LOCH-FISHING 



151 



other. The majority of our trout streams are, to be 



sure, small and comparatively shallow, but the trout in 



the loch are not found in the depths, but in water not 



more than six or eight feet deep. In loch-fishing we 



habitually employ flies much too large. It is true that 



they kill, for they do not exceed in size many of the 



insects familiar to the fish, but 



they are, I think, less fatal than 



those employed upon the stream. 



Large flies are of value only 



when the sea is high ; small flies 



in any condition of the water. 



In a calm the employment of the 



latter is imperative ; in a breeze 



they serve the angler's purpose 



quite as efficiently as the former. 



The trout is keen of sight and detects the presence of 



the smallest object even on the crest of a breaking wave. 



Even thoug-h the ano^ler fail to raise more fish to the 



smaller flies, he will probably secure more, for, since 



they do not so readily betray their character, the trout 



accept them in greater confidence and are less likely to 



come short to them. 



I am in the habit of fishing a little loch of which it 

 was, at one time, confidently said, that the great, full- 



