358 TAY AND ITS TRIBUTARIES. 



lure sufficiently to deceive them. The mode of fishing 

 here, however, although perhaps rendered requisite, is 

 not altogether in accordance with the notions of true 

 sportsmen. Instead of being used as an implement of 

 craft and skill, the rod properly tackled is simply laid 

 astern of the boat, which is rowed gently up and across 

 the current, so as to impart a certain extent of motion 

 to the fly. There is little or no attempt at casting a 

 line, and the sole demand upon the angler's skill 

 extends to the management of the fish, on its being 

 hooked or rather after hooking itself, without any in- 

 tervention on his part. I have captured with minnow 

 excellent trout on that portion of Tay, which succeeding 

 the Linn of Campsie, progresses towards Perth. It ap- 

 pears to me, that they are found in greater abundance 

 here than in any other part of its course. 



After Isla, the only other rivers of note which empty 

 themselves into Tay are the ALMOND and EARN. The 

 former of these, about twenty years ago, was much fre- 

 quented by whitlings, but they are now comparatively 

 scarce, at least in the upper portions of the river and 

 above Buchanty. Almond abounds in small trout, 

 especially in the Glen which is of a highly romantic 

 character. I have frequently fished there and enjoyed, 

 if not the sport, at least the scenic attractions of that 

 part of the stream. Small pike are very numerous in 

 the Tay, at the mouth of the Almond. Some years 

 ago, no fewer than seventy of these fish were captured, 

 at one draught of the drag-net. 



EARN, which joins the Tay several miles below Perth, 

 issues from Loch Earn, a beautiful expanse of water, 

 measuring in length about seven miles, and of the depth, 

 in some places, of one hundred fathoms. This lake 

 contains abundance of fine trout, and there is ample 



