226 DRY-FLY FISHING 



not always in the same enormous numbers, it is 

 true, and we are apt to neglect our friend the 

 yellow trout. 



We have not yet tested whether the dry-fly 

 has any attractions for the sea-trout and herling. 

 As these fish undoubtedly feed in fresh water 

 and on flies, the probability is that a floating fly 

 would be even more readily accepted than the 

 gaudy confections generally submitted to their 

 inspection, and some anglers have declared our 

 surmise to be an unquestionable fact. All who 

 have the good fortune to enjoy sea-trout fishing 

 should certainly try the effect of a dry-fly on these 

 highly sporting migrants. 



On the loch, anglers are usually subjected to 

 brilliant suns and gentlest breezes, when lunch 

 in the shade of some wooded island is apt to become 

 a protracted affair. Any day, however, may bring 

 grey skies and a fine wave, and consequently a 

 long, fruitful spell on the water. Loch Leven 

 sometimes fishes very well in August, but only 

 if there is much cloud, and then the trout are in 

 their very best condition, which in itself is suffi- 

 cient to make a visit there attractive. Frequently, 

 the dry-fly is the correct lure, though on dour 

 days a sunk lure will reward patient unceasing 

 labour still better. 



Some of the hill lochs will still provide sport ; 

 but the highest of these suffer from occasional 

 night-frosts, which have the effect of driving the 

 trout into deeper water. Consequently the angler 

 should not fish the shallows in the morning ; but 

 as the day advances, he may approach the shore 

 again, in case the trout have returned to their 



