244 DAYS AND NIGHTS OF SALMON FISHING. 



of a much firmer hold of the hook, not breaking like 

 the soft parts of the minnow. 



Glean salmon will take this bait whenever the river 

 is in order for the fly, or perhaps a little before it is so, 

 even when the water is slightly discoloured, or, as the 

 fishermen call it, drumly. But foul fish, including 

 kelts, never take it well in the upper parts of the 

 Tweed, unless the water is clear, though they will take 

 it in a drumly water in the Tay ; nor can any sport 

 be expected with it in very warm weather. 



The best state of the water, and the most convenient 

 time, is between the fly and bait fishing ; that is, when 

 it is rather too low for the one, but not low enough 

 for the other. The best weather is a fresh day, with 

 wind to act upon the surface of the deep pools. In 

 summer the proper hour is early in the morning. After 

 a night's burning, salmon take the minnow, small parr, 

 or parr's tail, particularly well in the streams. 



The best way of casting the minnow is precisely 

 that which I have indicated in my instructions for 

 fishing with the worm. 



As in a deer forest, however extensive, every burn, 

 rock, glen, moss, and mountain has its distinct appella- 

 tion, so that you can describe with the greatest accuracy 

 where a hart has been slain, or any signal event has 

 happened ; so in a salmon river, every stream and pool 

 in which these delectable fish lie is called by a name 

 that either distinguishes its character, or relates to some 

 event or circumstance which tradition has not always 

 preserved. Some casts are called after the names of 

 persons who were drowned in them : there is one such, 



