LAKE FISHING 49 



Whatever causes a break in the surface of the 

 lake is of value, whether it be a point of rock, fallen 

 branch, or anything else which may induce a swirl in 

 the water, or be the means of collecting together food 

 of some description, thereby attracting the trout to its 

 vicinity. 



These somewhat disjointed suggestions on the 

 subject of lake fishing with a fly are here offered, not 

 as touching on the whole business of an angler when 

 dealing with lake trout, but as having reference to 

 most of the principal matters in connection with this 

 branch of angling. The fisherman must learn much 

 for himself which cannot be imparted by writing. 



The secret of how to ' strike ' properly when loch 

 fishing is in itself a mystery only to be solved by 

 experience; and how to describe striking at any 

 time, whether when fishing up-stream with a dry fly 

 or on a Highland loch, is a matter which I confess 

 my inability to attempt. * Striking ' consists of tight- 

 ening the line sufficiently to make the hook fasten 

 in the fish's mouth as soon as ever the fisherman con- 

 ceives the said hook to have entered thereinto. 

 Some have described this act as being accomplished 

 by a * turn of the wrist.' I frankly say I cannot 

 conceive how such a proceeding can achieve the 

 desired object. As far as I can judge, all that could 



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