428 THE SALMON RIVERS OF SCOTLAND 



distance, the gradient being naturally very easy. About a 

 mile out of the town the Cluden joins at the right bank, and 

 here the picturesque ruins of Lincluden Abbey stand. 



The Cluden in its upper part is called the Cairn water, but 

 at Moniaive three head streams unite, the Dalwhat, the Craig- 

 darroch, and the Castlefern waters. From the source of the 

 first to Lincluden Abbey is about 25 miles. It is a fine stream 

 throughout, with good running water, all but about the last 

 mile, which is somewhat flat. A footbridge crosses at about 

 the head of this quiet water, and a footpath follows the left 

 bank. The main road crosses about a mile further up. Trout, 

 salmon, and grayling are caught in the Cluden. 



The Dumfries and Maxwelltown Angling Association share 

 a deal of this water with the Galloway Angling Promotion and 

 Protection Club. The former rent the Lincluden salmon 

 fishing, and the Jardineton and Ashyholm sections further up, 

 which are chiefly looked upon as trouting and grayling water. 

 The members of the latter do not, so far as I know, specially 

 seek salmon fishing, but have trouting rights on about 7 miles 

 of water from Stepford, which is about 7 miles up from the 

 mouth ; they fish both banks down to near the Irongray bridge, 

 and then the right bank at Terregles and the Grove. 



Cluden Mill is situated at a bend of the river where an 

 irregular ridge of rocky ledges occur. From the highest part, 

 situated out in the stream, wooden barriers have been erected 

 to each bank so as to form a mill-dam dyke. It is not a serious 

 obstruction, but required a pass. 



Next above this comes the so-called Cluden Cruive. This 

 till lately was a quite unique sort of engine. A heck was run 

 right across the river, at an island which occurs, and at the point 

 of main water-flow a gap was formed into which an iron cage 

 with an inverted mouth and no possible exit was lowered by 

 means of a short iron crane. The iron cage has now been 

 done away with, and the cruive conforms to the usual type. 

 In addition to this the cruive is not now fished more than a 

 few times a year. Just above the cruive hecks, a low and 

 smooth weir about 2 feet in height occurs. This is the West 

 Mill dyke, now provided with a gap. 



The next obstruction is the natural waterfall at the Gribton 

 Rocks. In two rocky holes close to the left bank, below the 



