234 SALMON FISHING IN THE TWEED 



when the water was thick. Their testimony I do 

 not doubt ; I only say fish are not caught with the 

 worm, or bait, as it is called, when the water is in 

 a foul state in Tweed. I remember a gentleman 

 applying to me for leave to take a day's salmon 

 fishing, which I granted. There had been rain 

 the day before, and a spate came down in the 

 morning. I thought this unlucky ; but he was of 

 the contrary opinion, and rejoiced in the change ; 

 " For," said he, " if I sit on the point of a cairn, I 

 shall catch every travelling fish that passes with a 

 worm, as I have often done in Ireland." This was 

 a new fight to Charles Purdie and myself. Worms 

 were given him in abundance ; an excellent cairn 

 selected for the sport ; and there my gentleman 

 sat the livelong day without having an offer. Old 

 Richard Wilson could have introduced him into the 

 landscape with effect, for he was picturesque and 

 well placed ; but as a fisherman, says Charlie, " he 

 is useless a'thegither." However, the cairn is a laud- 

 able monument of his patience and perseverance. 



FISHING WITH MINNOW AND PARR's TAIL 



Salmon do not take the minnow or the parrs 

 tail so well in the Tweed as they do in the Tay, 

 nor so well in the upper parts of Tweed as they do 

 in the lower. The minnow, in low water, is prefer- 

 able to the parr's tail ; and it should be worked in 

 the same manner as in trout fishing, only not quite 

 with so quick a motion. It is not necessary to use 

 more than two hooks ; namely, the large hook that 

 passes through the minnow, and the lip hook. 



