RECOLLECTIONS AND ADVICES. 119 



CHAPTER XIII. 

 RECOLLECTIONS AND ADVICES. 



WE think it proper, in this part of our treatise, to in- 

 sert a few anecdotal notices, if they may so be termed, 

 respecting such animals as are naturally the enemies of 

 fish, and help not a little to diminish their numbers. 

 Amon'g these the otter stands foremost. The voracity 

 of this creature is well known, and the uncommon mas- 

 sacres it will often effect among the choicest of our 

 trout and salmon, render it greatly obnoxious to anglers. 

 There are in Scotland comparatively few waters abound- 

 ing in fish, which are not haunted to some extent by 

 the otter, which, although naturally shy, and no lover 

 of daylight, will at times, when in the pursuit, show 

 a bold front, and has been known to contest its prey 

 with man himself. 



As an instance, we have heard it asserted by a gen- 

 tleman, on whose word we place the most perfect re- 

 liance, that when angling for pike on the Loch of the 

 Lowes, and about to land a fine fish of ten or twelve 

 pounds weight, he was surprised to observe a large otter 

 swim ferociously towards it ; nor did it cease its attack, 

 until it had succeeded in carrying away the pike, hook, 

 and all, to the astonishment of those present. 



Another individual informed us, that, when angling 

 in St Mary's Loch at night, he has frequently been fol- 

 lowed at a short distance by an otter, ready to pounce 

 upon such fish as he might happen to hook, although 

 generally, by his presence, deterring any from rising. 

 The same person, lately a resident at the head of the 



