A Sportsman at Large 243 



Meanwhile, as stated, I confined my personal attention 

 to the snipe and duck, and to trout and sea-fish. With the 

 last named the waters of the Orkneys teem ; big cod and 

 particularly fine haddocks offering unlimited diversion to 

 those who appreciate such side-shows as varying the monotony 

 of more orthodox sport. 



I am one of these. I look upon no form of fishing with 

 contempt and ' ' despisery . ' ' The greater the variety, the better 

 am I pleased. 



One of the most attractive features to draw me to the isles 

 of the far North was the fishing for salmo trutta in the voes 

 of the sea, of which sport I had heard wonderful accounts. 

 I was told that all I should have to do would be to await 

 the assembling of the sea-trout in " the season of the year," don 

 my waders and step out from the golden strand until within 

 casting distance of the sienna-tinted, weed-grown rocks, 

 around which the desirable fishes are wont to congregate 

 and play, and where they would, so I was assured, freely 

 partake of such delusive fare as the angler might put before 

 their noses, always provided that the said fare showed " local 

 colour " such as would appeal to their eyes and appetites. 



I have no doubt that when conditions happen to be 

 favourable, this sport is all that it is claimed to be ; but as 

 evil luck would have it, such conditions were conspicuous 

 by their absence during my sojourn at Graeme's Hall, except 

 on one notable occasion. The fact is that there had been a 

 long drought ; consequently the little burns which ran into 

 the bay at various points were almost completely dried up, 

 only a tinkling little trickle of sweet water finding its way to 

 the salt. The voes, therefore, were crystal clear, and though 

 many sea-trout some of great size were to be seen dis- 

 porting themselves therein, there was nothing doing for the 

 angler. An occasional and desultory " short rise " being all 

 that was vouchsafed throughout many days of wearisome 

 casting. 



I collected my forces and detailed them to dam up one 

 of these burns, with a view to the creation of an artificial 

 spate. When the psychological moment arrived and the flood 

 was let loose, I was to stand by with my angling outfit, 



16* 



