52 THE TROUT ARE RISING 



Duke himself, " frae this verra bridge, hookit a 

 big saumon, and, what is more, he catch't 'um ! " 

 The spot where the gillie climbed down to gaff 

 the fish was pointed out. 



My journey took me next day from Langholm 

 to Canonbie. From Canonbie you can fish both 

 the Border Esk and the Liddle on payment, and 

 sport can be had with salmon, sea-trout, and the 

 herling, if the water is right ; though that's the 

 rub with all big rivers. Brown trout there are 

 also, but it is the sea-trout which is chiefly sought, 

 Canonbie way. You see or meet the enthusiast 

 principally at the darkening, which, in the summer, 

 seems longer delayed the farther north you go. 

 Very acute are sea-trout ; so are these Scottish 

 anglers. If they don't get any, then nobody else 

 stands much chance. From youth up they have 

 known the river, an asset of inestimable value, 

 and they have closely studied the habits of the 

 fish. They are well aware that the sea-trout is 

 unsettled when a storm is coming. After rain 

 the fishers shrewdly make for the neck of the 

 pool. Adept both with clear water worm and fly, 

 they fish hard. They are out not so much to 

 admire the scenery as to catch sea-trout It is 

 an eerie business, this sea-trout fishing at night, 

 peering into the darkness, and casting, casting, in 

 hope. But you carry on cheerily. Sometimes 

 you are the recipient of a whispered, comradely 

 greeting. If you rise a sea-trout, and get him 

 attached, one of the bull-dog type with a touch 

 of greyhound for speed, you will pronounce it 



