LOCH -FISHING. 169 



not so good as Loch Ard at the beginning of it, are much 

 better afterwards. In short, a number of the lochs in the 

 Highlands may, at certain times, be either fly-fished or 

 trolled with greater success. There are also some which 

 may be fished either way throughout the season ; the 

 angler's judgment determining which, as wind, water, and 

 sky suggest. These, if inhabited by pike, are my particu- 

 lar favourites, especially when the greater part of the shore 

 is so clear of weeds as to make one independent of a boat. 



Many people think a loch injured by pike : on the 

 contrary, unless very numerous, as in Loch Menteith, I 

 have seldom seen one much worth fishing without them ; 

 always excepting those where the Loch Awe trout or 

 gillaroo are to be found. If a man prefers killing eight or 

 nine dozen, with scarcely a half-pounder among them, to a 

 dozen fine trout from half-a-pound to three pounds weight, 

 then he may count the pike his enemy but the latter 

 feat will both better prove his skill and afford him much 

 greater sport. He who wishes to excel in angling will 

 leave the loch with its tiny multitude to the bungler, 

 and select the other, where all his science will be called 

 into play. 



The reason why yellow trout are always large where 

 there are pike is obvious : the small fry are all devoured 

 by the latter, and the others, having more food, increase in 

 size. A few years ago, Loch Katrine was choke-full of 

 very small trout, which have gradually become larger since 

 pike have been introduced ; and now two or three dozen 

 fine red trout may be taken in a day. 



