377 



TKOLLING FOE THE SALMO-FEKOX. 



"IT'S A FAR CRY TO LOCH OWE ! ' 



TKOLLING for giant trout is the very acme of rod-fishing. It 

 is generally thought that the whole of this exciting sport 

 consists in fixing good baits upon the trolling-rod, letting out 

 a sufficiency of line, and mainly relying upon the boatman's 

 skill to point out the best fishing-ground. Although trolling 

 after this fashion may occasionally be successful, yet the re- 

 verse is far oftener experienced, when all the blame is* sure to 

 be laid on the weather, as the best ground has been carefully 

 searched, and the baits were excellent. Few gentlemen are 

 aware how easily this best ground may be changed to a good 

 distance on either side, by a bright sun, a breeze of wind, or a 

 rise of the loch after rain. This is invariably the case where 

 the shores are level, and the depth consequently gradual. 

 Should the sky be dark and the loch discoloured, or, on the 

 contrary, small and clear, with a cloudless sky, a difference in 

 the size and colour of the bait, and rapidity in spinning it, 

 may bring home an empty boat, or reward us with a couple of 

 trout that will give the boatman as much trouble to carry as 

 two buckets of water. 



There are three kinds of trout that peculiarly belong to this 

 description of fishing. And, first, the great salmo-ferox, from 

 its size, strength, and cunning, deserves the highest place. 



