92 TROLLING FOR THE SALMO-FEROX. 



are too apt, at any rate, to err this way, to save themselves 

 trouble ; as they dread a fast even more than the angler. 

 The truth is, when trolling for the salmo-ferox, the baits 

 should be hung only a few yards from the bottom. They 

 must therefore frequently catch a weed, or root, or sunk 

 rock. Be assured that the largest fish are generally taken 

 by trolling close to the bottom, as they are lazy. In 

 rough ish weather row slowly, in order to give them a 

 good opportunity of seeing and seizing the bait ; quicker 

 in a mild clear day, for it is then as well to give them 

 little time to reflect. East and north are the worst winds 

 for Loch Awe ; west, south-west, and even north-west are 

 very favourable. By adhering to these rules, a fair troller 

 ought to take one or two large feroxes every good day. 



In the year 1842 I had five days' trolling on Loch Awe, 

 and, as I noted down each day's success, will here record it. 



Head-quarters, Cladich, April 30th. Did not go out 

 till five o'clock ; a fine evening, but too calm. Trolled 

 down three miles on the Cladich side of the Loch, returned 

 over the same ground, a little nearer shore ; not a tug 

 until dusk, when we were within half a mile of the inn. 

 I then hooked a fish : he was a dull wretch, and made 

 indifferent play. Weight, eight pounds. When brought 

 to table he cut up white, but was firm and good to eat. 

 I have observed two kinds of the salmo-ferox one, dark- 

 skinned and white in the flesh ; the other, pink in flesh, 

 and of starry scales. The latter always makes the most 

 spirited resistance. Perhaps it may be inferred that there 

 is only one kind, and that the difference arises from their 



