THE T\VF.K13 — BIGGAR-WATEK. 5^ 



lieslied. Salmon follow it up for only a few miles, for 

 when " the monarch of the tide" enters the fresh water, 

 lie is on the outlook for gravel- beds, and does not care 

 for rich feeding. We believe, however, that the best 

 part of Biggar- water has been spoilt by a practice that 

 has become too prevalent — that of straightening water- 

 courses, in order to gain meadow-land, and to guard 

 against overflows. Probably, however, a delicate fly- 

 fisher or a dexterous spinner of the minnow will yet be 

 rewarded for a little patience and effort in a water that 

 had so high a character. Holms-water takes its rise 

 behind Culter-fell, on the borders of Lanarkshire, and 

 flows through a delightfully pastoral vale. It will well 

 repay half a summer's-day w4th the worm. Brough ton- 

 burn and Kilbucho-burn are also within reach from 

 Radian Mill, and there are inns at both Broughton and 

 Kilbucho, at which the accommodation is, we believe, 

 excellent. 



Here let us, before rejoining the Tweed, state a rule 

 which we believe will very generally be found to hold 

 good in respect to fishing in burns. For the first half- 

 mile or so from their confluence with the main stream 

 they seldom contain many trout. We can only ac- 

 count for this by supposing that the trout which run 

 up them from the larger streams during floods, and 

 which chiefly stock these burns, do not stop until they 

 have gone some distance. It is so with the Tweed 

 itself, as regards salmon ; for there are seldom, except 

 after long droughts, fish lying in the river within 

 several miles of the sea. The burn-angler, therefore, 

 would do well not to be discouraged if he should meet 

 with but little success at first, even in likely pools ; 



