June 10, 1893] 
THE FISHING GAZETTE 
439 
correspondingly np again. Leb me show how all 
this would work, and I feel sure that no gentle¬ 
man will ever tolerate it. Quantity of trout 
taken, say thirteen trout, weighing 61b., but the 
basket weighs dlb. or 21b. (mine, with india-rubber 
lining, straps, and rings for working my landing 
net, weighs nearly 4ib). Trout actually taken, 
61b.; basket, 31b , more or less ; add false weight 
given by the dodge mentioned, say 21b.; so-called 
basket of fisb, llib.! or more !! 
This becomes ludicrous when very few trout 
are weighed in a big heavy creel like mine. 
I feel that I have the entire body of the Fly- 
fishers’ Club with me in exposing this. The 
gdlies like to crow over one another, and very 
often their masters take up a similar idea— 
arcades aniho when it comes to that. 
It was during this trip that I made the 
acquaintance of the late Mr. Francis Francis, 
and indeed spent a day showing him all the best 
places, whilst he fished the river. 
I also fished the river Gaur one day, Archie 
Dewar my henchman. This river, after flowing 
through the dreary moor of Rannoch, enters 
Loch Rannoch at its head, eleven miles from 
where the Tummel emerges. But, oh! what a con¬ 
trast ! The River Gaur is mossy, and the trout 
taken with the fly that day by me were perfect 
trash. I also fi.shed the little loch through which 
it flows—not Loch Lydoch, but the lower one— 
and with a very sorry result. 
Some enormous trout go up the Gaur from the 
loch to spawn in the autumn, and are occasionally 
taken with worm and minnow, or large flies—but 
for a honest day’s fly-fishing ! I confess I was 
utterly disappointed and disgusted with this, the 
only day I ever had there. 
I may just add, os a canlion, that men who 
cannot swim should not attempt wading in order 
to fish large or small lochs. It is impossible 
often to see the depth, especially when a good 
wind is “ on,” and in some of them there is only 
one step from two or three feet into water ten or 
twenty feet deep. A man who keeps cool and can 
swim may then struggle ashore, unless he bogs 
in deep moss or mud, in which case he will have 
to make up his mind to become a resident. 
If his basket is full of trout—even if he can 
swim and the bottom is sound and firm—he will 
find it no easy matter to keep his wind whilst he 
struggles (as he keeps sinking) to get the shoulder- 
strap over his head, and so get rid of his basket; 
but a swimmer, unencumbered with a heavy creel, 
has a very good chance of getting ashore, unless 
he ge's into a mud or peat bottom. 
It was after my experience in Loch Griam that 
I invented and introduced “ Mr, Tod’s safety 
buckle ” ; but, although nothing would tempt nE 
ever to wade without one, I fear that one cannot 
get river and loch fishermen who, like me, are 
fond of wading, to exert themselves in order to 
give this more than a passing thought. The risk 
comes but seldom, and yet Mr. Piscator, one of 
these days might be in the position of the fly in 
the old proverb (Yorkshire possibly) — “• Hoo 
sweet—hoo vara sweet is life, as th' flee said when 
he stuck in t’ treacle pot.” 
Fancy going to pot for lack of a certain 
buckle i A good many were sold by Gillett, of 
Fetter-lane, I believe, and if any other fishing 
tackle maker in the North cares to see my own 
he is welcome to a sight of it—need I say without 
any tax save the postage ? It would be an awful 
sell if I should stick in t’ treacle pot myself 
after all, buckle and all; but I back myself to get 
rid of the basket if I have only half a chance. 
{To he continued.) 
Charge of Stealing Salmon. — At South¬ 
ampton, James Channell, water bailiff to Mr. 
Montagu, M.P., was charged with stealing his 
employer’s salmon. It was shown that a great 
proportion of the fish caught had been sold 
privately by the defendant, and not accounted 
for. He was fined b'5 and costs. 
The Best Glue to have in the House. —Those 
of our readers who have not yet done so shou:d 
try Le Page’s Liquid Fish Glue, and get the 
genuine, as there are imitations of little value 
comparatively. It is a most handy thing to have 
in the house—always strong, always ready, 
and always pleasant to use. It will mend any¬ 
thing. 
GLENGJ^Al^RY AS AN ANGLING 
RESORT. 
By John M. Aitchison. 
It is now an undisputed fact that the Highlands 
of Scotland can compare favourably with places 
of greater repute onThe Continent and elsewhere, 
from the ever increasing number of pleasure 
seekers which avail themselves of the facilities 
placed at their disposal for travelling by road, 
rail, and steamer. The influx of tourists to the 
Highlands during the summer and autumn months 
is very great, and the reason is not far to seek, as 
I shall endeavour to explain. In the Highlands 
can be found the most beautiful and varied scenery 
which, coupled with its pure bracing air, com¬ 
mends itself to either the worn-out city man in 
search of solitude and repose after the turmoil 
and anxiety of business matters, or those on 
pleasure bent. Especially to the angler is it 
applicable, as a great deal of attention is given to 
improving the quality of its fishing on a good few 
of its already famed lochs, rivers, and streams. 
If a salmon angler, and can conveniently get off 
in the spring months, there are some excellent 
waters free to visitors at the better appointed 
hotels. Loch Ness, for instance, can be trolled 
on free if fished by anglers staying at any of the 
hotels along its shores. The same can be applied 
to Loch Awe. Then there are the Dee, Tay, 
Carron, Shin, and a host of other waters the sport 
obtained on either of which will amply repay 
a visit. 
The portion of the Highlands I mean to refer 
to in this article is Glengarry. It lies in the 
centre of Inverness-shire, and borders on the 
Caledonian Canal. Historically it is rendered 
famous from having been in the feudal times the 
seat of the Macdonells of Glengarry, to which 
the Glengarry bonnet owes its origin. It is 
prettily situatedon the banks of the famous salmon 
angling river the Garry, and on the north-west 
end of Loch Oich. 
Loch Oich—one of the three lochs which form 
the Caledonian Canal—is about four miles long 
by a furlong in breadth, and has an elevation of 
100ft. above sea level. It is studded with several 
very pretty islands, and is surrounded by scenery 
which unites the majesty of Alpine grandeur with 
the softest sylvan beauty. The refreshing green 
of the hills and the blending of wood and water 
go to make up an exquisite picture, and has often 
been compared to some of the most picturesque 
portions of the Rhine. There are several very 
interesting sights in the Glen, such as the ruins 
of Glengarry Castle and “ Tohar net Ceann,” or 
the Well of the Heads. The hotel is first-class, 
of modern design, and every convenience can be 
had. There is a large staff of efficient gillies to 
be got on the shortest of notice. 
Far be it from me to endeavour to initiate the 
reader into the mysteries of the gentle art, but if 
I can engender a taste for the art, by showing the 
liberty of the angler, and by promoting a love for 
the vernal landscape, blue skies, and sunny 
evenings, when the birds are twittering above the 
banks of some favourite stream, and the flies 
dropping on the softly rippling surface to be 
devoured by the voracious trout, then my task is 
rewarded. 
The angling, boih salmon, trout andSalmoferox, 
is second to none in the Inverness-shire High¬ 
lands, in fact I might say the Highlands. 
The River Garry, which flows Out of Loch Garry, 
and after a course of about three miles falis into 
Loch Oich, is for its length one of the best spring 
salmon rivers in Scotland. It and Loch Oich 
were held on lease for a great number of years by 
the late G. Crossfield, Esq., of Warrington. After 
his death the late James Wilson, Esq , a Liver¬ 
pool gentleman held th ■ lease, and on his death, 
which occurred two years ago, it was rented by 
John Balfour, Esq., of Balbirnie, who is the 
present tenant. Owing to some reason or other 
Mr. Balfour has not fished it yet, but has sub-let 
it, to Lord Berkeley Paget. The angling opens on 
February 11 (but in the writer’s opiaiou it should 
open a fortnight earlier, as it can be proved to 
have as early a migration as any river in Scot¬ 
land). It affords excellent sport up to the end of 
Juno. There are some splendid pools in the 
Garry, all of which can be fished without the aid 
of waders. This in itself is a great recommenda¬ 
tion and boon to the angler. Tbe favourite flies 
are the famous Jock Scott, Butcher, and Durham 
Rang-r. The Beauly has also proved a good 
killing fly. 
Loch Oich is always trolled from a boat, and 
excellent sport is invariably got. A fine day’s 
sport during the months of February, March, 
and April, yields on an average five salmon, 
but the writer has on different occasions seen 
eleven fish landed in one day by one gentleman, 
—six, seven and eight being a common occurence. 
The heaviest fish caught on Iioch Oicb, so far as 
lam aware, was one of .381b. The salmon are 
noted for their gameness, fine flavour, and 
beautiful shape. The most deadly lures are— 
the red phantom for the early spring, then the 
red with gold belly and the brown and gold; 
then later' in the season the blue bas proved a 
fine killer. Carter and Peek’s wagtail minnows 
are also used sometimes with success. The usual 
length of line is 2”» yards on the inside, and 
about 35 on the inside rod. The fish got on 
Loch Oich and the River Garry for the past few 
years have averaged 151b , which is certainly an 
exceptional average. 
The trout fishing in the vicinity is first-class 
during the summer months, and anglers staying 
at Invergarry Hotel can enjoy the sport free. 
Loch Garry is about six miles long, and 
abounds with fair average trout. Salmo Jerox is 
also got here. The average basket for a day’s 
sport is about four or five dozen trout and, 
perhaps, one or two Salmo ferox —the former 
averaging fully Alb., the latter from 31b. to 41b. 
For Salmo ferox angling a trolling rod is neces¬ 
sary, line and minnows—the natural minnow 
being the most deadly. This fish generally plays 
with a fine dash, and the sport is often preferred 
to salmon angling. The flies used on Loch 
Garry are various, but if the trout are on the 
feed they are not at all particular to a fly. There 
are a number of boats on the loch for the use of 
anglers. The only drawback to this loch is its 
being situated about three miles from the hotel. 
Loch-a-Bhaine (Loch Milk) and Loch Lundie 
are both good for trout fishing. Permission to 
fish the latter is required from Mr. Malcolm, 
factor on the Glengarry estate, which is very 
seldom refused. It is preserved by Mrs. Ellice 
for the use of her guests in the autumn se ison. 
THREE ^^JOCK SCOTTS.” 
By E. M. Ton. 
Mr. Hugh Fraser in the Fishing Gazette of 
to-day (May 20, 1893) mentions ray name in 
connection with that famous fly, which has 
probably killed as many salmon as any fly ever 
invented, the “Jock Scott.” I said in a recent 
article that I had often seen the inventor of this 
salmon slayer, and, I may add, that I never spoke 
to him in my life, for all that. 
Your other correspondent, Mr. Arthur Mitchell, 
has conferred a ’ooon on all salmon fishermen by 
sending to the Fishing Gazette the obituary notice 
which appeared in the Berwlcl'shire News. I 
have every reason to believe that it is authentic. 
I should like to tell in detail the story, as it 
was told to me, of “ Jock Scott’s ” first introduc¬ 
tion to Lord John Scott, and but for which the 
fly never would have been thought of in all 
probability. Lord John was taking a country 
walk during which he met a lad, who, it now 
appears, was then in the service of the Marquis 
of Lothian, and aged fifteen, and whose face 
attracted Lord John’s notice. Asked his name, 
the lad replied, “Jock Scott, sir.” Lord John 
replied, “I’m ‘Jock Scott’ myseF,” adding, 
“ Would you like to enter my service ?” The lad 
said '■ Yes,” and the bargain was made on the 
spot, which lasted till the death of the noble lord. 
I lived for ab mt two years near his small house, 
“ Kirkbank,” and where Lord and Lady John 
Scott often resided. It was a hunting and shoot¬ 
ing box, and was close to the side of the River 
Teviot. This goes back from 1859 to 1861 inclu¬ 
sive, and I often saw Jock Scott—and his master 
occasionally—in these early days. 
Lord John took an immense liking to him, 
making him at one time his fisherman, at another 
time his valet, and taking him wherever he went. 
He likewise had him trained to *' the gloves,” and 
a man who knew told me that when Lord John 
