LOCH-FISHING 145 



the faintest indication of a rise, but he refused me an 

 opportunity of repairing my mistake. He had, how- 

 ever, put me on the alert, and I began to fish with 

 circumspection and in hope. 



I was fishing fine, but, though convinced that my 

 preconceptions of the character of the trout in the loch 

 had been absurdly far astray, I did not change my cast 

 It was, I thought, sound enough to withstand any strain 

 to which it was likely to be subjected, and the light, 

 uncertain wind scarcely stirred the surface of the water. 

 There was reason to fear that, in the circumstances, 

 even the most delicate of gut would challenge the at- 

 tention of the trout and excite their apprehension. But, 

 as it proved, there was no occasion for concern ; my 

 flies were accepted with a confidence that was touching, 

 and before I left the tarn five great fish had succumbed 

 to their seduction. They were a revelation to me. I 

 had anticipated small, dark, unsightly trout not worth 

 the trouble their pursuit involved ; those I found were 

 large, well-conditioned, and beautifully bright in colour. 

 Of the possibilities of the loch my gillie, to be sure, was 

 well aware, but, probably with the object of springing 

 a surprise on me, he had kept his knowledge carefully 

 concealed. 



But though a delight to the eye, on the hook the 



