CH. VII.] FISHING FROM STEAMEES. 95 



has a line or two on board, and will be delighted 

 in assisting you to catch a dish of fish for the table 

 by lending them. These are, however, for the 

 most part such make-shift things, that any one 

 who has a mind to utilise his time in this way 

 will do well to invest a shilling or two in a good 

 one before starting. Fish-bait is generally pro- 

 curable on board. I have myself had excellent 

 sport in this way at several places along the Coast, 

 particularly off Gairloch and in Little Loch Broom. 

 At the former place I remember creating great 

 excitement amongst the boats alongside, by get- 

 ting hold of a big Stenlock. He was so heavy 

 and the tackle so rotten I was fishing with the 

 steward's that I could not venture to haul him 

 on board. At length one of the boatmen came to 

 my assistance, killed him, and fastened the line 

 round his gills, when he came up all right. He 

 weighed nearly ten pounds. 



Although Whiting are generally taken near the 

 bottom, yet it is a mistake to suppose that they 

 never leave it; for they not only have the power 

 of coming to the surface, but in fact not unfre- 

 quently do so, or to within a short distance of it, 

 when in pursuit of small fry. I know of two in- 

 stances in which they have been caught by a kill- 



