LOCH STAC. THE LAXFORD. 405 



Dinart afford excellent angling, especially for sea-trout 

 and finnocks. 



Passing from these, we come to the west coast rivers, 

 several of which, belonging to the county of Sutherland, 

 are highly appreciated by anglers. The one, however, 

 deserving special attention is the Laxford, from Loch 

 Stac. Its course is short, not exceeding a couple 

 of miles, but the rod-fishing it yields has been pro- 

 nounced first-rate. 



In LOCH STAC, sea-trout are very abundant, so much 

 so, that, favoured with a breeze, the angler may readily 

 kill from three to four dozens. The use of the boat, 

 however, is requisite, in order to obtain the best sport. 

 When the river is in trim, and weather not too hot, the 

 fishing for sea-trout becomes a secondary matter, and 

 the angler is generally induced to leave the loch, and 

 adopting larger flies and stronger tackle, descend to the 

 river. Here, if at all versed in the art, and able to 

 detect the resorts of big fish, he will not be long in 

 provoking a salmon to seize his glittering lure, and as 

 the one most disposed to take, is, in rivers like the Lax- 

 ford, generally fresh-run, he will have no reason, should 

 he capture only a couple of twelve pounders, to com- 

 plain of want of sport. Six or seven grilses, however, 

 are not unfrequently taken in the course of an after- 

 noon, by means of the rod on this river. Near the 

 Laxford, flows the Inchard water from Loch Garadna. 

 Its course is even shorter than that of the other, and 

 being besides a smaller stream, it is held in less repute. 

 There are no inns in this district, except at Scourie and 

 Rhiconich, either of which is six or seven miles distant, 

 but the angler can be furnished with a comfortable bed 

 in a shepherd's cottage, at the head of Loch Stac. He 

 will require, however, unless he can accommodate him- 



