LOWEE WATEES OF THE WHITADDEE. 121 



CHAPTEE VII, 



THE LOWEE WATEES OF THE WHITADDEE. 



AT Preston Mill and Haugh the river escapes from the wild, 

 rocky, mountainous country, entering the beautiful valley in which 

 the Tweed runs. The richest fields succeed the barren waste ; 

 woodlands, orchards, and highly-cultivated grounds bespeak 

 wealth and comfort. The river itself partakes of the character 

 of the country, running in gentle streams over a pebbly bed, 

 alternating with long reaches of still water. The angler who 

 would fish these streams successfully should sleep at Dunse, and 

 starting early, in choice angling weather, make for the Whitadder. 

 Preston Mill is about three miles from Dunse, and he may com- 

 mence there should he think fit, but I have never fished the 

 river from Preston to Broomhouse Paper-mill ; from this to the 

 embouchure of the river in Tweed it is otherwise : I know every 

 stream and pool every rock and scarbrae. 



"The evening's clear : 

 Thick flies the skimming swallow ; 

 The sky is blue, the fields in view, 



All fading green and yellow." 



Let us suppose that the angler has decided on commencing 

 below the Mill-dam, and fishing down the stream : that it is 

 August, or the beginning of September, warm, close, and sultry: 

 that heavy rains have swollen the river, making it dark, rapid, 

 and dangerous to cross. Approaching the stream cautiously, and 

 spinning a small minnow, or temptingthe finny brood with a couple 

 of large-sized hackle flies, he is likely to hook a large trout or sea 

 trout, or whitling at once. But even without this good luck at 

 starting, by careful fishing, he can scarcely fail to fill his basket 

 with large-sized trout by the time he reaches the bridge and road 

 leading to Chirnside. He will find Chirnside a pleasant resting- 

 place : the country between the village and the river is beautifully 

 wooded. 



Returning next morning to the bridge just spoken of, the angler 

 enters on a remarkable portion of the river. Without a known. 



