BIGGAR WATER, LYNE, MANOR. 321 



few indeed by the rod, but in considerable numbers, by 

 means of the spear or leister. The burn-trout are 

 very abundant, but except in the main river, seldom 

 attain the weight of half a pound. After passing 

 Crook, and pursuing its way down to Kachan and 

 Drummelzier, Tweed is joined by the Biggar water, a 

 stream well known to the angler, containing trout of 

 considerable size, and excellent in point of flavour. At 

 B/achan, there are two small lakes ; one stocked with 

 trout and the other with perch. Near its junction with 

 the Biggar water, Tweed is six hundred and fifteen 

 feet above the level of the sea. After proceeding seven 

 miles, it is entered by the Lyne, a considerable stream, 

 much frequented by the fly-fisher. During this por- 

 tion of its course, it has descended sixty-five feet. Its 

 average declivity from Tweedsmuir is about twelve feet 

 per mile. After Lyne, Tweed passing through Peer 

 bles-shire, successively receives the Manor-water above 

 Neidpath castle, the Eddleston at Peebles, the Quair 

 at Traquair, Leithen at Innerleithen, not to mention 

 several other petty feeders. All these, more particu- 

 larly the Manor-water, swarm with small trout, while 

 the main river on the occasion of large floods is visited, 

 during autumn and winter, by the migratory sal- 

 monidce. 



It is not, however, until it reaches Ashiestiel, seve- 

 ral miles below Innerleithen, that Tweed is looked 

 upon by salmon-fishers with much regard. Higher up, 

 the fish killed with the rod are comparatively few, and 

 these, most of them, in execrable condition. It is very 

 seldom that what are termed clean salmon push so far, 

 without halt or stay, during which they lose altogether 

 their fine external appearance. Should large floods, 

 however, occur in the months of August, September, 



