200 LOCH-FISHING. 



and test severely both the skill of the angler and 

 the boatman. After the ordinary line there should 

 be a strong triple-gut casting-line, tapered from the 

 line to where the trolling-tackle is attached. The 

 gut on which the hooks are tied should be stronger 

 than what is used for any other tr outing purpose, 

 and almost as thick as that used for salmon-fishing. 

 This strong gut is so rarely devoid of a white glossy 

 appearance, and requires to be stained so dark 

 before it is divested of it, that we prefer triple-gut 

 twisted, which can be got very fine, and it is not so 

 easily seen as a single thread of the same thickness. 

 If there are pike in the loch it will be necessary to 

 tie the hooks on gimp, as the teeth of that fish are 

 very sharp, and will sometimes bite through triple- 

 gut. Two lengths above the hooks a large swivel 

 should be placed, and three or four lengths farther 

 up it is advisable to have a second. Large swivels 

 are greatly superior to small ones, as they are not so 

 liable to go wrong, and also act as sinkers. When 

 sinkers are required, swan-shot should be used, 

 which may be placed between the swivels, or above 

 them. 



The number of hooks of which trolling-tackles 

 are composed is very various, and we have seen as 

 many as seven pairs on one tackle. But it is very 

 doubtful- if any advantage is gained by surrounding 

 the bait with hooks in this manner, and we think 

 that three, or if the bait is a large one at most four 

 pairs will be quite sufficient. The hooks should be 



