LOCHS. 13 



ble of penetrating a closely-knit stocking; at all events 

 it is unpleasant, and not to be courted. Upon the 

 whole, we are advocates of the wading system, in 

 streams especially, and in all weathers. We shall give 

 our reasons more fully in an after chapter ; at present, 

 a few words upon boating may not be amiss, as con- 

 nected with loch fishing. 



One very great objection to this mode of angling is 

 the dependent state in which the angler is placed. 

 Unable at the same moment himself to manage both 

 oars and tackle, he must needs either have a companion, 

 who soon tires of the toilsome occupation, or else a 

 hired boatman, who pretends superior sagacity, and 

 provokes one by obstinate self-will, and everlasting 

 jabber. Besides, trout seldom, except at feeding hours, 

 rise in very deep water ; on the contrary, they keep 

 to the margin, where all the ground food is generated, 

 and are commonly accessible within a dozen or two 

 yards of it. From hence, also, they are drawn out 

 without loss of time, nor are thus so liable to escape 

 after being hooked. * 



In trolling, however, for large fish, as is practised in 

 Loch Awe and other places, a boat, we allow, is ne- 

 cessary ; nor do its other inconveniences detract from 

 the pleasure of such delicious sport : nevertheless, in 

 ordinary angling, we love the pedestrian style ; none 

 of those are we -who practise the art cavalierly, or on 

 horseback, as some vaunt. 



And now to speak of an abomination in loch fishing 

 lately introduced. Let every true angler abjure the 

 lath ; it is a poacher's instrument ; killing, no doubt, 

 alarmingly fatal ; so is lime in a narrow brook, or vitriol, 

 or the pock-net. Pretty means these for an honest 

 angler to use! ingenious and crafty contrivances 

 wherewith to kill time and make merriment ! This 



