70 AN ANGLER'S RAMBLES 



that, in point of abundance, as well as size, the trout of Tay will 

 not bear comparison with those of Tweed. To account for this 

 striking superiority which the Border river maintains over every 

 other running water in Great Britain, one has only to consider 

 the extent and quality of its breeding and rearing grounds, the 

 beautiful adjustment of stream and pool preserved to it through- 

 out its course, and the unfailing supply of food and shelter 

 accorded by every part of its alveus. 



A further drawback to the increase of trout in the Tay is the 

 presence of pike in considerable numbers. The haunts of these 

 fish are of course chiefly restricted to the very sluggish stretches 

 of the river, and to its pertinents, in the shape of bye-water ; but, 

 even so limited, the damage accruing to the fry, both of trout 

 and salmon, from this source of injury must be very extensive. 



As to the habits of the lucius, one or two errors prevail. It is 

 maintained, for instance, that, forming an attachment to this or 

 that particular spot, the pike invariably lays itself under a kind 

 of arrest, or honourable restraint, in regard to the sphere of its 

 depredations. That on the discovery of very snug and delectable 

 quarters, it will, like the spider, be content to do so, I am well 

 aware ; but I have come, from personal observation, to the con- 

 clusion that this hole-and-corner life is not in accordance with 

 the usual habits of the fish, and that it is more inclined to act 

 the rover, to shift its haunts, and occasionally to engage in a 

 lengthened chase or foray. Instances of this propensity in the 

 pike are occasionally met with in connexion with Tweed, during 

 the descent of the smolts in April and May. Two or three very 

 remarkable ones were communicated to me not many years ago 

 by an eye-witness. At a distance of five or six miles from any 

 habitat known as such of these fish, and at a central point on 

 the netting stations, within tidal influence, several pike were 

 taken on the trail of the salmon fry, by means of the usual weir- 

 shot net. These, it is supposed, had followed the smolts, which 



