70 



resolve into immediate effect. I remained to 

 the next day, and filled my basket (a good-sized 

 one) in a very short time indeed. 



The Coquet is a remarkably limpid stream ; 

 you can distinctly see its bed at the depth of 

 ten or twelve feet. When the weather is clear, 

 it requires rather fine tackle and a skilful 

 throwing of the line to do any execution. As 

 a counterbalance to this extreme clearness, the 

 country is comparatively open ; and, conse- 

 quently, the slightest breeze makes an impres- 

 sion upon the water favourable to the angler. 



Many expert anglers of the Coquet have of 

 late years abandoned fly-fishing, and have 

 adopted the minnow. They affirm that they 

 obtain a greater weight of fish in this way than 

 by fly ; but there are many conflicting opinions, 

 on the superiority of the new plan, which it is 

 difficult to reconcile. I have certainly seen the 

 finest dish of trout caught by minnow, only this 

 happened but seldom ; whereas the fly is in 

 perpetual requisition. This makes all the dif- 

 ference in the two cases. 



When there is a good curl, I would advise 

 the angler always to fish the deep waters of the 

 Coquet ; he will find much better fish than in 

 more shallow streams. Some of the long 

 ranges of still water are very full of fine trout ; 



