THE TWEED AT DRYBURGH. 285 



been an occupant of the pool for three or four weeks ; 

 and the hazard, be it noted, is always greater when 

 the river is at its minimum size than when it is full 

 and discoloured. In the former case, the fish may be 

 supposed to have acquired an acquaintance with the 

 strong and secure points round about its temporary 

 residence, and be in a condition to avail itself of 

 them accordingly ; whereas, when there is an extra 

 pressure of water upon the hold, and the medium 

 through which the salmon's powers of \ision have to 

 be exerted happens to be altered from transparency 

 to semi-opaqueness, the effect of these changes upon 

 a hooked fish, after the first burst, is to bewilder and 

 dishearten it, or at any rate to render improbable its 

 bringing to bear any resources, save its natural 

 strength and activity, against the skill of the well- 

 appointed angler. 



Immediately above the Hare Crag, we come upon 

 a piece of shifty water enclosing an islet, or rather an 

 accumulation of gravel, studded here and there with 

 stunted willows, which occupies space to the extent 

 of two or three acres. There the principal force of 

 the river is directed towards the south bank ; but the 

 branch in question is of too rapid a character to 

 admit of being fished successfully before the end of 

 May. It is not salmon water, nor is it fished as 

 such ; but no doubt, in the lower part of it, a mi- 

 gratory fish is occasionally taken by means of trout- 



