424 THE RIVERS OF THE SOLWAY FIRTH. 



The ANNAN, which has its sources in the same hill 

 with Tweed and Clyde, is met below Moffat by the 

 Evan and Moffat waters, at a height of about three 

 hundred and fifty feet above the sea level.* As an 

 angling stream, it is much superior to both the Nith 

 and Esk rivers. The common trout of this river attain 

 to a large size, and although the average weight is not 

 above half-a-pound, they have been caught as heavy as 

 five or six pounds. My friend, George Graham Bell, 

 Esq., of Castle O'er, has frequently, with the minnow, 

 when the streams were clear and small, taken an im- 

 mense pannierful of large trout from the Annan water. 



* An able and enthusiastic angler, John Trotter, Esq., Sheriff Sub- 

 stitute, Dumfriesshire, has favoured me with the following details 

 respecting the Nith and Annan, and the salmon-flies most approved of 

 for these rivers : 



" The best casts for salmon on the Nith extend from Friar's Carse 

 to Drumlanrig, and of these the Forest-head, the Porter's-hole, the 

 Red-brow, the Scaur-foot, the Boat-pool, the Loch Wharry, and the 

 Drumlanrig streams, from Thornhill-bridge upwards, may be enume- 

 rated. There are two most excellent inns at Thornhill, from which access 

 to all these casts is easy. The following are the favourite salmon-flies : 

 First Body, next the head of the hook one-eighth of an inch yellow pig's 

 wool ; next that, a quarter of an inch light brown wool ; above that, half 

 an inch marl of peacock's feather ; head very dark brown or black wool ; 

 hackle red, black at top : tarnished (not bright) gold twist ; wings, red 

 turkey, with yellow or white tip ; underwings, grey turkey or teal, or 

 pea-hen. This is the most general and deadly fly for summer. Second 

 Body, same as above ; wings, red gledd with under-wings of bar- 

 gledd. This is also good during summer. Third Body, same as above ; 

 wings, pea-hen and grey turkey mixed. This is the usual fly for autumn. 



" ANNAN. The fishings, except from Mount Annan downwards, are 

 all in the hands of the proprietors. The best casts for the rod are on 

 the estates of Jardine Hall, Halleath, Kirkwood, Murraythwaite, Castle- 

 Milk, and Hoddam Castle. The same general character of fly is used 

 here as on Nith. There is an excellent inn (King's Arms) at Lockerby, 

 from which the best casts can easily be reached. 



" The Vendace in the Castle Loch, Loch Maben, are fished for once a 

 year by the Vendace Club, an association of Dumfriesshire gentlemen." 



