102 ANGLING REMINISCENCES. 



have lain there for ages. Although fed from a 

 mossy origin by dark-coloured streams, the water 

 of Loch Achilty is during summer pure and crystal- 

 line, unlike that of Loch Nech-Beann, or the Lake 

 of the White-Horse, above Towie, out of which, 

 and through a smaller tarn, its principal feeder 

 comes. In this uppermost loch are found fine-sized 

 red-trout, which dash eagerly at the fly towards 

 gloaming, but at other times are shy or asleep, for 

 they rise infrequently and with more circumspec- 

 tion; yet one may occasionally capture a dozen or 

 two of them by nice management, and this number 

 will fill a common-sized creel to the very brim. 

 There is a heronry on a small island within this 

 mountain reservoir, which is well worthy of obser- 

 vation. 



The middle sheet of water, Loch-an-Drame, 

 lying down in a fairy-haunted hollow, teems with 

 small, lively fish. In Loch Achilty itself, the trout, 

 though by no means large, are yet well-sized, and 

 singularly strong. When hooked, they make di- 

 rectly for the bottom, and cause an uncommon 

 vibratory sensation along the line. They are not 

 remarkably thick-shaped, but the head is small, and 

 the flesh red and well-flavoured. 



The most curious production of Loch Achilty is 

 its char. This beautiful fish is indeed discovered 

 in a number of our Scottish lakes, but nowhere 

 have we found it so eager in its approaches towards 

 the fly as in this loch. On a calm, warm day, the 



