32 THE SONG OF THE REEL. 



These mountain tarns give the best sport when their surface 

 is ruffled by the winds of heaven ; whilst rough and stormy weather 

 during the summer months is most advantageous to the angler. 

 Perhaps a breeze is necessary in order that success may be com- 

 manded ; and it is fortunate that these waters, owing to their 

 position in the high hills, are often affected by wind when lakes in 

 the lowlands are sheltered and placid. 



Should a boat be at hand, the toil of the day will be greatly 

 decreased, and a larger extent of water covered accordingly. But 

 fishing from the bank is both pleasant and remunerative ; and the 

 angler will not have to rely upon the proficiency of the attendant in 

 the management of the craft to complete his triumph, or embitter 

 his failure, as the case may be. 



In the small bays indenting the rocky shores, around the tiny 

 promontories projecting into the water, and where sundry little rills 

 and streams pour their contributions into the tarn, will be found the 

 sportive trout, eager, if they be in a feeding humour, to seize upon 

 the flies deftly cast from the bank, One day the angler may dis- 

 cover the trout rising well in the bays that lie here and there around 

 the edge of the tarn ; but on the occasion of his next visit the spots 

 from which he previously filled his basket may not produce a single 

 fish, whilst the places that were unproductive when last he gave 

 them a trial, now prove veritable " living waters." 



Despite the fact that many of the lakes are deep, and that, in 

 some instances, there is a sheer drop of six, ten, or more feet from 

 the very margin of the shore, there are many others where shallow 

 water extends for some distance from the side. The prevailing 

 feature of these latter lakes renders wading possible, and, accord- 

 ingly, beneficial, since the angler is enabled to fish at a distance 

 unattainable from the bank. This, of course, involves the carrying 

 of extra impedimenta. It is not wise to attempt to climb to the 

 lake in waders, for not only would the angler be greatly hampered 

 by them, but also the frequent repetition of such usage would 

 mean ruination to the waders themselves. Stockings, socks and 

 brogues can, however, be placed in a haversack ; and, slinging his 



