A DAY ON CLYDE 239 



imagine that only by a lucky chance will an offering 

 fish be hooked, as the stiff body will usually interfere 

 with the strike. 



The wind meantime freshens to a strong breeze, 

 but still, fortunately, from the same direction. The 

 air is decidedly cooler and more pleasant, so that 

 we give up quite cheerfully the next two pools, the 

 fishing of which would demand greater exertion 

 than we deem worth while, as they are unfavourably 

 placed as regards the wind. 



A short walk across country and through the 

 stream brings us to a pool which, though exceed- 

 ingly well stocked with trout, continues to defy us. 

 To-day, as usually is the case, we secure two good 

 fish at the tail, where it is simple fishing ; but it is 

 at the head that we receive innumerable chances 

 and score as a rule an equal number of failures. 



An island of gravel splits up the river into two 

 channels, that on the right bank being too steep and 

 shallow to hold trout, while the opposite branch is 

 a narrow, deep, curving, twisting stream which at 

 the end strikes against a rude wall of stone built 

 for the purpose of keeping the river from altering its 

 course. The two branches meet to form an easy 

 cast, which seldom, however, holds a willing trout, 

 and to-day is no exception. 



Again we stand on the gravel within sight of 

 these trout that for years have baffled us ; as usual 

 they are rising freely and quietly in the far-off 

 stream. Deep water containing many currents lies 

 between us and our wary foes, hence we have to 

 suffer the first great handicap of a long line which, 

 moreover, must be thrown loosely, or the drag that 

 follows is horrible to behold. The cast produces a 



