62 LOCH-FISHING. 



Should you hook a trout in such a situation, and not find 

 an opening to lead it through, use every endeavour to 

 keep it from the weeds ; and when quite tired out, raise 

 its head above water, and tow it rapidly over them. If 

 you can reach beyond the weeds with your landing-net, 

 the difficulty in a great measure ceases. 



When salmon or trout spring out of the water, you 

 may be sure that neither will be so apt to rise to yourfly, 

 whether in lochs or rivers. 



THE MINNOW-TACKLE. 



In fishing for trout with the minnow, I also prefer a mo- 

 derate breeze, unless in bright sunshine, when more wind 

 is necessary. Your tackle should be the very best single 

 gut, dyed with strong tea, or any thing to take the shine 

 off; a No. 13 hook, and two No. 8's tied back to back : 

 two swivels are enough, and no lead on the line. Any 

 one with the least knowledge of angling knows how to 

 bait. The large hook enters the minnow's mouth and is 

 brought out near the tail, which is curved in order to 

 make it spin ; one of the others is passed through its lips. 

 A fly-top makes the minnow spin more lively, and is 

 therefore preferable to a bait one the rod-makers will 

 say the reverse. In river-fishing, another branch and 

 couple of small hooks fastened to the gut, and fixed in 

 the minnow's side, are often used ; but I do not recom- 

 mend them for the lochs. 



The best, although most tedious way of casting, is to 



