LOCHS AND RESERVOIRS 181 



unless the breeze is very strong, there will be a belt 

 of calm along the shore probably so broad that he 

 is unable to reach the rougher water beyond. If 

 he can by wading or length of line succeed in this 

 he should spend a long time on that shore, for such a 

 place, the tail of the wind, yields good results. In 

 Highland lochs particularly, and also to some extent 

 in all still water, we have found this to be true, and 

 the probable explanation is that the trout, tired of 

 nymphs, or keen to take anything, lie along that 

 line in expectation of flies blown off the grass and 

 heather. If the fish are rising freely in the calm 

 belt, even the veriest beginner will have astonishing 

 sport with the dry-fly, because the wind will assist 

 him to get out a fine line and, if he holds back his 

 rod at the end of the delivery, he will succeed in 

 laying the flies so lightly on the water that a great 

 response is assured. 



For long-continued casting he should select a 

 shore parallel to the wind, and fish it carefully down 

 from top to bottom ; he should have very little 

 difficulty in sending his flies straight across a strong 

 breeze. His main troubles will arise from the action 

 of the wind upon his line, but, if he casts only to 

 rising fish, these worries will be almost negligible. 

 Striking is often largely a matter of luck owing to 

 the slackness of the line, but if the rod is held point- 

 ing down wind and low to the surface and jerked 

 shorewards, rather than upwards as usual, in answer 

 to a rise, the hook will find its desired resting-place 

 with pleasant frequency. 



Many anglers avoid the shore towards which the 

 wind is blowing and so throw away many oppor- 

 tunities of enjoying good sport and also of learning 



