176 LOCH -FISHING. 



moves about, and entices the salmon ; pull down the first 

 worm to the other, and your hook is baited. ( Vide cut.) 



When the float disappears, be in no hurry to strike till 

 the fish has tightened the line ; you are thus pretty sure of 

 its head being turned away, and consequently have a 

 better chance of hooking. This should only be attempted 

 where the shores are deep and rocky, on a cloudy day, 

 with a stiff breeze from the south or west, and skiffs of 

 rain. Do not give up hope too soon, for the salmon are 

 generally swimming in small shoals, backwards and 

 forwards along the shore; a little time may thus elapse 

 before they pass where you are fishing. 



In trolling with par for Loch Awe trout, salmon, or the 

 gillaroo, use double or even triple gut, well dyed ; a couple 

 of swivels are quite enough, and a very heavy lead. The 

 manner of baiting, and best hook-tackle, have been already 

 mentioned when treating of the salmo-ferox. Should the 

 weather become calm, you may often hook a large cunning 

 fish by waiting till dusk of evening, letting out a very 

 long line, and sinking your rod in the water, with the 

 butt against your shoulder. The biggest fish are always 

 on the search for food at this time ; and, perhaps, the 

 most killing bait is a loach also excellent for large perch, 

 some of which I have caught, when trolling, fully three 

 pounds weight. 



