Part IV

a small round tapered lead attached. To bait, insert the lead well down the minnow's mouth, turn the tackle round, fixing the hooks in the side and the single hook through the tail. A single treble is also a good tackle and baited the same way as the single hook, and a loop of the gut hitched round the thin part of the minnow's tail. gs all about trout fishing. The Landing Net. A landing net is very essential for most rivers, and is, I think, now almost uni- versally used. There are dozens of designs on the market, but I prefer one with a good-sized rim and knuckle joints, so that when not in use it can be easily carried by slipping the handle down the inside of the creel strap or belt round the waist, thus allowing free use of both hands to wet or dry fly-fishers alike. Furthermore, it is a convenient position to carry the landing-net when negotiating awkward fences, and especially so if you are troubled by barbed-wire. The net should have a small mesh with a good depth, and can thus be used for collecting creepers and minnows. A Rod for Fly-Fishing. In small wooded streams a ten feet rod is of ample length, but on fairly open rivers, which have acquired a good volume, a A FEW HINTS ON TACKLE. 99 somewhat larger weapon is desirable. But in no case whatever should the length exceed twelve feet, and I only recommend this latter length for a vigorous man, where long casting is absolutely necessary. The rod should balance well, having a nice action (not too supple), and should be capable of throwing a good long line with- out effort. Care of Rod. Rods when put together or unmounted in their covers ought never to be placed against a wall, as they are likely to warp. The rod cover should be kept dry, there- fore it is better to carry it about as little as A possible. little vaseline occasionally rubbed on the joints of the rod, often save valuable time and trouble. Well-waxed thread, or quarter-inch broad linen tape, should always be included in the angler's equipment ; breakages may occur miles from any place of repair. 8 100 ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING. The Reel. Reels have now obtained a high standard of excellence, and being of fine mechanism, are easily put out of order. Therefore, great care should be taken to guard against knocks or falls of any kind, or coming in contact with sand. After being in use on a wet day the reel should be dismounted and thoroughly cleaned, and then rubbed gently over with a selvet and a little pure olive oil. After a day's fishing the reel line should be unwound and the wet portion dried, otherwise they soon rot. If using a fine silk line for spinning, it is most essential that the line be dried immediately each day after use. There are many line-driers on the market that prove a good investment. When the line is wound off the reel on to the winder, they may both be put away until wanted. a few hints on tackle. loi Waders. For ordinary trout-fishing stockings do very well. In purchasing waders always get a good quality; they will last twice as long as cheap materials, and give every comfort. Immediately after use, they should be turned inside out to allow all dampness to escape, and are then to be returned. Do not dry them near a fire, but in the open air, or a warm, airy room. Wading Boots or Fishing Brogues. The most durable brogues are leather soles, hand-sewn throughout, with riveted nails and canvas uppers; they should be made to lace up, in preference to straps and buckles. Boots protect the waders better than shoes, inasmuch as they keep out the sand and small stones, thus preventing chafing. Hand-knitted Shetland wool socks of a heather-coloured mixture wear well. CHAPTER IX. LOCH OR LAKE FISHING. Loch fishing, as compared with river fishing, does not require the same amount of skill to creel a fair basket ; nevertheless, it is a most enjoyable pastime, and appeals to the angler on account of the superior size and quality of the trout caught. Our old angling friends used to tell us that fly-fishing was of little avail unless there was sufficient breeze to cause a nice ripple on the water, but now our ideas on the subject are altogether different. With the use of the finest gut and improved tackle generally there are few occasions when trout may not be taken with fly on our lakes. Again, lake fishing is now becoming very popular throughout LOCH OR LAKE FISHING. IO3 the United Kingdom, and perhaps largely on account of the over-crowding of anglers on our rivers. The Equipment for the Lake. The best rod, in my opinion, for fishing from a boat is one of eleven feet in length, light, moderately stiff, and one that can be fished with either hand. If the angler intends fishing from the shore, a little longer weapon is better, and I recommend one of twelve to fourteen feet long, as the angler requires to cast farther than is necessary when using a boat. A first-class cane-built, or one entirely of green-heart, is the best description of rod. It is also most essential for the angler to choose a rod that is not in the slightest degree too heavy for continuously casting throughout the day. The best line is a waterproof silk for choice, of a greenish colour and about 50 yards in length, with a tapered tippet of 104 ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING. twisted gut or horse hair about 2J yards long, spliced to the line so that it may not catch on the rings of the rod while being reeled in. The winch is a very important part of the outfit for loch fishing, and in addition to balancing, the rod should be one of the quick-winding or multiplying reels now on the market, with an easy-going regulating check, and just sufficiently strong to pre- vent the line over-running. The ratchets on many winches are much too stiff for still-water fishing, and consequently heavy fish when hooked on fine tackle are almost a hopeless task. There are doubtless more fish and tackle lost in this respect through a too stiffly running reel than any other cause that lake anglers have to contend against. Conditions to be Considered. Many anglers do not sufficiently study the various aspects of the subject and LOCH OR LAKE FISHING. IO5 system of loch-fishing compared with the river-fisher, who has learned the cunning ways of approaching his quarry. On the contrary, they think it is quite easy to go to any loch that has been little fished and secure a basket of fish. Such, however, is not the case, and large trout are not easily captured unless scientific methods are employed. For instance, they use the same flies day after day, fishing exactly in the same way, in all sorts of lochs, in all states of water, wind, and weather, times of the day, and at any period of the angling season. Consequently they only succeed on favourable days. To attain success, study and make careful observation of the different ways the fly should be worked in varying circumstances. If there is a light breeze trout generally rise well to the fly if drawn direct and slow against the ripple, just sufliciently fast to keep the flies on the surface. If the waves are large, the flies I06 ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING. should be drawn sideways between them, or should there be a swell on it is best to sink the flies slightly below the surface and work them sideways. When to " Strike." As a general rule in loch-fishing, trout must not be struck too quickly; wait until the pull is "felt" before striking. There are, however, exceptions to every rule, and on a calm day, when the surface of the water is like a sheet of glass and fish are rising shyly, I believe in striking imme- diately the surface of the water is broken. In loch-fishing, as opposed to river-fishing, trout frequently rise to the fly as you make the first movement in lifting the flies for the backward cast. This has often occurred to the writer in using a double-handed rod and fishing from the sides, wading in. In this case, should the angler have his finger on the line, the result is disastrous, ending in lifting LOCH OR LAKE FISHING. I07 the fish a foot or two on the water and the hook tearing away. There are great differences of opinion as to how and when to "strike." This I think greatly depends on how the fish are rising and on the state of the water. However, I strongly advise the angler not to be too quick in striking. Large loch trout are nearly always slow takers, thus it is very difficult to determine the correct instant to strike when fish are rising shyly. When to Use Fine Tackle. On calm days, with bright sunshine from a cloudless sky, much depends on your tackle, and of course under these circumstances, when angling is at a dis- count, the finer the tackle the greater your chances of sport. Again, half the battle in loch-fishing is knowing the feeding-ground on which fish lie, therefore it behoves the angler to I08 ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING. observe and keep a constant look out for any fish moving. If a fairly stiff breeze is blowing, causing small waves, the gleam of trout is more easily detected near the surface of the water than the actual rise to the fly itself. If this is not known, the boat should be rowed very slowly and quietly against the wind (if the surface is tolerably smooth great care should be exercised to cause as little ripple as possible with the oars), the angler searching with a medium length of line at right angles from the stern of the boat. Should he get a rise, or observe fish feeding, let the boatman row fifty or sixty yards beyond and turn the boat and drift over the place where they were observed moving. Should he be successful, then continue short drifts in the vicinity until the rise comes to an end. In open water it is easy to follow a good fish and "play" him from the boat, but should there be weed-beds, great care must LOCH OR LAKE FISHING. lOQ be taken to coax the fish out into the open. It is also desirable in stormy weather to coax the fish to the windward, otherwise the boat is almost certain to drift over the line and foul the flies. Loch Trout in Shoals. In many of our lochs trout travel in shoals, so it is thus a wise policy to exhaust the immediate neighbourhood of rising fish in preference to moving about for better sport: a practice too frequently followed by beginners, which often ends with the result of missing "the take" when it is on. In fishing a loch when sport proves '' dead off," the ordinary method of drifting must not be too strictly adhered to, and the angler should leave no method untried. Trolling with fly sometimes works fairly well, but in this method it is advisable to use a larger-sized fly and a little stouter gut to meet the extra strain. no ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING. The boat should be rowed slowly and quietly along the windward side of the loch in about seven to eight feet of water, letting out about forty yards of line from the stern of the boat. For blow-line fishing or dapping with natural flies, the most suitable length of rod is about fifteen feet, light, yet fairly stiff. The reel must have an easy ratchet and run smoothly, the drum being well filled with backing with about seventy-five yards of fine gossamer silk spliced on, and a trace of fine gut three yards long, together with a thin wire hook. Preference for Natural Flies. The natural flies are sweetest and best when freshly gathered, and whenever possible it will repay the angler to have them collected in the early morning for the day's fishing. This can easily be done LOCH OR LAKE FISHING. Ill by employing local boys, who seem quite satisfied with a shilling or two, and they are always on the alert when anglers are about, especially in the May fly and stone- fly season. " May flies," the " Drakes " of Ireland, " stone-flies," " daddy-long-legs," and " bluebottles" work wonders by means of the blow-line proving most deadly. Being of a very delicate nature, however, they need to be carefully and judiciously handled. The yellow drake and the grey drake seem particularly attractive, and beyond doubt account for some heavy baskets of fish. While these flies are on the hatch it is simply a waste of time trying any other lure. Other insects may be gathered in the shallow water of lochs or out of any small rivulets flowing into the same, and are to be manipulated in a similar way. The natural flies that abound in the loch may be used successfully throughout the season. 112 ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING. To Use the Natural Fly. Assuming the angler is in all readiness and the boat in a favourite "drift," impale a brace of "drakes" on the hook, and thus with about five or six yards of line out hold the rod in an upright position, and with the wind at your back it will drift the line straight out. Then, when fully extended, lower your rod top and the flies will alight on the surface of the water just like the oft-quoted thistle-down. When a rise is observed, or the flies are sucked down, the merest tightening of the line is sufficient to send the hook home. It must, therefore, always be borne in mind that when using delicate tackle it is quite unnecessary to strike. When a fish is hooked, he will rush, then probably plunge out of the water. If this be so, the rod top must be instantly lowered until he regains his own element. Every care must be taken in playing a loch trout, LOCH OR LAKE FISHING. II3 as they die hard, and as a general rule prove splendid specimens of the scaly tribe. The Natural Minnow. Another tempting lure is that of trolling and spinning a natural minnow. This is best accomplished by employing a fine undressed No. i or No. 2 silk line, and I have frequently had good results in this mode of fishing on bright calm days, with a clear Italian sky and a surface on the water like glass. A similar rod used for blow-line fishing answers. The reel requires to be a largesized one, well filled with line and capable of quick winding, with sufficient space left to splice on about 150 yards of the fine lines No. i or No. 2. The spinning tackle described in the chapter on minnow fishing answers well. Row briskly but quietly along the loch, letting out the line until the whole of the 114 ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING. silk line is out, and the bait is spinning quite clear of all the wakes caused by the oars, then the boat should be rowed zig-zag. When a fish is hooked it will probably jump two or three times out of the water before settling down to fight. Then the real sport commences, and I make bold to say that the angler will have a lively, exciting time, and will imagine the fish is gone at least a dozen times during the process of winding him in. The trace should be about four feet long, with two or three swivels to ensure a good spin on the bait. Large trout invariably become solely bottom feeders, and in spinning with su'^h tempting meaty morsels five and c x pounders frequently prove victims. In rough water or with a boisterous wind blowing, a short line of about forty yards is quite sufficient for trolling. If trolling in a good depth of water the spinner requires to be well down, thus a LOCH OR LAKE FISHING. II7 with black or water-rat body; Bustard and yellow body; Orange Governor, Dark Partridge and orange; the Cinnamon, blue, olive, and jay; the Butcher and Alexandra. I may also add that small river flies, tied about three feet apart on fine gut, have been used to advantage on unfavourable days with smooth water. The size of flies to be used must be ruled according to state of water and weather, but I do not advocate too large a size, especially in reservoirs. For Dull Weather. In dull weather, or when trout are rising freely on the surface, flies imitating the natural insect are the most reliable, while during bright weather showy or silver bodied flies may be used to advantage. If the day is calm or only a slight ripple on the water, cast frequently; but, on the other Il8 ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING. hand, if a good breeze is blowing, the flies should be allowed to drift more. Fishing from the Shore. When angling from the shore ideal quarters for trout are beneath trees, near beds of reeds or weeds, or large boulders, etc., and the various lures em- ployed may be fished close into the shore. If spinning a natural minnow, trout frequently chase it from the deeper water and do not attempt to seize the bait until it is close into the shore, when they make a dash and seize the lure almost at your feet. Angling from the shore with worm is another branch in loch fishing, but I am not personally in favour of this phase of the sport. However, on bright or stormy days, it sometimes accounts for a brace or two of fish, so I only recommend worm fishing as a last resource. The angler is required to cast a long line LOCH OR LAKE FISHING. IIQ with worm on a single hook; a desirable spot is where the worm can sink in the water as it deepens quickly. Then draw the line slowly, in little short jerks, to the shore. Should a fish nibble allow the line to remain until you feel him again, before striking. THE WALTER SCOTT I'UBl.ISHING CO., LTD., FELLING-ON-TVNE. A I/- EDITION OF THIS WORK is included in the " useful Red" Series. RETURN CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT TOi"-^ 202 Main Library LOAN PERIOD 1 2 3 HOME USE 4 5 (S ALL BOOKS MAY BE RECALLED AFTER 7 DAYS 1 -month loans may be renewed by calling 642-3405 6-month loans may be recharged by bringing books to Circulation Desk Renewals and recharges may be made 4 days prior to due date DUE AS STAMPED BELOW m "'=' 5 �DECEIVE ^D L -�-ui^]-10, ^ D.r. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY FORM NO. DD6, 60m, 3/80 BERKELEY, CA 94720 �$ ID UO I / WRITE FOR HMMfNS' J i .. �; i V 1 <^ i^ AND ANGLER^S GUIDE. \ Magnificeni: Publication of over 200 pa^^es, nate;^ of Sahiiou aiul I'roat Fiios, SENT FREE. .e liiofhest OuclUty at M^^ GCGD TACKLE fi^EAf3f) SUeSSSS. O r !\ ;T R 'T T 1\ T ,hlug Tackle Make? (i:)i;;T. a), BISHOP AIjCKL,A STABLia