88 TROLLING FOR THE SALMO-FEROX. 



couple of trout, that will give the boatman as much 

 trouble to carry as two buckets of water. 



There are three kinds of trout that peculiarly belong to 

 this description of fishing. And, first, the great salmo- 

 ferox, from its size, strength, and cunning, deserves the 

 highest place. Next, the gillaroo, (pronounced "ghirroo" 

 by the Highlanders,) which, although not nearly so shy, 

 nor of such giant proportions as the other, yet has been 

 frequently taken from sixteen to eighteen pounds. (I have 

 never fished much for them myself, and the largest I have 

 caught was five pounds weight. I hooked him with 

 minnow near the foot of Loch Lubnaig, as I rowed home 

 after fly-fishing the green sunk banks at the top. He 

 was in excellent condition, but in fight and appearance 

 strongly reminded me of a barbel.) And, lastly, the 

 famous trout of the Thames. It seldom attains the dimen- 

 sions even of our gillaroo; but merits place among the 

 first triumvirate, both from its beauty and the skill 

 required to hook it. 



In trolling for any of these fish, especially the salmo- 

 ferox, great attention should be paid to the tackle, not 

 only that it is all of the very best quality, but also that it 

 is dressed in a manner least apt to miss the trout. Of 

 course the angler must not expect many runs in a day, 

 which makes it particularly vexatious when the fish that 

 do dash at the bait escape the hooks. In boat-trolling for 

 smaller trout, I often use but two hooks a large one 

 through the tail of the bait, and a smaller through its 

 mouth. This has many advantages ; you bait quickly and 



