108 ANGLING REMINISCENCES. 



ed to repeat a false bolt, although evidently pricked 

 and cautioned to their heart's content, as I at first 

 imagined. It was plain they were perfectly unac- 

 quainted with the shadow of a rod, and never until 

 that day had been taught the mysteries of honest 

 old Isaac. Peace be to their maries! 



There are few trout in the lower parts of Conan 

 so large, which is owing perhaps to the constant 

 sifting of its principal streams for salmon. I have 

 occasionally, however, taken them above a pound 

 weight in places inaccessible to the drag-net. Along 

 Strath-Bran also, after the river leaves Ledgowan 

 Loch, and a short way above Achnanault, great 

 fish are to be met with in some of the deep pools. 

 They will rise at a large, red professor-fly, and even 

 grilse hooks have been found effectual. I would 

 much, however, prefer angling there with a small 

 fish upon swivel tackle. Gimp also should be used, 

 to prevent pike, which are very numerous in that 

 district, from doing mischief to the apparatus. Loch 

 Luichart, through which Conan runs, is of good re- 

 pute as an angling loch ; perhaps, indeed, it is some- 

 what over-rated. The trout found in it averages from 

 half a pound to a pound in weight ; occasionally, how- 

 ever, it has been caught of a much larger size. It is a 

 beautiful and strong fish, with salmon-coloured flesh, 

 and magnificently spotted on the outside, but rises 

 to the fly lazily and with great caution, at times 

 merely approaching your hook, and retiring again 

 without so much as a single snatch. I have killed, 



