AM) ANGLING SONGS. 1 03 



a favourable season, the rod-fishing for salmon in autumn is 

 superior to any which is to be obtained throughout Perthshire. 

 By the words 'favourable season,' however, as applied to rod- 

 fishing for salmon in that particular district, must be understood 

 a course of wet weather, and a consequent succession of floods, 

 by means of which the fish may be assisted up to the spawning- 

 grounds with which this defile abounds. 



From the inn at Cushieville I fished down Tay to Aberfeldy, 

 and crossing Weem Bridge, re-ascended the river on the opposite 

 side, with the view of reaching and holding in command points 

 of effect bearing on the scenery round about Kenmore. In re- 

 gard to the attractions which Aberfeldy offers to the angler, they 

 are on a level with those presented by a great many Perthshire 

 towns or villages, such, for instance, as Crieff, Dunkeld, Blair- 

 gowrie, and Pitlochrie : a loch or two within walking distance, 

 a river indifferently stocked with trout, and, in regard to salmon- 

 fishing, even when it can be .commanded, not to be depended 

 upon ; a few streamlets charged with lean, hungry fry help to 

 make them up. In one of the lochs near Moness, Loch Oyl by 

 name, I fished in 1853, and caught some dozens of trout. These 

 were not large, but red-fleshed, and held in esteem on account of 

 their goodness. The Tay, here and there in that neighbourhood, 

 and especially about Grantully, presents the eye with some fine 

 salmon-casts. In summer, however, these are not to be relied 

 on, except under conditions of water very different from those 

 which are sought for on Tweedside. This is the case with most 

 of our Highland streams. They require constant floods to keep 

 them in angling trim, whereas the finest stretches of our Border 

 rivers fish best when they have resumed their ordinary size and 

 transparency. In that part of Tay also which I refer to, salmon 

 do not appear to take with kindliness to their fresh-water habita- 

 tions. Such an extent of captivating water, did it present itself 



