20 THE FRESH- WATER TROUT. 



viduals of their species, are inclined to show a monster 

 front -, big, bony jaws ; a long, straight, thick-hided 

 hull ; and huge, napping tail : in fact, all the charac- 

 teristics which age, hunger, and roving habits are apt 

 to engender. 



The above observations regarding the size of fresh- 

 water trout hold reference entirely to those contained 

 in our lochs, and to such, no question, the precedence 

 ought to be allowed, for undeniably they excel our 

 river-trout in many respects. Not only do they attain 

 a greater size, and that, considering their advantages 

 in point of shelter and feeding-ground, naturally 

 enough, but in general, also, they possess a finer quality, 

 and bear away the palm with regard to external beauty. 

 River-trout, however, although inferior in all these 

 respects, command to a larger extent the esteem of 

 the angler. They afford him sport of a more varied 

 and delightful character than that which he obtains 

 from the exercise of his art over lakes and fish-ponds. 

 The passing from stream to stream from rough water 

 to smooth from shoal to deep from rock to weed 

 and gravel, is of itself enjoyment, and increases one's 

 zest for the pastime ; whereas in loch fishing, there is a 

 certain degree of tameness and monotony arising from 

 the circumstance of there being no great essential 

 change in the position of the angler. Whether the 

 surface be calm, gently rippled, or wrought into foam- 

 covered waves, still, be it from boat or marge, he has 

 to ply on, without relief, in the same uniform style. 

 No wonder, therefore, that he attaches more considera- 

 tion to the trout of the stream than to those of the 

 lake, and holds in higher repute a three-pounder cap- 

 tured with gossamer tackle out of some wandering 

 rivulet, than one of twice that weight a lumbering, 



