DISCOLOURED STATE OF WATER. 143 



always had the best sport before the river cleared. I 

 suppose it was in shallow streams ; because it is evident 

 that salmon, who always lie at the bottom of the river, 

 or on the edge of a rock near it, could not see the fly 

 at any great depth when the waters were turbid. It 

 must be observed, however, that in more shallow places, 

 where they can distinguish it, there is a great difference 

 between a newly run fish and one that has been some 

 time in the river ; the new one being wild and gamesome, 

 and ignorant of the ways of the world, and the other 

 the very emblem of prudence, and an admirer of the 

 old adage, M Always look before you leap." It is difficult 

 to express by words the exact state of the water I wish 

 to allude to : if it is only moss-stained good sport may be 

 had with clean fish, but there must be a certain degree 

 of transparency. 



The upper parts of the Tweed come into order for 

 being fished much sooner than those below, and this in 

 proportion to the depth and volume of water. 



It must be owned that fish may occasionally be 

 caught in turbid, and even full water; but then it must 

 be by a perfect change of system. At such a time the 

 strong streams and usual salmon casts are useless ; and 

 you must throw in the easy cheeks near the land, and in 

 the tails of the streams, where the fish rest in travelling. 

 In this way I once caught five salmon in the Pavilion- 

 water from off the shore, unattended even by a man 

 with a cleik; whilst my friend, who fished above me in 

 the finest streams in the water, with a boat and all 

 appliances and means to boot, did not rise a single fish ; 

 not from want of skill — for it was Lord Somerville — but 



