168 SALMON FISHING 



Low had written to his boatman, John Aitken, to 

 give me full use of his rods, lines, flies, and boats, 

 and had, moreover, instructed his boatman to exert 

 himself to the utmost to give me good sport. We 

 arrived at the boat-house cottage on the evening of 

 the 14th, and at daylight on the 15th I commenced 

 fishing at the rapid stream immediately below the 

 ruined tower of Littledean ; and during the day I 

 killed twelve salmon, weighing from 4 Ibs. to 16 J Ibs. 

 The three largest weighed 14 Ibs., 15J Ibs., and 

 16 J Ibs. The wind was from the west ; the sky clear, 

 with occasional passing clouds. 16th. Wind south- 

 west. Killed six salmon, from 4J Ibs to 6 Ibs. 17th. 

 The wind westerly ; cloudy ; and the Tweed clear 

 and in fine condition for sport. This day I killed 

 no less than seventeen salmon, weighing from 4J Ibs. 

 to 17 J Ibs. The largest gave great play, and it 

 was fully twenty minutes from the time of hooking 

 him until he was safely on the bank. Another I 

 happened to hook in the side, and he took me down 

 the stream a quarter of a mile before I could land 

 him. 18th. Killed eight salmon; average weight 

 of the three largest was 12 Ibs. Wind easterly. 

 20th, Monday. Fished nearly all day, and killed six 

 salmon, the two largest weighing 11 f Ibs. and 14 Ibs. 

 This day I hooked eight fish besides those I killed, 

 and lost them after a less or more run ; and this was 

 the more remarkable as on the previous days I lost 

 very few in that way. On the 21st I returned to 

 Edinburgh, having killed in five days' fishing forty- 

 nine salmon, which was considered remarkably good 



