ETIQUETTE OF LOCH-FISHING.
Politeness is politeness all the world over, and in loch-fishing it is
particularly to be practised. The gentle art is peculiarly adapted for
gentlemen,--using the word in its truest sense,--and the true angler
will never be mistaken for anything else. In the Club to which we have
the honour to belong, there are certain rules which would commend
themselves naturally to any one of us; but in order that these may be
clear and well defined, they are circulated annually, and are in
themselves so admirable that we cannot do better than quote them:--
"1. No boat shall be entitled to take position in front of any other
boat which shall have already begun drifting, at a less distance
than three hundred yards.
"2. Any competitor intending to drift a bay already in possession of
another competitor shall be obliged to take position behind, or on
the outside of and in a line with the latter, but at such a distance
as not to interfere with the boat first in possession of the drift.
"3. In cases where boats are changing water, it shall not be
admissible for any boat so doing to go between the shore and any
other boat drifting close thereon."
These rules, as may be inferred, refer to club competitions in
particular, but they are made the standard upon all occasions where
there is any chance of their becoming applicable. So much indeed have we
got into the way of regarding these rules,--strict as they are,--that we
observe them even when meeting with strangers on any loch in any part of
the kingdom. And pay special attention, if you happen to be trolling in
the neighbourhood, never to interfere with the drift on which a
fly-fisher is engaged. Nothing is more unbecoming, as it disturbs the
water which is his by right, if he has begun to drift; and it is an
unwritten rule that the fly-fisher should generally be allowed the first
of the ground, as his style of fishing does not make the same commotion
as a trolling boat and tackle do. Very few of us but have experienced
the annoyance of a minnow-boat crossing our drift when we were
fly-fishing; and though we had no redress, and could make no remarks
without lowering ourselves to the level of our offenders, we have, like
the nigger's parrot, "thought a mighty lot." Do not hesitate to put
yourself out of your way to help a neighbour in distress. He may have
hooked a large fish and be unprovided with a gaff: if you have one let
him have it instantly, taking his directions from which side you are to
approach him; and never let the loss of a few minutes, more or less,
deter you from following the golden rule of doing to him as you would
expect him to do to you were you similarly placed. And, as it sometimes
happens where boats are scarce and anglers many, when you are in the
same boat with a stranger, see that you confine yourself strictly to
your own share of the water, not making casts which endanger "fankling"
for the mere sake of covering a little more water with your flies.
Should you have a fly that is taking better than any other of your own
or his, offer him one; and in general try to make the day's fishing one
as much for the cultivation of goodwill and the promotion of
good-fellowship as for the mere sake of making a basket. A churlish
angler is an unnatural phenomenon, and, thank Providence! they seldom
turn up. A man who can look upon the beautiful scenery amid which he
takes his pleasure,--and there is none finer in the world than our
Scottish lochs and their surroundings,--and not feel grateful to the
Giver of all good, and at peace with all mankind, ought to burn his rod,
singe his flies, and only associate with men like himself.
If the introduction of this chapter into our book will have the effect
of creating a better understanding on the etiquette of loch-fishing
between brothers of the angle, the object for which it was written will
have been accomplished--and, let us hope, a large amount of goodwill
thereby promoted.