242 FIELD-NOTES FOR THE YEAR. CH. XVII. 



much acquainted with the habits of fish; but could 

 we pry into their domestic circles, I have no doubt 

 that we should find them possessed of a far higher 

 degree of instinct and much greater cleverness in 

 providing for their food and safety than we give 

 them credit for. The instinct of fish in foretelling, 

 or rather in foreknowing, the changes of weather 

 is very remarkable; and the observant angler may 

 almost prophesy to a certainty with regard to the 

 approach of rain or storms by seeing in what mood 

 for rising at his flies the trout may be. In certain 

 states of the weather the angler may put away his 

 tackle without trying to take a single trout ; but 

 this can only be learned by experience and close 

 observation. 



Sometimes, on a fine June evening, the sea-fish, 

 such as gurnets and coal-fish, take a large white 

 fly readily enough, and fight most powerfully 

 when of any size. 



I took a boat one day to cross over to the rocks 

 of Cromarty, in order to shoot some rock-pigeons. 

 The breeze was gentle, but sufficient to take us 

 merrily over ; and putting out a couple of lines 

 with large white flies, we caught plenty of gurnet, 

 etc. The fish darted suddenly and with true aim 

 at the flies when close to the boat as readily as 

 when at some distance. After coasting along the 



