EARLY BURN FISHING 47 



cleaner, and the trout are prettier ; the feeding is 

 richer, and the trout are less gaunt, and less harsh 

 of taste. Many of them visit the open water, 

 where they grow to a greater size, and may be- 

 come red in the flesh. 



The burn forms another lake, and issues as a 

 " water." This name seems to be peculiarly Scots. 

 The breadth is just as far as a skilful caster can 

 send his tail-fly. Trout-fishing is at its maximum 

 here. If the water is still, the fish become fat, 

 rich, and lazy too lazy often for sport, rising to 

 several pounds in weight ; if the water is rapid, 

 they are long, muscular, and numerous, averaging 

 a half, sometimes not more than a quarter of a 

 pound. All things else being equal, the trout of 

 still streams are the more delicate. 



The water passes through another lake three 

 is the typical number and issues as a river, where 

 salmon reign, and trout take a second place. 



Such is a brief account of most of the great 

 rivers in Scotland the Tay, with its tributary the 

 Tummel ; the Forth, with its tributary the Teith. 



These four stages correspond with childhood, 

 boyhood, youth, and maturity, and should prove an 

 excellent angler's guide, Nature's hint as to the true 

 course of development. He will be the most per- 



