54 



There are long deep pools in which, large fish may 

 always he found ; and even in the clearest weather, 

 and when the river is very low, if there he a good 

 breeze from any quarter of the compass, a hasket of 

 fish may he readily taken. As the stream widens, 

 it becomes less manageable unless by wading, a 

 thing we do not by any means recommend to the 

 tourist, except he be well fortified by habit, and a 

 strong constitution. 



The tributary called the Avon enters the chief 

 river at Hamilton. It has a circuitous run of 

 about twenty miles, through a somewhat cold and 

 ungenial country. It has several small feeders in 

 its higher localities, in all of which there is an abun- 

 dance of small trout, which are often taken in pro- 

 fuse abundance of summer rains, and principally by 

 the worm. The entire banks of the Avon are 

 delightfully picturesque and beautiful, and abound 

 with those abrupt and grotesque peeps into dells and 

 groves, in which the pencil of the artist loves to 

 dwell. As a fishing stream, it is not, on the whole, 

 of much value. Its waters generally get so low in 

 the summer months, that little or nothing can be 

 effected with the fly ; red worm, in the still pools 

 and shady avenues of the river, being the only bait 

 that can be used with any chance of success. 



Passing down the Clyde from Hamilton, where its 

 streams are for some distance strictly preserved, we 

 come to the beautiful neighbourhood of Eothwell 

 Castle, so full of historical recollections of ancient 

 date, and stirring interest. The river is splendidly 



