LOCH-FISHING 121 



When the angler is alone he has no conflicting in- 

 terests to consider, and can give his undivided attention 

 to the occupation of the moment. Unhampered by the 

 fear of marring another's pleasure, he may play his fish 

 at his leisure and in any direction which suits his 

 convenience and, if it must be consulted, theirs. He 

 enjoys unlimited freedom of action ; he may go where 

 he pleases ; the water — not already occupied by another 

 boat, for he may not queer the pitch of a brother angler 

 by getting in his way — is all before him where to 

 choose, and he may fish it in the manner which seems 

 most likely to provide him with all the delight it is 

 capable of yielding. He will, however, fail in his pur- 

 pose if he permits the boat to drift broadside down the 

 wind. 



It is difficult to imagine a more unsatisfactory method 

 of managing the boat than that universally adopted on 

 our Scottish lochs. Were one in search of a means of 

 minimising the angler's success while permitting him to 

 fish, it would be hard to devise a better. It is sanc- 

 tioned by custom and tradition, but has nothing else to 

 recommend it — except to the boatman. It certainly 

 covers the water, but so imperfectly that much of it is 

 left untried, and many fish quite ready to accept the 

 lure are denied a chance of seeing it. Should a trout 

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