396 THE MOOR AND THE LOCH. 



In some very muddy waters, such as the Ale in Selkirk- 

 shire (exactly the colour of its name), a single thread of silver 

 is recommended when fishing with a dark fly. I tried this, 

 but found a red palmer quite as effective. No doubt, however, 

 the tinsel is good in such a case, though I have seldom seen a 

 river discoloured enough to require it. 



Another hint to the young angler is to mind what he is 

 about when he approaches the still deeps of the river. Many 

 are apt to pass them by altogether, and scarcely try a cast 

 until they come to the pools and streams again. Perhaps the 

 best test of a finished performer is the manner in which he 

 fishes these dead, deep places, especially if there is little wind, 

 for they generally harbour the largest and best-fed fish, which 

 are, of course, the most suspicious and difficult to rise. We 

 will suppose a first-rate angler approaching one of these up- 

 rippled deeps : his tackle is of the very lightest description ; 

 he is watching with a hawk's eye for the rising of a trout. 

 Should he see one, he instantly moves up till within rather a 

 distant cast of the place, taking advantage of any bush or tuft 

 of reeds which may the better conceal him ; or, if necessary, 

 going down on his knee, ready to drop his cast, light as gos- 

 samer, right across the next circle which the crafty fish may 

 make by sucking down another incautious fly. If the trout 

 should rise, he is not unlikely to be one well worth hooking, 

 and to give good sport in such quiet water. When there is 

 breeze enough to make much ripple, it may prevent any but 

 a quick and practised eye from seeing the rises most worth 

 notice ; in which case the water should be fished with as long 

 a line and as light casts as possible. You need not despair 

 should trees or any other obstacle prevent your sweep from 

 being so free as otherwise it ought, for if you are suitably 

 dressed, 1 and make no rapid motions, you will be so masked 

 by the trees or bushes as to allow of a much nearer approach 

 and shorter cast. In the Water of Leith there are two pools 



1 The slate-blue of the heron's back is the best colour for a fisher's dress. 



