116 A SCOTTISH FLY-FISHER 



with any show of justice, be applied, it is that pursued 

 upon the loch. 



But though to the loch-fisher it seems a matter of 

 indifference where he casts, he need not cast carelessly. 

 Since he may expect a trout anywhere he should be 

 prepared to find one everywhere. He should cast 

 methodically, covering every inch of water in front of 

 him, and in his very ignorance of the position of the 

 fish, should be even more alert than on the stream. As 

 every rise is in the nature of a surprise to him, his eye 

 should be continuously on his flies, and his thoughts 

 where his eye is. His attention should never be allowed 

 to stray. If he would miss the opportunity of the day, 

 he has but to divert his mind for a moment from the 

 occupation in which he is engaged ; when it has returned 

 to the object from which it should never have been 

 absent, he will find that he has accomplished his desire. 

 A great swirl in the water will advise him of the pre- 

 sence of a fish which, he will have the satisfaction of 

 feeling, might have been his but for his thoughtlessness. 

 The trout seem to possess some occult means of know- 

 ing when the angler's wits are wool-gathering, and the 

 frequency with which they seize the occasion suggests 

 some interesting speculations. I know of no better 

 method of inducing a dour and obstinate fish to rise 



