FISHING ON SALT-WATER LOCHS. 427 



The fishing of the sea-loch is not nearly so scientific as 

 that of the inland. The great art lies in being thoroughly 

 acquainted with the best state of the tide for commencing 

 operations in having a perfect knowledge of the fishing- 

 ground, and being able to set your long-line with neatness 

 and despatch. Having lived for a couple of years on the 

 banks of two sea-lochs, I had every opportunity (which I did 

 not neglect) of practising the different kinds of fishing, and 

 making myself master of the most propitious times of the 

 tide for doing so with success. 



TROLLING FOR SEA-TROUT 



May be ranked at the head of this fishing; but, before 

 attempting to describe it, I shall mention two curious facts 

 relative to the sea- trout and salmon, which it is difficult to 

 account for. One is, that the former will take greedily in 

 one loch, while you may troll a whole day in its next neigh- 

 bour, though full of them, without getting a single bite. This 

 was precisely the case in the two lochs alluded to. The 

 other, that although you may see the huge tails and back -fins 



stances occur to me : A spruce young gentleman and party of friends, in crossing 

 a ferry, had only one boatman, nearly eighty years old, tugging away at both 

 oars. The young spark, who rather piqued himself upon his performance, offered 

 to relieve him of one. "Na, na," says old Donald, whose manner was the 

 extreme of respect, "ye'll no be accustomed to this wark." "Me!" says the 

 youngster, " I'll row any man in your country." The Highlander instantly faced 

 him with a look and tone of perfect equality, " I've seen the day when ye wad 

 hae been sair pushed ! " The other case was that of an old "grannie " in defence 

 of her rights and privileges : An efficient and benev olent magistrate, who had 

 been very active in his endeavours to stop the progress of the cholera, was incul- 

 cating the necessity of cleanliness. Grannie listened with a sort of half-consent- 

 ing air, which seemed to say " we must submit to all this for the good that's to 

 come " until he mentioned the necessity of removing the dunghill from before 

 the window. Her Highland blood could not endure so audacious an inroad upon 

 her freedom : she determined to make a stand upon this odoriferous ground, pro- 

 verbial for inspiring even the craven with pluck. With an attitude of defiance, 

 and her fists firmly stuck in her sides, she bawled out " 'Deed, Major, ye may 

 tak our lives, but ye'll no tak our middens ! ! " 



