384 THE SALMON RIVERS OF SCOTLAND 



whole is strictly preserved. For the most part the Ruel is a 

 pleasant running stream of stony character, with pools at the 

 many bends ; but near Ormidale House some quieter stretches 

 occur amongst trees and meadow land. This is the most 

 productive water to the angler. 



Sea-trout are much more numerous than salmon, but when 

 conditions of water-flow and weather are right sport is often 

 very good. In a mild and rainy season fish begin to run in 

 June, but as a rule July is the month when regular fishing 

 commences. The late Colonel Burnley Campbell kindly 

 furnished me with the catch for the Ormidale water during 

 thirteen years. The average is 34 salmon and 490 sea-trout. 



Like most Argyllshire streams, the Ruel is a good deal 

 dependent on rain for successful angling, but, as most people 

 know, this part of the country is not generally deficient in this 

 blessing. No end of little burns run straight down the steep 

 hills on either side of the glen. They can show all along the 

 slopes like parallel threads of silver filigree ; yet in warm 

 summer weather, or during that more beautiful season when 

 the bracken is red and a sharp frost nips the glittering hill- tops, 

 scarce a trickle is to be seen. 



The average weight of the salmon is about 8| lb., and fish 

 from 7 to 10 lb. are usual. The heaviest weights obtained are 

 23 lb. and 22 lb. The late Colonel Burnley Campbell has on 

 one occasion got seven salmon in a day, weighing 53 lb. (19th 

 October). With sea- trout his sport has also, at times, been 

 very good. On two consecutive days (1st and 2nd August) 

 he had one year 56 and 41, and a few days afterwards 54 sea- 

 trout. The average weight is about 1 lb., but nine sea- trout 

 weighing 22| lb. is the score of one day in July. 



Loch Ridden used to be netted pretty hard, and a small river 

 like the Ruel soon suffers, if the fish congregating at the mouth 

 are systematically prevented ascending. Of late years, how- 

 ever, the importance of removing the nets has been fully 

 realised, and nothing now interferes with the free run of fish 

 for the angler. The netting rental is paid, but the nets are not 

 used. 



