bamboo cane with a top piece 

 of hickory and lance-wood. The best line is one 

 of silk and hair, or waterproof silk, the latter, for 

 choice, of a yellowish brown colour, and 40 or 50 

 yards in length. It is always advisable to have 

 the line tapered off with 3 feet of twisted gut ; 

 this should be spliced to the line so that it may 

 not catch on the rings of the rod while being 

 reeled in. 



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