Fly Fishing for Sea T^^out. 95 



I noticed a large fish rise much further out in the 

 deep water, we at once row to the spot. At the 

 first cast up he comes, and he is fast. With a swirl 

 and a whirl, away he goes, taking out line at a rapid 

 rate, but never showing himself till many yards had 

 been run out, — he must be a salmon ! Then comes 

 a mighty leap, and I see by the twist of his tail that 

 he is trout, but a big one. Leap after leap, still 

 further he goes. Row, row, he'll take out all the 

 line ! He fights a glorious fight. But he is well 

 hooked, and he is gradually brought alongside, and 

 after another game struggle for his life he is brought 

 on board ; six pounds and a fresh-run fish. 



" The wind has now dropped, and we row ashore 

 to lunch under some big rocks fallen I wonder 

 how many years ago, and where a spring of ice-cold 

 water gushes out. After luncheon, light our pipes, 

 watch the wild goats clambering over the rocks 

 half-way up the mountain, headed by their hoary 

 grey-bearded patriarch, whose horns now adorn 

 my hall — but stop ; look ! what are those birds } 

 Three cormorants — wending their way up to the 

 island at the head of the loch. Terrible poachers 

 are these birds ; so it is decided, more especially 

 as there is but little breeze, to have a cormorant 

 stalk. So putting up one rod, whilst with the 

 other I pretend to be fishing, W. lies down in the 

 bow, and we gradually near the island, and in this 



