THE RAID. 185 



only found elsewhere in the Forth at Stirling, is caught in 

 large quantities in this river for a few days of the month 

 of March. This fish, which is both a salt and fresh- water 

 inhabitant, and which measures some eight inches in 

 length, both tastes and smells of rushes. In the upper 

 part of its course the stream runs through a bleak and 

 dreary country, and in the lower through a rich valley 

 and well-wooded slopes and undulations. The angling 

 in this river is partly free, and partly preserved, but it is 

 not difficult to obtain permission to angle over its entire 

 length. 



The Fleet, which owes its existence to two small 

 burns known as the " Big " and " Little Fleet," rises some 

 considerable distance to the south-west of the town of 

 New Galloway in the parish of Kirkmabreck. Pursuing 

 its separate course for four or six miles, and receiving 

 several insignificant tributaries on the way, this divided 

 stream unites ; and then running in a south-westerly 

 direction, and receiving sundry additional rivulets, it falls 

 into Wigton Bay a little below the small town or village 

 of Gatehouse. There are no salmon in this river, but it is 

 reported as being richly stocked Avith sea-trout, herling, 

 and burn-trout. Like the Urr, it runs through several 

 landed estates, and is strictly preserved ; but per- 

 mission can be had from the manager of the bank in 

 Gatehouse to angle on it on the following terms, viz : — 

 For the whole season two guineas ; for the Mondays and 

 Thursdays of the season one guinea ; for one week ten 

 shillings ; for one day five shillings. A certain writer 

 when speaking of the vale of Fleet says,—" The Highlands 



