THE URCHAY. 41 1 



has become scarce, and a good specimen can only be 

 obtained after much perseverance. The charr frequent 

 the extreme end of the lake, where the outlet is said 

 at one time to have been. The salmon generally push 

 upwards towards the mouth of the Urchay, but also 

 make their resorts in the bay and creeks, where rocks 

 and shelter-places are abundant; as for the native 

 trout, they are found in various parts of the loch, 

 according to the situation of the feeding-grounds. 



The principal feeder of Loch Awe, indeed the only 

 one of any note, is the Urchay, which issues from a 

 small lake in the upland part of its glen, and after a 

 course of sixteen miles, empties itself into its larger 

 depot, not far from Caolchurn Castle. It is a favourite 

 resort of salmon, and there are several good pools for 

 the rod close to the inn at Dalmally, which, I believe, 

 are rented by the landlord for the convenience of those 

 frequenting his house. Besides Dalmally, the inns at 

 Cladish, Portsonachon, and Bunaw, afford excellent 

 accommodation. 



The salmon and trout-fishings in the parish of Glen- 

 urchy yielded, in 1843, about three hundred pounds 

 per annum. These include the Awe fishings, or at 

 least the larger part of them, as well as those of the 

 Urchay and lake. 



I have already, in my chapter on salmon-flies, de- 

 scribed the lures of this description used in the Urchay 

 and river Awe, and have introduced into my lists of 

 favourites, under the name of the black dragon, a hook 

 originally adapted with killing effect to the latter river, 

 when in a reduced state ; I have here only to mention 

 that the merit of its contrivance is due to Colonel 

 Robertson, an excellent and indefatigable salmon- 

 fisher, who is well acquainted with the rivers in that 



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