76 AN ANGLER'S RAMBLES 



its deservings. The lowest stretch of it, extending from Gask 

 downwards, is almost useless for rod-fishing ; nor in the choicest 

 parts of its course are the fresh-water trout either large or 

 numerous, at least they were not so in 1842, or in previous 

 years, as far back as 1833. In 1861, when I last visited 

 them, the season being advanced, I restricted myself to salmon- 

 fishing, and meeting with some encouragement, did not trouble 

 the haunts of the fario, so had no opportunity of forming an 

 opinion respecting them. 



The Earn in July is freely entered by the Salmo albus, or 

 whitling. Half-a-dozen of these fishes, however, averaging from 

 1 Ib. to 3 Ibs., are considered an excellent day's take in its casts. 

 On some of our northern rivers it would be looked upon as a 

 very indifferent one. I never, it appears from my journal, got 

 up to that mark in the immediate neighbourhood of Crieff ; for 

 although I have spent several months on the banks of the Earn, 

 and was always on the look-out for a favourable opportunity, it 

 was at no time my good fortune to find the river in first-rate trim 

 for whitling fishing. A brace or two of these silvery boys, how- 

 ever, I added now and then to the contents of my creel, and felt 

 as much satisfaction in securing them, under the disadvantages 

 just mentioned, as I have since felt, fortuna favente, in the cap- 

 ture of a couple of stone of sea-trout. 



THE ANGLER'S DELIGHTS. 



i. 



OH ! who that feels the joyous throb which the angler's bosom 

 stirreth, 



To the flowery stream-side hieing, 

 When vernal winds are flying, 



Would envy all that fortune with her fickle hand confer- 

 reth? 



