2/2 SALMON AND SEA TROUT FISHING. 



the Tarn o' Shanter, and the Mac Sporran, for a 

 description of which see Salmon Fly-making. The 

 impartiality of this fish towards any particular lure 

 or class of artificials for all seasons and occasions is 

 at a marked contrast with the pedantic partiality of 

 many anglers, who pin their faith upon an odd fly or 

 so, that has happened to do something exceptional in 

 their hands, it may be ; but it is of small use trying 

 to convince these of their error. Prejudice and ob- 

 stinacy satisfy them that they are infallibly right. 

 Whilst fishing some few years ago on Loch Nell, we 

 took an exceptionally large salmon, whose habitual 

 haunt was in one particular spot, near a submerged 

 rock. Upon our return to the inn, the landlord 

 eagerly enquired as to what part of the water he had 

 been extracted from ; and our capture proved to be 

 an old acquaintance of his, a fish that had never- 

 theless cut his acquaintance very frequently according 

 to his account. Though the form and dimensions of 

 the fish greatly interested our worthy host, the fly that 

 had been instrumental in his capture monopolized his 

 chief attention. Ever after this event the landlord 

 played the " Spanker " without cessation or intermis- 

 sion. Subsequently, whenever the man was seen with 

 a fish, the query " what fly ? " was certain to elicit the 

 reply " Spanker ! sir ; n indeed, among the visitors, the 

 virtues of the Spanker was so well worn a topic, that 

 the subject was finally suppressed at first scent. 



Next in importance to the fly is undoubtedly the 

 gut cast. Personally, we invariably use single gut of 

 the strongest and best description, with a yard and a 



