90 TROLLING FOR THE SALMO-FEROX. 



practical fisher, that he will take you over the same 

 ground under all circumstances ; and should no fish run, 

 lay the blame on something unpropitious in the day, 

 which it may require some ingenuity on his part to 

 discover, and some credulity on yours to believe. Your 

 best plan with such a guide is to make him be most 

 particular about the surest resorts of the large fish; and 

 should you be unsuccessful the first time of going over 

 them, try again a little nearer the shore, if there is much 

 wind ; or, if it be calm, a little further out, especially 

 when the loch is small. Towards dusk you may generally 

 keep nearer the shore, also when the loch has risen, or is 

 discoloured with rain. You must not then sink the baits 

 so deep, but raise them by taking off some of the sinking 

 lead, not by winding up a part of the line, as the shallower 

 you troll, the more need of a long line. It is always a 

 good plan to have baits of different sizes ; the larger upon 

 the outside rod, which should have the longest line and 

 heaviest lead. This rod should be fixed by the butt, at 

 the opposite side of the boat, so as to cross before you. 

 I need not say the reel and line must be quite free. Keep 

 the other rod in hand, now and then sinking the point in 

 the water as it grows deeper or the day calmer. Should 

 the rod across the boat hook a fish, instantly throw the 

 other to the boatman next you, who may wind it up out of 

 your way, his comrade guiding the boat with both oars. 

 If the fish is large, he will most likely strike away from 

 the boat, and your first effort should be to shorten your 

 line by backing water. Whenever the fish is under 



