LOCH-FISHING. 417 



ing, use a No. 9 hook through the minnow's lips, and a 13 or 

 14 through the tail (vide cut). You thus bait much more 



quickly, and the minnow's appearance is not so apt to be 

 injured ; its tail can also be curved up, more or less, to make 

 it spin true. Thus baited, you may troll with it from a boat 

 for half a day ; but if you attempt to cast, it will very soon 

 be thrown off. Always take with you two coarse trolling- 

 rods that you do not mind sinking in the water, and very 

 large reels with plenty of line or oiled cord, if you wish. 



Your boatman should be well acquainted with the ground ; 

 but if he is not, endeavour to troll between the shallow and 

 the deep, where the trout are on the outlook. Find out if 

 there are any sunk rocks or banks, and troll round them also. 

 Always sweep past the mouths of any rivers or brooks ; they 

 are very likely places either with minnow or fly. 



Troll as much as possible with the wind, although in fly- 

 fishing it is best to row against it. Take care, when you hook 

 a fish, that your boatman does not strain your line in the 

 former case, nor slacken it in the latter ; either of which he 

 is apt to do, by lying upon his oars, watching your proceed- 

 ings. You must, in fact, direct his slightest movement. 

 When the waters a.re large and deep, such as Loch Lomond 

 and Loch Awe, the heaviest trout and salmon are always 

 taken by trolling with small trout, minnow, or parr. 



If the loch is frequented by salmon, have one of your rods 

 baited with a parr ; and, if passing any of his haunts near the 

 shore, take your fly-rod, land, and throw from it, but do not 

 go near the place with the boat. Should no fish rise after 

 you have thrown some time, take off your fly, put on a large 

 bait-hook and two floats, one about six yards from the other ; 

 the line is thus prevented from dangling near the hook, which 



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