Angling in Scotland
BY WILLIAM ROBERTSON, M.D.
IF a line is drawn from Aberdeen on the East Coast to an opposite point on the West side of Scotland, the area North of that imaginary line will offer the sportsman the pick of the 'angling- territory of Scotland.
There may be said to be two specially good seasons for fishing in Scotland—spring and early summer. But those who can steal away from business during the first three or four months of the year are comparatively. few. Grand sport is to be had in February, March and April on Loch Awe, Loch Tay, Loch Ness, Loch Lubnaig, Loch Lomond and on the Awe, Tay, Beauly, Thurso, Helmsdale, Brora and Halladale. Some of these places are below the imaginary line I have suggested ; but the vast majority of holiday-seekers cannot get off until early June. It is after May that the Highlands of Scotland display their surpassing beauties; and it is in May, June and July that the angler may expect to get good sport among the brown trout on the lochs that abound in the northern counties.
Nowadays there need be no hesitation about making a 'pilgrimage to Scotland. The roads have been vastly improved, and everywhere in the Highlands the hotel proprietors are doing their best to provide comfort, quick service and good food for their guests.
The hotel charges vary from £5 5s. to £7 7s. per week. The latter sum is more likely to be charged during August than at any other period of the tourist season ; but it is not the usual tariff.
- Though the angler may have to pay an additional Ss. a day for the services of a boatman, it must be kept in mind that the numerous streams and lochs made available are free to hotel residents. Now and again an extra £1 a day is charged :for sahnon fishing. But at most of the hotels, especially in the far north, one can enjoy salmon, sea and brown trout fishing without let or hindrance or extra charge. At some of these haunts magnificent sandy, beaches add to the attractions of a holiday. -
The tourist who is " doing Scotland:" by motor must never trust to chance in August. Every hotel and boarding-house is -filled to its capacity, so that one must look ahead. With few exceptions the fishings in August are not very good. It is usually too late for brown trout. The novice who is tempted to go fishing in Scotland in August must not be discouraged if success falls far short of expectations. If he were to re- visit the same place in May, June or early July he would appreciate the great difference. In September sea trout and
• salmon may be caught in tidal waters as well as in lochs that are connected directly or indirectly with the sea. Let it be distinctly understood that every angler may without let Or hindrance fish for sea trout or salmon in tidal waters. In early spring another season of productive sea trout and salmon fishing can be promised. But the majority of the best (non- tidal) salmon fishings on :rivers are let or strictly preserved. From Inverness, from Bonar Bridge and from Lairg the main roads to the many angling resorts of the Highlands branch away to right or to left. The roads are good, in parts excellent, and at frequent intervals hotels will be found ready to receive visitors. Some of the best angling resorts of Scotland used to be beyond reach of the man of moderate means, but tile motor-car has come to remove that drawback. Coming from England, the tourist should make Edinburgh his first stopping-place. His next day's run will take him to any fishing or holiday place south of Inverness. If he is going further north he should call a halt at the northern capital. After that he is within convenient motoring reach of any High- land fishing resort. Good garages, many of whose mechanics have had good experience in the Great War, are now available even in the most remote parts of Scotland. Several Highland hotels have a multiplicity of lochs attached to them, so that the visitor is presented with a wide variety of fishings, and in some cases he can't avoid catching trout, so abundant are they.
It would be difficult to prescribe anything more soothing to the mind or more restful to an overtaxed digestion than 3 succession-of days spent in an open boat on a moorland loch far from the noise of a city and in close communion with Nature at her best.
Previous page
