FISHING RIVERS. The Tay, HICH flows from Loch Tay, sends the largest quota of water to the ocean, of any river in Great Britain. I have fished up at the Falls of the Tummel and the Garry, near Blair Athol, but never with what you might call success; neither while there did I see anything done by others. In July, they say, many sea trouts and grilses are taken here after floods. There is an excellent inn at Pitlochrie, which is a very pretty village to live at, the celebrated Pass of Killicrankie being near. We were also informed that there were capital takes of trout got in Loch Broom, in the neighbourhood, and if the angler extends his journey and make his way to Loch Rannoch, a distance of some miles, Tighnalinn inn, at the head of it, will be found to be very fair quarters, and liberty to fish is soon obtained from Robertson of Struan. There are good trout, some of large size, got here by trolling, to the size of 15 lbs. Stanley. I once sojourned here for a week. It is five or six miles from Perth northwards; was much delighted with its situation and our quarters, in a small inn at the end of the village, near to the large spinning-mills. Nearly all the young population are employed in the spinning-mills, and at early morn the rest of all and sundry is unceremoniously broken at five o'clock, by the blowing of a horn from the centre of the place —and very delightful it is to see so many going so early to their daily occupations. There are some capital pools for fish both up and down here. We had the use of a boat while we fished above the Linn of Campsie, a rugged basaltic dyke, which crossed the river at this place, and is the scene where Wull o' the Wyde, in the Fair Maid of Perth, leapt across when he made his escape. The river, when I was there, was low, as I waded across with ease about half-a-mile above this Fall. We hooked large salmon both above and below this, but, owing to the ruggedness of the bed, we often lost them, the line fixing between stones lying against each other through which the fish ran and broke our line or hook, which we had the provoking satisfaction of witnessing two or three times. The river, at this part, is interesting and beautiful, and we often got into situations which the wader's eye can only be gratified with; and had we been proficients in sketching, how many delightful neuks of scenery could we have gratified our friends at home with. In this respect fishing has its pleasures. While we wade, we often bring ourselves into parts that have been seldom seen from such 1 Duchar, the smith, told us the following story, which took place here. Three young gentlemen came to fish, and, like all Londoners, were well provided with all sorts of tackle; but salmon, being their chief end, were recommended and put under his instructions. He took them to that fine stream below the mills, and they were not long in hooking a good sized grilse. After playing it for some time, one of them, who had a span new cleek or gaff, was told to gaff it when it came near the side. In vain he tried to do so, at last the smith asked him what he was fumbling about? He innocently observed, that 'if it did not open its mouth how could he gaff it;' which caused a good laugh at his expense, you may be sure. points of view, 'tis good therefore to combine both accomplishments. The mere killing fish may tire you in time, but the landscape and picturesque rocks, never, Ever charming ever new, When will the landscape tire the view? Dyer. Having now gone over most places I have fished in Scotland these last twenty-five years, I must yet add another place whither I went about eighteen years ago with a friend. I believe it is in Argyleshire and not far from Ardnamurchan, say twenty miles from Fort William. If it happens that you desire to go there, you must make your way to Glasgow, of course were you at Inverness or Elgin, you would go via Caledonian Canal. The steamer leaves the Broomielaw early in the morning, and you get to Fort William that evening; here you must rest and proceed on hire or on foot, as we did. After ferrying over the Lochy, I believe you proceed along Loch Eil,-on the road pay a tribute to the memory of that gallant man, Colonel John Cameron of the 92d Regiment, who fell at Quatre Bras in 1815, you will see his monument as you go, on the right hand near Fassifern. Continuing up the north side of the Loch, all at once Loch Shiel opens to view. You are now at the upper end, and where the Pretender was met by the Clan Cameron, a monument to whom, a M'Donald of Glenalladale has erected at his own expense. It is a fine object to see the figure looking down the Loch in such solitude. You are now at Glenfinnan inn. We fished that evening on the Loch, near the statue of Charles Edward; but the fishing we came to try was over the hill. Loch Eylt. This lies about four or five miles from the Glenfinnan inn, and is fished with boats. We wind our way up a glen. In going up this glen you will observe two beautiful sandstone dykes, in a ridge of high rocks on the right hand, the remains of some great forest, as is seen by the many decayed roots of the oak and fir trees, -one huge stump of the monarch of the wood stands yet here, and life is not yet extinct, tho' all its 'Youthful companions are faded and gone.' |