58 LOCH-FISHING. 



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 suc- 

 cess. There are also some which may be fished either 

 way throughout the season; the angler's judgment de- 

 termining which, as wind, water, and sky suggest. 

 These, if inhabited by pike, are my particular favour- 

 ites, 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 one to three pound 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 se- 

 lect 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 



