THE LEADER — EARLSTON. 137 



At Blainslee Bridge, the freedom of fishing is again 

 interfered with. The water skirting the estate of 

 Chappie used to be open, but a new owner has arisen 

 who knows not the sons of Izaak, and who takes after 

 the magnate of the district by preserving. The owner 

 on the other side is said to be a little more liberal. 

 After these comes the Can-olside-water, also strictly- 

 preserved. This part of the w^ater is about the best in 

 the whole river, and, as we have hinted before, the only 

 penalty that can be exacted for fishing in preserves is 

 the amount of damage caused by the trespass. Verb. 

 Sap. — never make any inquiries about boundaries. A 

 little above the village of Earlston, the restrictions of 

 grasping landowners are relaxed, and there is about 

 a mile of water open. We suspect the villagers pay a 

 good deal of attention to it. Earlston, as we have 

 mentioned, has a 'bus running daily to Melrose. The 

 remaining two miles of the Leader comprise the Cow- 

 denknowes and the Dry grange waters, both of which 

 are gamekeepered. A dam-dyke at Leader-foot pre- 

 vents salmon from ascending the stream. 



But, if we cannot fish in the rest of the Leader, 

 we may at least be allow^ed to lie down on its banks 

 and call to mind the associations that cling to them. 

 We have recommended the angler to be diligent in 

 his vocation, and, especially when there is a " take,'' 

 to direct all his energies to the capture of fish. 

 " Time 's troots," is the pithy maxim of a friend of 

 ours. But when the trout give up rising to the fly 

 or seizing the worm, let the fisher not scruple to rest 

 himself, eat his luncheon, and try his flask. And if he 

 should chance to be on Leader- aide, near the beautiful 



