LOCH-FISHING. 65 



The next subject is one on which there are 

 great differences of opinion " When and how to 

 strike : " this we think depends greatly on the 

 state of the water, and how the fish are rising. 

 Striking should be done entirely by the wrist 

 being brought up sharply but gently in the direc- 

 tion of the shoulder, without moving the arm. 



On a calm day, when the lish are rising shyly, 

 we believe in striking immediately the surface of 

 the water is broken. If the fish are rolling over 

 the fly, porpoise fashion, the strike should be 

 delayed until the fish has turned. Again, if 

 the fish are rising out of the water and taking 

 the fly on the downward course, the line should 

 be kept taut, and the fish allowed to hook them- 

 selves. 



More than half the battle in loch-angling is 

 knowing the ground on which the feeding fish 

 lie. Unless this is known the best plan is for 

 the boatman to row very slowly and quietly 

 against the wind, whilst the angler, with a long 

 line, casts at right angles from the stern of the 

 boat. Should he get a rise, or see fish rising, let 

 the boatman row on about 100 yards, and then 

 turn and drift as nearly as possible over the spot 

 on which the fish were seen feeding. If he finds 

 that this manoeuvre succeeds, let him take several 

 short drifts about the same place until the take 

 comes to an end. There is no doubt that in many 



