140 SALMO FEKOX 



profound solitudes to harbour in by day, and plenty of 

 sea-room too for privateering at night. Your requisites 

 to compass the destruction of a ferox are a good boat 

 and a couple of stout rowers (not a steam launch, 

 surely, for you are after noble quarry, and should treat 

 him chivalrously), two strong rods with not less than a 

 hundred and twenty yards of flawless line on the reel of 

 each, spinning tackle of the best (pay special attention 

 to the temper of the triangle hooks), and good store of 

 troutlets for bait. Phantom minnows will do business 

 at times, or other artificial lures ; but there is nothing 

 to compare with the young of their own species to take 

 these patriarchs withal. In nearly every Highland 

 loch there is a belt of shoal water round the shores, 

 whence the bottom shelves rapidly or plunges cliff-like 

 to a great depth. It is along this line that the bait is 

 most often seized. It ought not to swim at a less 

 depth than eight to twelve feet, to ensure which at 

 least fifty yards of line should be paid out. In crossing 

 the lake or its bays the depth should be increased, for 

 these fish ever lie deep in the day-time, though as the 

 shades begin to fall they move towards the shores to 

 feed. Diligence is essential, and a rough wind con- 

 ducive to success, and the rush and wild plunge of a 

 good ferox make it worth while to exercise the first in 

 the teeth of the last. When you have got him hum ! 

 ferox is eatable certainly, but not exactly the kind of 

 food to pine for. It is best late in the season, and then 

 ought to be broiled in steaks. 



