TROLLING FOR THE SALMO-FEROX. 3*79 



perceptible than when there are few. One of the last hooks 

 being inserted at the side of the bait's tail, the whole tail-fin 

 catches the water better than by the other more simple 

 method ; and there are three hooks for the shoulder and 

 three for the tail, the two places where the feroxes are most 

 apt to strike. I am quite sure, after trying both ways, that 

 this last plan not only misses fewer trout, but secures a 

 greater number of runs. I should therefore strongly recom- 

 mend it when large shy fish are the object, although not 

 where trout are small and plentiful, especially in cold weather, 

 when the difficulty of baiting is a serious objection. 



When fairly afloat, beware of trusting too implicitly to your 

 boatman, even should you be totally unacquainted with the 

 loch. It commonly happens, unless he is a good practical 

 fisher, that he will take you over the same ground under all 

 circumstances ; and should no fish run, lay the blame on 

 something unpropitious in the day, which it may require some 

 ingenuity on his part to discover, and some credulity on yours 

 to believe. Your best plan with such a guide is to make him 

 be most particular about the surest resorts of the large fish ; 

 and should you be unsuccessful the first time of going over 

 them, try again a little nearer the shore, if there is much 

 wind ; or, if it be calm, a little further out, especially when the 

 loch is small. Towards dusk you may generally keep nearer 

 the shore, also when the loch has risen, or is discoloured with 

 rain. You must not then sink the baits so deep, but raise 

 them by taking off some of the sinking-lead not by winding 

 up a part of the line, as the shallower you troll the more 

 need of a long line. It is always a good plan to have baits 

 of different sizes; the larger upon the outside rod, which 

 should have the longest line and heaviest lead. This rod 

 should be fixed by the butt, at the opposite side of the boat, 

 so as to cross before you. I need not say the reel and line 

 must be quite free. Keep the other rod in hand, now and 

 then sinking the point in the water as it grows deeper or the 



