428 THE MOOR AND THE LOCH. 



of salmon rising all round, I never knew of one taking the 

 bait ; and during the whole of my trolling in the salt water, 

 I have only killed one grilse. This is the more strange, as 

 the salmon is not at all shy of the spinning-bait in the fresh- 

 water loch. A fishing friend once remarked to me, " You are 

 all wrong about salmon not taking a bait in salt water. I 

 had one on for a long time, hooked in the sea." Shortly 

 afterwards I landed, in the Gareloch, a sea-trout of seven 

 pounds, and sent it to him. In course of post I had a note 

 thanking me for the fine clean salmon ! My reply was " My 

 dear Sheriff, never say you know a salmon in the water, when 

 you don't know one out of it ! " 



The best time to begin fishing for sea-trout is at the turn of 

 the tide, when it begins to ebb. The same rod and tackle as 

 when trolling from a boat in fresh water will do. The her- 

 ring-fry, salted, are the most killing bait (also excellent for 

 large fish in fresh-water lochs), although minnows are very 

 good ; a sand-eel may also do, the black skin pulled over the 

 head, so as to show nothing but the white body ; this shines 

 very bright, but, as it does not spin, is far less enticing than the 

 others. A boatman who thoroughly knows the fishing-ground 

 is indispensable, as it is much more difficult to find out than in 

 the fresh water. Strong eddies, formed by the tide, are often 

 good places ; also any bays, especially if mountain burns run 

 into them. The largest size of sea-trout are caught in this 

 way ; and when hooked, from the depth and strength of the 

 water, make capital play. Large lythe, also, are frequently 

 taken : these are like passionate boxers fight furiously for a 

 short time, after which they are quite helpless. 



If there is a good pool at the mouth of any mountain burn, 

 by going with your fly- rod during a " spate," or coming down 

 of the water after heavy rain, and when the tide is at the full, 

 you may have excellent sport. The trout are all floundering 

 about, ready to take your fly the moment it touches the water. 

 This only lasts for a short time, as they all leave the pool at 



